AWARDS GALA & HALL OF FAME CELEBRATION
We’re excited to announce the return of one of the most anticipated events of the year: the 2025 Awards Gala & Hall of Fame Celebration, taking place this fall with a refreshed look.
We heard your feedback, and this year’s event has been redesigned to be more cost-effective, time-friendly, and just as inspiring. It will be an afternoon that brings our community together to celebrate achievement, connection, and recognition.
EVENT DETAILS
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Date: Saturday, November 8th, 2025
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Time: 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
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Venue: Centennial College | 941 Progress Ave. | Scarborough, ON | M1G 3T8
WHAT TO EXPECT
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Hall of Fame Class of 2025 induction
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Athlete of the Year & Special Recognition
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Delicious appetizers and a 50/50 raffle
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Inspiring moments with friends and colleagues
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Opportunities to connect, and maybe even meet an Olympian or two
NEW THIS YEAR: Award winners will be announced in advance of the event!
Get your tickets (coming soon)! Capacity is limited, so mark your calendar and be ready to secure your spot.
Join us as we celebrate excellence, honour achievements, and come together for an unforgettable afternoon at the 2025 Awards Gala & Hall of Fame Celebration.
BREAKDOWN OF AWARDS
Athlete of the Year Awards will be presented to the best athletes, male and female, in each Athletics Ontario age division, as well as Para, as determined by the Awards Committee.
NOTE: Awards will not be awarded if the Committee feels that the criteria was not met in a category.
A single award will be presented in the following categories:-
Coach
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Official
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Volunteer
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Media
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Special Recognition
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U14, U16, U18 & U20 & Masters Athletes: September 18th, 2025
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Non-Athlete Awards (i.e. Official, Volunteer, Nyron Higgins Excellence in Athlete Development and Coaching Award (NHEADCA), Other Special Award / Media / Breakthrough): September 18th, 2025
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Open Athletes: September 23rd, 2025
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Para Athletes: October 7th, 2025
Click HERE for 2025 nomination form
NOTE: Late submissions will not be reviewed.
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The number of nominations to be selected annually shall be determined by the AO Awards Committee and represent all contributors and athletes within all disciplines (track and field, distance / road running, cross country and Para) and supporting roles (officials, coaches, volunteers, media, sponsors, etc.).
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To be considered, nominees must be a registered AO Member of that calendar year (all categories, except for media and sponsors).
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Athletes are evaluated based on performance and placement in their event(s). Nominations to review selected athletes come from both the membership and the Awards Committee, while the Coach and Officials' awards are based on outside nominations.
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For information on how awards are selected for each award type, please review the information on the page below for the following awards:
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Male / Female Athlete of the Year
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Nyron Higgins Excellence in Athlete Development and Coaching Award (HEADCA)
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Official of the Year
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Volunteer of the Year
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Special Awards of Recognition
Below, we explain how we make our careful considerations based on a range of data, including criteria outlines, points scales, and a multitude of various contributions.
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MALE / FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
DIVISIONS: MASTERS / OPEN / U20 / U18 / U16 / U14 / PARA
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An athlete who has demonstrated character, sportsmanship and integrity, as well as outstanding ability in their particular Athletics event and brought honour to Ontario and AO.
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The Ontario Masters Committee works with AO to compile the categories to extend beyond the Open Age Group.
CONSIDERATION IS TO BE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA
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Performance at international championships (youth, junior, and senior categories).
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Best performances of the year (based on WA Tables for youth, junior, and senior categories).
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Performance at Athletics Canada national championships.
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Performance at Athletics Ontario provincial indoor and outdoor championships.
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National (Athletics Canada) or provincial records (Athletics Ontario) achieved.
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Respectful of the Athletics Ontario Code of Conduct.
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Age-graded scoring for Masters athletes.
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Note that results from performances in non-LTAD events will not be considered.
POINTS SCALE
A points scale will be used to calculate a nominee’s performance for the year. The athlete with the top score will be selected as the overall male / female for their respective age group. In the event of a tie, the Awards Committee will debate the achievements of the candidates to arrive at a single winner. If an agreement cannot be achieved, co-winners may occur.
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Athletics Ontario staff will compile a list of athlete nominees based on top performances during the competition year.
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Nominees will also be vetted by Athletics Ontario staff and added to the list of finalists where appropriate.
