The Athlete of the Year Award, based solely on achievements during the 2026 calendar year, will recognize an athlete from the Niagara Region who has demonstrated exceptional achievement and performance in their sport. The recipient will have distinguished themselves through athletic excellence while demonstrating outstanding leadership, sportsmanship, dedication, and commitment. They will also serve as a positive role model, inspiring others in the community to pursue excellence in sport at the recreational or competitive level.

Eligibility & Selection: Nominees must have a meaningful connection to the Niagara Region. Selection will be based on achievements during the 2026 calendar year, including competitive results, level of competition, leadership, sportsmanship, and positive impact within their sport and community.

The Athlete of the Year Award, based solely on achievements during the 2026 calendar year, will recognize an athlete from the Niagara Region who has demonstrated exceptional achievement and performance in their sport. The recipient will have distinguished themselves through athletic excellence while demonstrating outstanding leadership, sportsmanship, dedication, and commitment. They will also serve as a positive role model, inspiring others in the community to pursue excellence in sport at the recreational or competitive level.

Eligibility & Selection: Nominees must have a meaningful connection to the Niagara Region. Selection will be based on achievements during the 2026 calendar year, including competitive results, level of competition, leadership, sportsmanship, and positive impact within their sport and community.

The Para-Athlete of the Year Award, based solely on achievements during the 2026 calendar year, will recognize a para-athlete from the Niagara Region who has demonstrated exceptional achievement and performance in their sport, either within Niagara or while representing the region at the regional, provincial, national, or international level.
The recipient will have demonstrated dedication, perseverance, sportsmanship, and a positive attitude throughout their sport season while serving as an inspiring representative of their sport and the Niagara community.

Eligibility & Selection: Nominees must have a meaningful connection to the Niagara Region. Selection will be based on achievements during the 2026 calendar year, including competitive results, level of competition, dedication, sportsmanship, leadership, and positive impact within their sport and community.

The Para-Athlete of the Year Award, based solely on achievements during the 2026 calendar year, will recognize a para-athlete from the Niagara Region who has demonstrated exceptional achievement and performance in their sport, either within Niagara or while representing the region at the regional, provincial, national, or international level.
The recipient will have demonstrated dedication, perseverance, sportsmanship, and a positive attitude throughout their sport season while serving as an inspiring representative of their sport and the Niagara community.

Eligibility & Selection: Nominees must have a meaningful connection to the Niagara Region. Selection will be based on achievements during the 2026 calendar year, including competitive results, level of competition, dedication, sportsmanship, leadership, and positive impact within their sport and community.

The Team of the Year Award, based solely on achievements during the 2026 calendar year, will recognize a team from the Niagara Region that has demonstrated exceptional achievement, performance, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
Eligible teams may compete in a local recreational or competitive league or represent the Niagara Region at the provincial, national, or international level. The award is open to sports recognized as team sports by their respective Provincial Sport Organization (PSO), including teams of two or more athletes.
The recipient team will have demonstrated outstanding commitment, dedication, teamwork, and pride while serving as a positive example within the Niagara sport community.

Eligibility & Selection: Teams must be based in or meaningfully represent the Niagara Region. Selection will be based on achievements during the 2026 calendar year, including competitive results, level of competition, teamwork, sportsmanship, and positive representation of the Niagara sport community.

The Team of the Year Award, based solely on achievements during the 2026 calendar year, will recognize a team from the Niagara Region that has demonstrated exceptional achievement, performance, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
Eligible teams may compete in a local recreational or competitive league or represent the Niagara Region at the provincial, national, or international level. The award is open to sports recognized as team sports by their respective Provincial Sport Organization (PSO), including teams of two or more athletes.
The recipient team will have demonstrated outstanding commitment, dedication, teamwork, and pride while serving as a positive example within the Niagara sport community.

Eligibility & Selection: Teams must be based in or meaningfully represent the Niagara Region. Selection will be based on achievements during the 2026 calendar year, including competitive results, level of competition, teamwork, sportsmanship, and positive representation of the Niagara sport community.

The Champion | Sport Builder Award, based solely on contributions during the 2026 calendar year, will recognize an individual who has demonstrated outstanding commitment and made a significant contribution to sport in the Niagara Region.
The recipient will have strengthened sport within the community through their leadership, dedication, service, or volunteerism. Their contributions will have created meaningful opportunities for athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, and community members to participate in and experience the benefits of organized sport.

Eligibility & Selection: Nominees must have made a meaningful contribution to sport within the Niagara Region. Selection will consider contributions during the 2026 calendar year, including leadership, service, volunteerism, innovation, community impact, and the creation or enhancement of opportunities for others to participate in sport.

The Champion | Coach Sport Ambassador Award, based solely on achievements and contributions during the 2026 calendar year, will recognize a coach from the Niagara Region who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and achievement in coaching.
The recipient will have made a meaningful contribution to their athletes and sport while serving as an inspirational and motivational leader. Through their commitment to fair play, sportsmanship, teamwork, and athlete development, they will have positively influenced both their sport and the broader Niagara sport community.

Eligibility & Selection: Nominees must coach within or meaningfully represent the Niagara Region. Selection will consider achievements and contributions during the 2026 calendar year, including athlete development, leadership, sportsmanship, mentorship, and positive impact on their sport and community.