Scholarships
Sport Manitoba offers student athletes in Manitoba scholarship programs to assist them in their academics while pursuing their participation in sport.
February 6, 2009
At last night's annual Duckworth Volleyball Challenge Sport Manitoba announced it's annual Princess Royal Pan Am Scholarship Winners. The Province of Manitoba also announced the University of Manitoba Vanier Cup Bison Scholarship Winners. Read about the winners of both scholarships below.
Sport Manitoba Awards Princess Royal Pan Am Scholarships to Flett and Geyson
Artistic Gymnast Sarah Flett and National Diving Team member Kevin Geyson and have been selected by Sport Manitoba to receive the 2009 Princess Royal Pan Am Scholarships.
The Princess Royal Pan Am Scholarship Endowment Fund provides two annual scholarships of $3000 each to a male and female high performance athlete enrolled in a post secondary institution in Manitoba. Selection is based on an athlete's sport and academic standing.
Although Sarah considers herself a bit of an underdog, she is currently a leading member of Manitoba’s Artistic Gymnastics team and has demonstrated an ability to compete among the best in Canada. In 2007 Sarah represented Manitoba at the Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse, where she made two event finals. Sarah won a gold medal on beam at the 2007 National Championships in the Open category. In 2008, Sarah qualified as a high performance Senior at the Elite Canada Competition. Sara ended the 2008 season ranked 10th in the country.
Sarah has turned down many scholarship offers from colleges in the United States. Sarah says, “I am surrounded by amazing people that first and foremost are concerned with my well being and happiness. The relationship between my coaches and I is rare in a way that I can’t even describe. I wouldn’t trade it for a million dollars.”
Sarah will be putting the $3000 scholarship towards achieving her academic and sporting goals. “This scholarship would be awesome to receive and would contribute hugely to helping me achieve my academic and sporting goals.”
Kevin Geyson is a Winnipeg-born diver with the Pan Am Diving Club. His career highlights are many so here are just a few:
* 2008 - Winter Senior National Championships - Silver on 10M Synchro (Lachance)
* 2007 - Summer Senior National Championships - Bronze on 10M
* 2006 - Summer Senior National Championships - 6th on 1M, 8th on 3M, Silver on 10M
* 2006 - Commonwealth Games - 5th on 3M Synchro (Cam McLean)
* 2006 - German Grand Prix - 12th on 10M
Kevin’s international accomplishments have also brought him scholarship offers from colleges in the United States. Choosing to stay in Canada has meant additional financial strains for Kevin. “Because of the sport I’m in, there are no athletic scholarships here in Canada so as a result my financial situation makes it harder for me to achieve my goals.” Between training, competition, school, and volunteering, Kevin is barely able to maintain a part-time job. “With all this on my plate, I am only able to work part-time, so becoming the recipient of this award would help a lot to lighten the load.”
Kevin graduated from Vincent Massey Collegiate French Immersion Program with Honours and in spring 2008 on the Dean’s honour list with a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science from the University of Manitoba. He is now in the Athletic Therapy program where he currently is working towards his certification.
The Princess Royal Pan Am Scholarship was established as a legacy of the 1999 Pan American Games to provide financial support for Manitoba's high performance athletes while commemorating the Manitoba visit of Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal in 1999.
Province of Manitoba Awards U of M Vanier Cup Bison Scholarships to Worsnop and Voth
Soccer player Lesley Wornsop and Volleyball player Christopher Voth have been selected to receive the University of Manitoba Vanier Cup Bison Scholarships. The University of Manitoba Vanier Cup Bison Scholarship consists of two awards valued at $5,000 each. The scholarship will be awarded to one male and one female. Selection is based on an athlete’s sport and academic standing as well as their volunteer commitment to amateur sport.
Lesley’s list of accomplishments includes gold medals for the 2007 Winnipeg Women’s Premier Soccer League, 2008 Indoor Winnipeg Women’s Premier League and the 2008 John Talley U19 Showcase Tournament in Memphis, Tennessee. Lesley also has a silver medal from the 2007 U18 Provincial Club Championship. Worsnop enjoys being part of a team and is currently training and competing as a member of the University of Manitoba Bison’s Women’s Soccer Team. “Although I am proud of my accomplishments, I consider myself to be a team player first, and always go out of my way to encourage and help my teammates.”
A strong multi-sport athlete growing up, Lesley was named Springfield Collegiate Athlete of the Year seven years straight while graduating with a 94% average. She continues to volunteer in her hometown. “When I have the opportunity, I also enjoy helping to coach youth soccer in my community. I assisted with player evaluations for the U12 Eastman Soccer Team in preparation for the 2008 Power Smart Manitoba Summer Games,” says Worsnop. Outside of sport Lesley has spent time volunteering as a peer tutor and at Siloam Mission.
Another multi-sport athlete, Chris Voth has competed in varsity badminton, basketball, track and cross-country. For his accomplishments Chris was named the AAAA High School Athlete of the Year, Provincial Volleyball MVP and the Fr Barry Connolly SJ Athlete of the Year for a St. Paul’s graduating student. During his 2008 Volleyball season, Chris played in the U18 Nationals for both Volleyball and Beach Volleyball, where his team medaled at both events. At Volleyball Nationals, Chris was named to the all-star team. Chris is currently playing left side for the University of Manitoba Bison Volleyball team. 
Chris has also excelled off the court, graduating St. Pauls High School with a 92.5% average and co-coaching an U15 Bison Club Volleyball team to a gold medal the 2008 National Championships. “It was a great feeling to pass on our knowledge and experience to a younger generation and see it pay off with a national win.”
In recognition of the University of Manitoba’s Bison 2007 Vanier Cup Championship win, the Province of Manitoba implemented the University of Manitoba Vanier Cup Bison Scholarships. The win represents the first Vanier Cup win for the University since 1970. This is the only year these scholarships will be awarded.
