Government of Yukon and sport organizations celebrate 2025 sport awards recipients

Press Release

February 10, 2026

The Government of Yukon, Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle, Sport Yukon and Special Olympics Yukon celebrated the territory’s athletes, coaches and volunteers with an award ceremony on February 9, 2026. The awards were presented based on athletes’ accomplishments in 2025.

The Government of Yukon recognizes recipients with two awards: the Premier’s Award of Sport Excellence and the Minister’s Award of Sport Recognition.

The Premier’s Award recognizes the achievements of outstanding Yukon athletes who competed on the international or national stage. It was presented to 21 athletes.

The Minister’s Award is presented to athletes or teams who excelled at Arctic Winter Games, Canada 55+ Games, provincials, Western Canadian or national competitions. It was presented to 57 athletes.

The Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle awards were given to six recipients, including one Indigenous athlete of the year, an Indigenous coach of the year, the athletic career excellence award and an exemplary person in arctic sports, Dene Games and archery.

Additionally, the Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle recognized four recipients of the King Charles III Coronation Medals.

The Sport Yukon Major Awards are presented each year to Yukoners for their significant contributions and achievement in sport. A total of seven awards were presented for administrator, coach and athletes of the year.

Special Olympics Yukon enriches the lives of over 120 Yukoners with an intellectual disability through sport. Each year, Special Olympics presents the following awards: Athletes of the Year, Most Improved Athletes of the Year, Athlete and Sport Volunteer Rising Stars and the Heather Miller Sport Volunteer of the Year.

The Government of Yukon is proud to support our territory’s athletes. I congratulate everyone who was presented with an award. It is well-deserved recognition for your dedication to sport. I wish you all the best as you pursue your future goals.

Premier Currie Dixon

Congratulations to all the award winners, it has been a pleasure watching our athletes succeed on the national and international stage. I also extend my thanks to the coaches, parents, guardians and volunteers for their devotion to athletes and programming.

Minister of Community Services Cory Bellmore

Sport teaches us to strive, to lead, and to support one another. Congratulations to all the 2025 award recipients – you represent the spirit and values that make our territory strong.

President of the Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle Ross King

The sport and recreation community in the Yukon continues to give us so much to be proud of. We are honoured to recognize the efforts and successes of our athletes, coaches, and administrators. Congratulations to our recipients and thank you for representing the Yukon so well.

President of Sport Yukon Stacy Lewis

Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients! It makes us proud how you represent our small, mighty, inclusive and diverse Sport Community.

President of Special Olympics Yukon Mike Paré

Quick facts

• The Premier’s Award of Sport Excellence is presented to an athlete or team who has accomplished one of the following while representing the Yukon or Canada:
  • they must win a gold medal at tier/division one of Provincials or Western Canadian Championships; or
  • they must win a gold, silver or bronze medal or receive special distinction at tier/division one of National Championships, Canada Games or Major international events; or
  • they must participate as a member of Team Canada at the Olympics, Paralympics, Special Olympics World Games, Pan or Parapan American Games, Commonwealth Games or World Championships.
• The Minister’s Award of Sport Recognition is presented to athletes or teams who have accomplished the following:
  • they must win a gold medal at the Arctic Winter Games, North American Indigenous Games or Canada 55+ Games; or
  • they must win a gold, silver or bronze medal or receive special designation at tier/division two or lower of National, Provincial or Western Canadian championships; or
  • they must win a silver or bronze medal or receive special designation at tier/division one of Western Canadian Championships or provincials.
• The Government of Yukon supports the territory’s athletes, coaches and officials through programs like the Foundations and Podium Pathways, as well as High Performance and Elite Athlete funding.

Backgrounder

Minister’s Award of Sport Recognition

Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle 

King Charles III Coronation Medal recipients 

Sport Yukon Major Awards 

Special Olympics Yukon

Media contact

Tim Kucharuk
Press Secretary, Cabinet Communications
867-335-2419
tim.kucharuk@yukon.ca

John Tonin
Communications, Community Services
867-334-5816
john.tonin@yukon.ca

ILR5