Quesnel gymnast Sayla Forman was one of the 16 athletes at the Lhtako Quesnel BC Winter Games to receive a $1,000 award from Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart program.
Jumpstart regional manager Katlyn Soanes made the presentation during medal ceremonies at Correlieu Secondary School where the gymnastics elements were hosted during the Games. Forman, a member of the Quesnel Technics Gymnastics Club (teammate Kassia Kitamura also competed), achieved personal bests during the competition as a Zone 8 representative.
“The BC Games Leadership Bursary awards are for special athletes,” said Soanes. “It factors in their sports success, but it also factors in academics and community involvement. We get to see some pretty remarkable young people through our application process.”
This year, according to Andres Marquez-Velasco of the BC Games Society, there were more than 150 applications which is comparable again with pre-pandemic numbers. All the applicants must be youth, but some are already coaches and officials as well as athletes.
The full list of 2024 winners includes:
Castlegar gymnast Jasmine Chow, Kimberley alpine skier Sylas Welch, Kelowna ringette player Annika Hay, Salmon Arm ringette player Daylen Zachary, Langley karate coach Saanvi Lad, Mission wheelchair basketball player Lachlan Sandford, Coquitlam badminton player Wilson Hu, Coquitlam speed skater Kierana Laut, North Vancouver karate official Vania Amani, Richmond badminton player Nika Ghaderi, Victoria karate official Yashita Kaku, Shawnigan Lake judo competitor Rio Garcia, Terrace ringette player Reece Hansen, Smithers alpine skier Katie Lo, and 150 Mile House archer Lily Fraser.
READ MORE: Cariboo athlete Lily Fraser a winner before her first shot was taken
READ MORE: Chipping in for Quesnel charity (Jumpstart and KidSport)