January 12, 2022, Winnipeg MB – Sport Manitoba awarded $17,000 in academic scholarships to six high school students, 12 university students, and four Manitoba coaches. The awards included the Manitoba Foundation for Sports Scholarships and Sport Manitoba Coaching Bursaries.

“The selection committee was inspired by the fortitude of this year’s student-athletes and coaches and the resiliency they showed despite the challenges they have faced over the past year with education, sports, and employment,” said   Janet McMahon, President and CEO, Sport Manitoba. “It is clear how important high school and university sports are to these individuals, and how difficult the loss of their seasons was. We wish them all the best as they move forward in their future paths.” 

Manitoba Foundation for Sports Scholarships

$500 High School Scholarship 

• Jessica Chow (Winnipeg-Dakota Crossing) graduated from Dakota Collegiate Institute, is a multi-sport athlete (soccer, track and field, volleyball) and will attend the University of Regina.     
                  
• Maxine Lavitt (Winnipeg-Minnetonka) graduated from Centre Scholaire Leo Remillard, is a swimmer and MASRC athlete and will attend the University of Manitoba.
   
• Lauren Lenentine (Winnipeg-Fort Richmond) is a multi-sport athlete (curling, softball) who will attend the University of Manitoba.
   
• Jordon McDonald (Winnipeg-Charleswood) graduated from Oak Park High School, is a multi-sport athlete (curling, golf, volleyball, badminton, cross country) and will attend the University of Manitoba.
   
• Chloe Morrison (Stonewall) graduated from Stonewall Collegiate, is a multi-sport athlete (track and field, cross country, soccer) and will attend the University of Manitoba.
   
• David Nelson (Winnipeg-Linden Woods) graduated from Westgate Mennonite Collegiate, is a multi-sport athlete (volleyball, cross country, basketball) and will attend Canadian Mennonite University.

$1000 University Scholarship 

• Speranza Albensi (Winnipeg-Dakota Crossing) is a multi-sport athlete in baton twirling and track and field and will attend the University of Manitoba.
   
• Cameryn Carlos (Winnipeg-Waverley Heights) graduated from Fort Richmond Collegiate, is a multi-sport athlete in basketball, swimming, cross country, and track and field, and will attend the University of Manitoba.
   
• Lily Francis (Winnipeg-Minnetonka) graduated from St.Mary’s Academy, is a multi-sport athlete in soccer, athletics, and cross country, and will attend the University of Manitoba.
   
• Alexander Krykewich (Winnipeg-Norwood) is a volleyball athlete and will attend the University of Winnipeg.
   
• Blake Magnusson (Gimli) is a multi-sport athlete in basketball, volleyball, and track and field, and will attend Brandon University.
   
• Paisley Poirier (Lac du Bonnet) graduated from Lac du Bonnet Secondary School, is a multi-sport athlete in badminton, volleyball, and track and field, and will attend the University of Winnipeg.
   
• Linus Schweizer (Winnipeg-Linden Woods) is a multi-sport athlete in sailing and soccer and will attend the University of Toronto.
   
• Kate Sigurdson (Winnipeg-Windsor Park) graduated from College Beliveau, is a multi-sport athlete in softball and volleyball and will attend Jamestown University.
   
• Alexandra Yarema (Winnipeg-Fort Richmond) is a rhythmic gymnast who will attend the University of Manitoba.
   
• Cali Yates (La Salle) graduated from Sanford Collegiate, is a multi-sport athlete in basketball, cross country, volleyball, and badminton, and will attend Brandon University. 
   
• Emily Zacharias (Altona) is a curler and will attend the University of Manitoba.
   
• Mackenzie Zacharias (Altona) is a multi-sport athlete in curling, softball, and soccer and will attend the University of Manitoba.

Sport Manitoba Coaching Bursaries

Silvio Sboto Memorial Rural Coach Award – $500

• Cassidy Jones (Brandon) coaches gymnastics at Brandon University.

Jeff Collins Memorial Winnipeg Coach Award – $500

• Vanessa Navarro (Winnipeg-Maples) coaches figure skating and attends the University of Manitoba.
   
• Yonatan Orlov (Winnipeg-Sage Creek) coaches baton twirling and attends the University of Manitoba.
   
• Mark Naylor (Winnipeg-Elmwood) coaches biathlon and cross country ski, and attends the University of Manitoba.

About

Sport Manitoba is a not-for-profit organization and the lead planning, programming and funding agency for the development of amateur sport in Manitoba. Located at 145 Pacific Avenue in Winnipeg, Sport Manitoba partners with over 100 organizations to deliver sport in the province and is responsible for programs including the Manitoba Games powered by Manitoba Hydro, Sport Manitoba Coaching, Team Manitoba, Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, Fit Kids Healthy Kids, and KidSport. Services provided include the Sport Manitoba Clinic, Sport Manitoba Performance, Sport Manitoba Fitness Centre, and the Paul Robson Resource Centre for Leadership and Coaching.
The Manitoba Foundation for Sports Scholarship program administered by Sport Manitoba was established to support young athletes of Sport Manitoba partners, who continue to participate in amateur sport while pursuing a post-secondary education on a full-time basis. The Manitoba Foundation for Sports Scholarship Program was established in 1992.

Silvio Sboto Memorial Rural Coach Award: Silvio Sboto was a dedicated and humble man who started learning judo in the late 50s after immigrating to Canada from his native Peru. He resided in Brandon for the last thirty years where he worked at the Seikeikan Judo Club. Silvio was the chair of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) for Judo Canada. Silvio spent 10 years as an NCCP Theory Course Conductor and attained Level 4 NCCP status. He also had his fifth-degree black belt and was a national ‘C’ referee in Judo. Recipients of this award receive a $500 bursary to be used toward their tuition.

Jeff Collins Memorial Winnipeg Coach Award: Jeff Collins’ expertise earned him a reputation as a coach’s coach. Jeff served as head coach and clinician for the Legion Athletic Camps at the International Peach Garden for 32 years. He was the convenor and co-meet director of the MHSAA’s provincial track and field champs from 1984 to 2001. Jeff attained his level 3 NCCP and also worked with world-class special needs athletes. In 2003, Jeff was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame. Recipients of this award receive a $500 bursary to be used toward their tuition.

For more information please contact:
Sarah Tone
Communications Manager
Sport Manitoba
431-778-5796
sarah.tone@sportmanitoba.ca