2023 Night of Champions Award Winners

By Evan Midford, Website & Social Media Coordinator

Once again, Sport Manitoba is proud to be recognizing the top athlete, team, coach, official, and volunteer of the year at our annual Night of Champions.

This special event is a celebration of the highest achievements Manitobans have made in amateur sport last year. The nominees are athletes and teams garnering national and international attention, devoted volunteers dedicating their time, officials guaranteeing decorum and fair play, and coaches leading and mentoring the next generation of champions.

Reinvesting in amateur sport is one of Sport Manitoba’s top priorities. One of the ways we give back is by hosting events like this — that recognize the dedication, passion, and commitment that contribute to our thriving sport system.

In a twist on the traditional gala-style program, this year’s event will be an intimate invite-only event for the winners, their families and friends. Each award winner will receive a bursary to put towards furthering their involvement in sport, and a banner with their name and award will be hung at the Sport Manitoba facility.

Official of the Year

Trevis Boyd – Speed Skating – Winnipeg

Trevis is a respected speed skating official at the provincial, national, and international level. Having officiated for over 20 years, he continues to share his knowledge and act as a mentor for aspiring officials across Canada, treating them, as well as all of his speed skating events, with professionalism and respect.

Having already received the 2022 Official of the Year award from Speed Skating Canada, Trevis’s 2022 season was highlighted by having the honour of officiating at the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing. Trevis is a world-class official, a strong leader, and a perfect ambassador for the sport of speed skating in Canada and around the globe.

Athlete of the Year

Madisson Lawrence – Athletics – Winnipeg

2022 was a dominant competition year for Madi. She shattered a 33-year-old Canada Summer Games record in heptathlon, set a provincial record in heptathlon, was ranked #1 in the province in outdoor events (high jump, long jump, hurdles, and heptathlon), and she made Manitoba’s all-time top 10 rankings list in four events: #4 in 60m hurdles, #3 in 100m hurdles, #3 in long jump, and #1 in heptathlon. All this, after an accident sidelined her in September 2021, leaving her unable to train for close to four months.

She also competed in the North America Central America and Caribbean Championshipsv and Senior National Championships and was recognized as Manitoba’s flag bearer at the closing ceremonies of 2022 Canada Summer Games.

Photo Credit: University of Manitoba

Canada Games Legacy Fund Volunteer of the Year

Stephen Ceslak – Baseball – La Salle

Stephen is a dedicated volunteer, organizer, and coach. He has been instrumental in supporting the development of baseball in La Salle at the grassroots level for years, bringing a passion for the game and a passion for his community.

Stephen went above and beyond in 2022, helping raise upwards of $234,000 for the community of La Salle and the Macdonald Minor Ball Association. This included leading a successful Jays Care Foundation grant application, which secured $85,000 in funding for diamond improvements and upgrades, and assisting in acquiring a $77,000 sustainability grant. On top of that, Stephen was responsible for raising tens of thousands of dollars from local businesses and donors and organized multiple fundraising tournaments.

As president of MacDonald Minor Baseball, Stephen also coached several successful youth teams as well as undertook convening the 11U A league and playoffs and organizing the winter baseball program for his club. Additionally, he is coordinating the entire diamond renovation process. His commitment to growing the game of baseball, improving facilities, and developing better ball players makes him a deserving recipient of the Canada Games Legacy Fund Volunteer of the Year award.

Coach of the Year

Janine Stephens – Rowing – Winnipeg

In 2022, Janine coached with the National Team at the World Championships in the Racice, Czechia; the provincial team at the National Rowing Championships in North Cowichan, BC; and lead Team Manitoba to personal and team-best performances at the Canada Summer Games in Niagara, ON. Janine is a two-time Olympian and dedicates herself to the development, success, and excellence of her athletes.

Janine’s coaching philosophy stresses the importance of being yourself and of working hard to achieve a goal, creating a safe and enjoyable space for people to be successful athletes and people.

Calm Air Team of the Year

Team Einarson – Curling – Gimli

Team Einarson had a tremendous 2022 season. After winning the two previous Canadian Scotties Tournament of Hearts National Championships in 2020 and 2021, the pressure was on Team Einarson to win a third title in a row. Going undefeated in their pool, they lost one seeding game but carried on to win the tournament, becoming three-time Scotties Champions.

They carried that success forward as the home team at the Women’s World Championships, where they won a bronze medal. They also won the Grand Slam of Curling Champions Cup.