Recognizing greatness in our sport
Every spring at our AGM, we recognize individuals who have made an impact on our sport and the achievements of our provincial team athletes. Club volunteers work tirelessly on the front-lines and behind the scenes to ensure Nova Scotians can enjoy skiing. Our programs, groomed trails, and many club events would not exist without the help of generous volunteers who donate their time. Our provincial team athletes are dedicated to training and competing in local, regional, national, and international competitions.
Volunteer award recipients are nominated by fellow cross-country skiers and selected by our Board of Directors via closed-ballot voting process; for CCNS and Support4Sport Awards. Athletes are selected based on Canadian Points List, values. Watch for upcoming news features highlighting the achievements of our volunteers and athletes. Congratulations! Award descriptions follow the tables below.
Volunteer Awards
Volunteer of the Year – Geoff Bennett, Scotia XC Ski Club
Freda Wales Award – Paula Michaelis, North Highlands Nordic
Lifetime Achievement Award – David Hubley, Scotia XC Ski Club
Coach of the Year – Rosemary Algar, North Highlands Nordic
Community Sport Organization – North Highlands Nordic
Sport Makes a Difference – Baddeck Nordic Club
* Selected as club candidate by CCNS. We note BNC as recipient of this award at the CCNS level. The application will be submitted to SNS for the 2025-26 award deadline, as due to error by CCNS, we did not ensure the club’s nomination was put forth.
Athlete Awards
Top Female Athlete Sr. – Emma Archibald
Top Female Athlete Jr. – Suzanne Jackson
Top Male Athlete Jr. – Cohen Norman
Sue Hill Award ‘Most Improved Athlete’ – Suzanne Jackson
Historic Recipients
Volunteer Awards
Thank-you to all of the volunteers in our sport! View award descriptions below tables.
| YEAR | VOLUNTEER | FREDA WALES | LIFETIME | COACH | OFFICIAL | SPONSOR | COMMUNITY SPORT ORGANIZATION | SPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Geoff Bennett | Paula Michaelis | David Hubley | Rosemary Algar | n/a | Award discontinued by Sport Nova Scotia | North Highlands Nordic | Baddeck Nordic Club * Selected as club candidate by CCNS. See note below. |
| 2024 | Jamie Dixon | Melanie MacDermid | Dennis Doyon | Eric McIntyre | n/a | The Links at Brunello | ||
| 2023 | Paula Michaelis | Eileen Woodford | John Cameron | David Hubley | n/a | n/a | ||
| 2022 | John Hudec | Sandra Curtis | Pierre Roy | Grace McIntyre | n/a | n/a | ||
| 2021 | Kevin Chiasson | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | ||
| 2020 | Lorenzo Caterini | Deirdre Evans | Jack Solomon | Rejean Chamberland | Hub Cycle | |||
| 2019 | Rosemary Algar | Rosemary Algar | Lilla Roy | n/a | Seaview Golf & Country Club | |||
| 2018 | Maurice Curtis Michael Shawn Fitzgerald | Linda Murray | Kate Scallion | Linda Murray | The Links at Brunello | |||
| 2017 | Joanne Fitzgerald | Daniel Murray | Tom Ward | Hub Cycle | ||||
| 2016 | Tom Beazley | Nancy Munro | Daniel Murray | Fred Lawrence | The Trail Shop | |||
| 2015 | Steve Chipman | Dianne Powell | Daniel Murray | Geoff Bennett | Hub Cycle | |||
| 2014 | Derek Estabrook | Joanne Fitzgerald | Daniel Murray | Linda Murray | Trail Shop | |||
| 2013 | Keith Ayling | |||||||
| 2012 | Nancy Munro | Geoff Bennett | ||||||
| 2011 | Reid MacDuff Roslyn MacDuff | Daniel Murray | Geoff Bennett | The Trail Shop | ||||
| 2010 | ||||||||
| 2009 | Mountain Equipment Co-op | |||||||
| 2008 | Dan Farrell | |||||||
| 2007 | ||||||||
| 2006 | Maurice Curtis | |||||||
| 2005 | ||||||||
| 2004 | Steve Chipman | Eileen Woodford | ||||||
| 2003 | Sue Phelan | Gaye Lillington | ||||||
| 2002 | Dennis Doyon | Norma Marchand | ||||||
| 2001 | Sandra Curtis | Linda Murray | ||||||
| 2000 | Dan MacNeil | |||||||
| 1999 | Sue Hill | Linda Murray | ||||||
| 1998 | Stuart Germani | |||||||
| 1997 | Linda Murray | |||||||
| 1996 | John Clarke | Sue Hill | ||||||
| 1995 | Maria Ramsey | Maria Ramsey |
* Sport Makes a Difference Award 2024-25 – Baddeck Nordic Club selected by CCNS as club candidate. We note BNC as recipient of this award at the CCNS level. The application will be submitted to SNS for the 2025-26 award deadline, as due to error by CCNS, we did not ensure the club’s nomination was put forth.
