W.R. Bennett Award for Athletic Excellence

The W.R. Bennett Award for Athletic Excellence is given to one outstanding athlete at each BC Winter and BC Summer Games.  The award includes a $2500 bursary and is designed to recognize and support the ongoing development of young athletes.

The award was named in honour of the former Premier of British Columbia, William Bennett, who was instrumental in starting the BC Summer and BC Winter Games program in 1978. The Award was first presented by Mr. Bennett at the 2008 BC Summer Games, which were hosted in Mr. Bennett's hometown of Kelowna.
 
"I have been extremely proud of the BC Summer and BC Winter Games since their inception. The Games celebrate the diversity of our province's talented athletes, communities and regions. It is indeed an honour to have my name attached to this award," said Mr. Bennett at that time.

The recipient is selected from nominations submitted by Provincial Sport Organizations included in each Games.  Each sport may submit a nomination for one male and one female athlete competing at the Games.  Nominees are considered on the basis of their past sport performances in the sport they are competing at the Games, their performance at the Games, their sport ambition and future potential, and demonstrated leadership both on and off the field of play. Nomination forms are provided directly to Provincial Sport Organizations prior to the Games.

The award includes a $2500 bursary for direct sport or post-secondary education expenses and is presented at the Closing Celebration of the BC Summer and the BC Winter Games.
 
Meet the W.R. Bennett Recipients (click on the name of the recipient for more info):

 Recipient Games  Sport Zone
Mischa Grover 2022 BC Summer Games Canoe/Kayak Thompson-Okanagan (2)
Benjamin Konwicki 2020 BC Winter Games Speed Skating North East - Cariboo (8)
Maggie Banks 2018 BC Summer Games Rugby Vancouver Island-Central Coast (6)
Rebecca Wharton 2018 BC Winter Games Gymnastics Thompson-Okanagan (2)
Max Stalling 2016 BC Summer Games Lacrosse-Box Vancouver-Coastal (5)
Molly Miller 2016 BC Winter Games Skiing-Cross Country Kootenays (1)
Nolan Badovinac 2014 BC Summer Games Wrestling Vancouver Island-Central Coast (6)
Tyler Tardi 2014 BC Winter Games Curling Fraser Valley (3)
Chanell Botsis 2012 BC Summer Games Athletics Fraser Valley (3)
Hunter Sones 2012 BC Winter Games Biathlon Vancouver-Squamish (5)
Georgia Ellenwood 2010 BC Summer Games Athletics Fraser Valley (3)
Jordan Rosborough 2010 BC Winter Games Speed Skating Thompson-Okanagan (2)
Phillip Round 2008 BC Summer Games Sailing Vancouver Island-Central Coast (6)