Named after Karina LeBlanc, retired Olympic bronze medalist and one of the longest serving soccer players for Canada, the Karina LeBlanc Game Changer Award was developed to recognize the achievement of a young individual who has created opportunities for underrepresented youth in their community to participate more fully in sport.

Maple Ridge hometown hero Karina LeBlanc is a game changer both on and off the field of play. Since retiring from professional sport, Karina LeBlanc uses her platform as a way to inspire and challenge people to live life purposefully. Karina has been the Head of Women's Football for CONCACAF and its 41 countries since 2018 and aims to use football as a mechanism to save young girls’ lives through the sport.

As a legacy of the Maple Ridge 2020 BC Summer Games, this year’s Karina LeBlanc Game Change Award will provide one outstanding Maple Ridge youth with $1,000 to recognize their significant work and dedication to developing sport in their community.

The goal of this award is to identify, recognize, and celebrate the accomplishments of an outstanding young person who has moved their community forward in youth sport or recreation.