Provincial Team Awards
Our provincial skier awards include: Female Athlete of the Year, Male Athlete of the Year, Sue Hill Award, and the Bryan Scallion Award.
| YEAR | TOP ATHLETE (F) | TOP ATHLETE (M) | SUE HILL | BRYAN SCALLION (F) | BRYAN SCALLION (M) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Emma Archibald – Sr Suzanne Jackson – Jr | Cohen Norman – Jr | Suzanne Jackson | No Race | No Race |
| 2024 | Emma Archibald – Sr Suzanne Jackson – Jr | Milo Sircom-Brown – Jr | Suzanne Jackson | Suzanne Jackson | Daniel Murray |
| 2023 | Emma Archibald | Milo Sircom- Brown – Jr | Paige Neklia | Suzanne Jackson | Milo Sircom-Brown |
| 2022 | Fiona McClure | Ogen Newcomb | n/a | No Race | No Race |
| 2021 | n/a | n/a | n/a | No Race | No Race |
| 2020 | Fiona McClure | Ogen Newcomb | Milo Sircom-Brown | Fiona McClure | Daniel Murray |
| 2019 | Maggie McClure – Sr Fiona McClure – Jr | Colin Ward – Sr Ogen Newcomb – Jr | Grace McIntyre | n/a | n/a |
| 2018 | Maggie McClure | Colin Ward | Caden MacLeod | Fiona McClure | Stuart Harden |
| 2017 | Maggie McClure | Colin Ward | Colin Ward | Kate Scallion | Daniel Murray |
| 2016 | Maggie McClure | Colin Ward | Maggie McClure | Colin Ward | |
| 2015 | Maggie McClure | Colin Ward | Anya Munro | Maggie McClure | Colin Ward |
| 2014 | Maggie McClure | Colin Ward | Hannah Estabrook | Maggie McClure | Colin Ward |
| 2013 | Maggie McClure | Edward Walsh | Colin Ward | Maggie McClure | Colin Ward |
| 2012 | Kilya MacNeil | Edward Walsh | Kilya MacNeil | Daniel Murray | |
| 2011 | Maggie Soehl | Liam McInerney | Kilya MacNeil | Daniel Murray | |
| 2010 | Jennie Roy | Ian Murray | Johah Hudec | Maggie Soehl | Daniel Murray |
| 2009 | Abby Lewis | Chris Algar | Mariah Hudec | Kris Doyon | |
| 2008 | Lilla Roy | Ian Murray | Abby Lewis | Chris Algar | |
| 2007 | Kate Scallion | Ian Murray | Benjamin Roy | Abby Lewis | Daniel Murray |
| 2006 | Kate Scallion | Ian Murray | Benjamin Roy | Abby Lewis | Daniel Murray |
| 2005 | Margaret Scallion | Ian Murray | Marie Soehl | Chris Algar | |
| 2004 | Margaret Scallion | Charles Curtis | Margaret Scallion | Cathy Tutton | Kris Doyon |
| 2003 | Margaret Scallion | Ian Murray | Grace MacIntyre | Grace MacIntyre | Chris Algar |
| 2002 | Kate Scallion | Ian Murray | Carmen Lawrence | ||
| 2001 | Margaret Scallion | Chris Algar | Stephen Murray | ||
| 2000 | Margaret Scallion | Ian Murray | Lilla Roy | ||
| 1999 | Margaret Scallion | Ian Murray | |||
| 1998 | Margaret Scallion | Ian Murray | |||
| 1997 | Margaret Scallion | Ian Murray | |||
| 1996 | Heather Murray | Daniel Murray | |||
| 1995 | Brownwen Davies | Daniel Murray |
Award Descriptions
Freda Wales Memorial Award
Honours one woman each year who has made a significant contribution to cross-country skiing in Nova Scotia. The recipient’s name will be sent forward as our nomination for the Nordiq Canada Firth Award. Examples of involvement include: local and provincial involvement; coach, official, administrator, or athlete; event committee involvement – race, loppet or fun day; shares a love of skiing just by involvement and enthusiasm for the sport; motivates others to become involved; someone who can be relied on to come through in a crunch – to pitch in and share the load when there is work to be done.
