This evening, the Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, recognized the athletic success of more than 100 young athletes from across the province at the 20th annual Premier’s Athletic Awards.

Established in 2005, the awards program recognizes athletic excellence and provides financial support to help offset the costs of training and competition. Grants ranging from $500 to $1,500 are awarded based on the level of competition and the athletes’ respective accomplishments.

The Team Gushue Awards, established in honour of Team Gushue’s gold medal win at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, were also presented at the event. Two athletes are selected annually to receive the awards, valued at $5,000 each. Recipients are chosen based on athletic and academic excellence. This year’s recipients are Brooklyn Wolfrey and Gleb Evstigneev.

Brooklyn Wolfrey from Rigolet has achieved remarkable success in her athletic pursuits. At the North American Indigenous Games, she earned a gold medal in doubles and a silver in mixed doubles badminton. Competing at the World Dwarf Games, she claimed first place in both singles and doubles badminton, and she was part of the bronze medal-winning teams in soccer and basketball. Additionally, Brooklyn secured gold medals in athletics for the 60 metre and 100 metre races. She currently holds the title of Badminton Canada Para Champion in her classification. Academically, she completed Grade 10 in June with an impressive average of 93 per cent.

Gleb Evstigneev from Paradise has made significant strides in gymnastics, recently earning a gold medal in the trampoline discipline at the Canada Games, where he also had the honour of being the flag bearer for Team Newfoundland and Labrador during the opening ceremonies. He represented Team Canada at the 2023 Pan American Championships, finishing first in the individual category. In addition to his athletic achievements, Gleb is currently in his third year at Memorial University, where he maintains a GPA of 3.17.

Additionally, the inaugural Michelle Healey Memorial Award was presented at the event. One female athlete is selected annually to receive the award, valued at $5,000. The award is based on athletic success and an exceptional commitment to community. The recipient of the inaugural Michelle Healey Memorial Award is Zoe Rowe.

Zoe Rowe has made a significant impact both on and off the soccer field. In 2023, she competed for the Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador (MUN) Sea-Hawks women’s varsity soccer team, earning recognition as a first-team conference all-star and being named team MVP. Beyond her athletic achievements, Zoe is deeply committed to her community, volunteering with organizations such as Easter Seals, CBS Soccer, and the MUN Biochemistry Society. Her dedication to service was recognized when she became a Rhodes Scholar Finalist and was honoured as the 2023 winner of the Atlantic University Sport Community Service Award for her exceptional volunteer work.

For a complete list of 2024 Premier’s Athletic Award recipients, please see the backgrounder below.

Quotes
“It is my privilege to host the Premier’s Athletic Awards each year. Witnessing the dedication and passion of these young athletes as they strive for their goals is nothing short of inspiring. Their ambitions know no bounds, and I am confident we will hear their names in the future as they compete at provincial, national, and international levels. Congratulations to all the recipients of the Premier’s Athletic Awards!”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Engaging in sports provides young people with a wealth of benefits. Beyond improving physical, mental, and emotional health, it instills a sense of commitment and the value of giving their all. It teaches that hard work can lead to success and fosters valuable social connections. I applaud all the young athletes being honoured today, along with their families and support systems, for their vital roles in this journey.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

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Athletic Excellence Fund

Sport Newfoundland and Labrador

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BACKGROUNDER