March 28, 2007 (Toronto, Ontario) – The True Sport Foundation officially announced the winners of the 34th Annual Canadian Sport Awards (CSA), presented by Investors Group, at an awards ceremony co-hosted by Sport Manitoba at the University of Manitoba’s Investors Group Athletic Centre in Winnipeg. Today’s awards event was a celebration honouring the athletes and leaders who competed and inspired hope throughout the 2006 calendar year.

Hosted by CBC Sportscaster, Mike Beaureguard and Team Canada Women’s Hockey Goaltender Sami Jo Small, the ceremony brought together leaders from the sport and corporate communities who represent the pinnacle of commitment and competition in the world of Canadian amateur sport. The show was open to the public and spectators and sport lovers had a chance to watch/meet their favourite athletes following the ceremony.

2006 Olympic Skeleton Gold Medal Winner Duff Gibson took home honours for Male Athlete of the Year, while Canada’s Speed Skating sensation Cindy Klassen was awarded Female Athlete of the Year for the second year in a row.

Stefan Guay, Canadian Alpine Ski Team athlete and Kirsten Sweetland, first ever Canadian female to win the Junior World Triathlon Championships (2006), were named winners of the Junior Male and Female Athlete of the Year categories respectively.

Male Team of the Year went to World Men’s Curling Championship Team (Team Gushue) and Female Team of the Year to the Canada’s Women’s Olympic Gold Medal Hockey Team. The Partners of the Year Award went to Pierre Lueders and Lascelles Brown for Bobsleigh.

“It is an honour to congratulate these athletes and sport leaders, on behalf of the True Sport Foundation, for their achievements and contribution to Canadian amateur sport,” said Victor Lachance, Chair of the Board, The True Sport Foundation. “Their courage, perseverance and hard work is a shining example for all of us.”

Continued Lachance: “We would also like to thank the fine city of Winnipeg for its enthusiasm and for opening its doors to embrace this event and Canada’s athletic community.”

Among the winners today, Olympic Gold medalist Speedskater Clara Anne Hughes was honoured for her contribution to the international humanitarian organization Right to Play. Hughes was awarded the Investors Group Spirit of Sport Story of the Year. This award recognizes a Canadian sporting hero or group who, in the pursuit of sporting excellence, has demonstrated values such as dedication, perseverance, sportsmanship, respect for others and a true love of sport in 2006. Canada’s most successful cross country skier and Right to Play Ambassador Beckie Scott was honoured with the Athlete Leadership Award, recognizing outstanding contribution to the betterment of sport in 2006.

“Investors Group applauds the winners of The Canadian Sport Awards, as well as all of the finalists, for their determination and contribution to sport in Canada,” said Richard Irish, Assistant Vice-President, Community Affairs and Area Marketing, Investors Group. “It has been a true pleasure to have the premier recognition event for sporting excellence in Winnipeg, our corporate home city.”

The winners were chosen by an independent jury from among finalists in the following categories: Athletic Performance, Leadership in Sport, Corporate Excellence, Investors Group Spirit of Sport Story of the Year and True Sport Community Award.

Winners of the 34th Annual Canadian Sport Awards

ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE AWARDS:

This year’s winners in the Athletic Performance category for the 34th Annual Canadian Sport Awards, recognizing and celebrating outstanding athletic performance in 2006, are:

Male Athlete of the YearFemale Athlete of the YearJunior Male Athlete of the YearJunior Female Athlete of the YearMale Team of the YearFemale Team of the YearPartners of the Year
Pierre Lueders/Lascelles Brown, Bobsleigh

LEADERSHIP AWARDS:

The winners in the Leadership Awards category for the 34th Annual Canadian Annual Sport Awards, recognizing and celebrating an individual’s outstanding contribution to the betterment of sport in 2006, are:

Athlete Leadership Award Volunteer Achievement AwardLeadership in Sport Award Coach of the YearNational Team Support
Pacific Custom Brokers

Individual Athlete Support
Hudson’s Bay Company

National Initiative Support
BMO Financial Group

TRUE SPORT COMMUNITY AWARD

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Baker Lake, Nunavut
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Hamilton, Ontario
*
Richmond, British Columbia

INVESTORS GROUP SPIRIT OF SPORT STORY OF THE YEAR

The winner of the Investors Group Spirit of Sport Story of the Year Award for the 34th Annual Canadian Annual Sport Awards, recognizing a Canadian hero who, in the pursuit of sporting excellence, has demonstrated values such as dedication, perseverance, sportsmanship, respect for others and a true love of sport in 2006, is:

Clara Anne Hughes, Winnipeg, Manitoba

The CSA brings together leaders from the sporting and corporate communities who represent the pinnacle of commitment and competition: Canadian amateur athletes, coaches, sport leaders and volunteers. The annual event promotes sporting excellence across Canada, and reminds Canadians how sport lifts the human spirit. It is a tribute to the hard work, the dedication and the victories of our country’s finest athletes.

About the True Sport Foundation
The True Sport Foundation is a charitable organization committed to ensuring that sport makes a positive contribution to Canadian society, athletes and the physical and moral development of Canada’s youth. Managed by the Foundation, the Canadian Sport Awards boasts a strong relationship with its modern day founding partners, which include Athletes CAN, the Commonwealth Games Association of Canada, the Canada Games and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport. For more information about the Canadian Sport Awards, please visit www.canadiansportawards.ca.

About Investors Group
Investors Group Inc. is a Canadian leader in providing personal financial planning services, and is dedicated to building lasting client relationships. Their primary objective is to assist Canadians plan for financial security by providing quality financial planning advice and products through a network of Consultants. For more information, visit www.investorsgroup.com.

About Sport Manitoba
The home of amateur sport in the province of Manitoba, Sport Manitoba is the lead planning, programming and funding agency for the development of amateur sport in Manitoba. The primary focus of Sport Manitoba is on the development of athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers. Visit the website at www.sportmanitoba.ca.