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Athletics Ontario staff will score each finalist and provide a breakdown to the Awards Committee.
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The Awards Committee will vet the list and scores - and select the award winners for each group.
Click HERE for the 2025 nomination form
NYRON HIGGINS EXCELLENCE IN ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT AND COACHING AWARD (NHEADCA)
This award recognizes track and field (T&F) coaches who have made a significant impact on their athletes’ lives by fostering a love for the sport.
The award celebrates coaches who demonstrate inclusivity, supportiveness, and selflessness in their coaching approach, inspiring their athletes to reach their full potential on and off the track, by providing additional support for their coaching education.
Through their dedication and guidance, these coaches structure an environment that nurtures the growth and development of athletes, helping them develop into well-rounded individuals and successful competitors.
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The Awards Selection Committee will choose up to two (2) recipients of the NHEADCA per year; however, there will be no more than one recipient in each category (female, male, non-binary).
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A professional development bursary for additional track and field coaching education of $300 will be awarded to each recipient. The full details and Selection Criteria can be found HERE, with the nomination form below.
NOMINATIONS FOR THE NHEADCA MAY BE:
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Submitted by athletes, fellow coaches, parents, and / or community members who have direct knowledge of the nominee’s coaching abilities and impact on their athletes and / or community.
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Self-nominations are permitted provided they include a letter of support from an athlete or an athlete’s parent that speaks to the key attributes mentioned above.
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Nominators must complete the official nomination form below, providing examples and anecdotes that highlight how the coach has demonstrated the key attributes outlined in the Selection Criteria Document, which can be found HERE.
Click HERE for the 2025 nomination form
OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR
The nominee must be an AO-registered official for the year of nomination. Athletics Ontario Officials (AOO) will work with Athletics Ontario to compile and evaluate the nominations submitted.
THE AWARDS COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER & EVALUATE NOMINEES BASED ON:
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On-field / competition contributions:
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Officiating at local meets.
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Officiating at provincial championships.
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Officiating at national/international meets.
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ADDITIONAL CRITERIA (CONSIDERED BUT NOT REQUIRED) INCLUDES EDUCATIONAL AND LEADERSHIP CONTRIBUTIONS:
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Serving as a mentor for officials wishing to upgrade.
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Being mentored for personal upgrading.
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Serving as a clinician for officials wanting to upgrade.
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Attending clinics / seminars for personal upgrading.
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Other contributions related explicitly to officiating.
Click HERE for the 2025 nomination form
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
A volunteer is a non-paid individual who supports the mandate and goals of Athletics Ontario through giving back their time, e.g., committee member, event support, expertise, etc.
Despite the voluntary nature of officials, the volunteer category will recognize those who contribute to the sport in a supportive role. Selected volunteer(s) must be registered with AO as non-paid members or volunteers during the current calendar year, and have contributed to a minimum of one Athletics Ontario initiative (event, project or committee) to be considered for the nomination.
NOTE: This award does not include contributions by AO officials for their roles and duties as AO officials or AOOEC committee members. However, an AO official may be recognized for volunteering in other capacities.
THE AWARDS COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING FACTORS:
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Contributions at international competitions, national championships and / or provincial championships.
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The number of volunteer hours contributed to Athletics Ontario events or recognized activities.
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Written or documented feedback from officials, the officials committee, members, participants, meet directors and / or event organizers.
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Written or documented feedback from AO staff.
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Written or documented feedback from the general public who have had direct knowledge of the volunteer contribution provided at an AO-recognized activity, e.g., bingo, community activation, etc.
Click HERE for the 2025 nomination form
ROAD & TRAIL ACCELERATORS
SPECIAL AWARDS OF RECOGNITION
This category celebrates the individuals and / or organizations whose contributions elevate Athletics beyond the field of play through excellence in media, administration, promotion of the sport, or innovative / breakthrough initiatives that drive meaningful change. These awards highlight the visionaries, leaders, and storytellers who help the sport grow and inspire others to get involved.
Recipients are selected on a case-by-case basis, guided by the strength of submissions received. The Awards Committee carefully reviews each nomination, and if no qualifying submissions are received, the Committee may choose not to present an award in that category.
Click HERE for the 2025 nomination form
AWARDS GALA NOMINATION FORM
Click HERE for the 2025 nomination form and to submit a nomination. To submit multiple nominations, a separate nomination form must be completed for each individual submission.