CCNS Lifetime Contribution Award
The CCNS Lifetime Contribution Award is issued to a member of the Nova Scotia nordic ski community in recognition of their long-term commitment to growing, enriching, and promoting cross-country skiing in the province. This person demonstrates a love and enthusiasm for skiing and shares it. They may be a coach of athletes or recreational skiers, adults or children. They may be an organizer of ski events such as races, loppets or community events. They may be a groomer, fundraiser, board member of a club or CCNS, trail maintainer, official, athlete, or administrator. They love to ski and help others to share that passion.
Volunteer of the Year Award
Recognizes dedicated volunteers who donate their time to club initiatives. This award is inclusive of many volunteer functions, including: groomers, coaches, administrators, organizers, fundraisers, communicators, equipment managers, and any of the tasks required by clubs to make cross-country skiing special. Recipient also recognized at the Sport Nova Scotia Support4Sport Awards Gala.
Coach of the Year Award
Identifies coaches dedicated to helping skiers acquire technical skiing skills and cultivate a love for the sport. Recipient is also recognized at the Sport Nova Scotia Support4Sport Awards Gala.
Official of the Year Award
Recognizes officials who help to ensure safe racing events that adhere to regulations. Recipient is also recognized at the Sport Nova Scotia Support4Sport Awards Gala.
Corporate Sponsor of the Year Award
Recognizes corporate support for the cross-country skiing community in Nova Scotia.
Sport Makes a Difference
Any individual, group, organization, committee or similar body that creates, establishes or initiates an
innovative program, competition or event, or demonstrates an outstanding example of fair play, is
eligible for this award. Nominees do not need formal provincial sport organization (PSO)
membership. Nominees for this award must be nominated by a PSO, must be compatible with the
values and mission of Sport Nova Scotia, and be in good standing with member organizations. This
award is based solely on the advancement of leading edge thinking that results in an improved sport
system for Nova Scotians, and/or where exceptional merit has been demonstrated. Recipient is also recognized at the Sport Nova Scotia Support4Sport Awards Gala; if voted as a finalist by the Support4Sport selection committee.
Community Sport Organization
This award recognizes community sport organizations for the incredible work they do to deliver sport
opportunities to Nova Scotians. This award highlights the individuals and teams who have gone
above and beyond their regular day-to-day operations to make a positive difference for participants.
They strive for excellence in how they operate, how they collaborate, innovate, lead, and, in some
cases, use sport as a tool to create positive social change. Recipient is also recognized at the Sport Nova Scotia Support4Sport Awards Gala.
Athletes of the Year – Female and Male
Based on race results of provincial team athletes. Determined by the ski team selection committee.
Bryan Scallion Award
Recognizes the overall fastest male and female skiers in the Nova Scotia Provincial Championships each year. Award recipients are commemorated on a plaque, which dates back to 1982.
The Bryan Scallion Award was established by Cross Country Nova Scotia, to honour Bryan Scallion’s lifetime dedication to advancing the sport of cross-country skiing in Nova Scotia, along with his unwavering commitment to developing competitive athletes.
Bryan was a decorated Nova Scotia endurance athlete, who was recognized at a national level in various sports while training in Nova Scotia. Scallion was a leader in the Nova Scotia sporting community, participating in events ranging from track and field to triathlon to cross-country skiing. Bryan represented Nova Scotia at the Canada Winter Games as an athlete in 1971 and 1975. Bryan also represented Canada as a member of the National Biathlon team and the National Espoir Cross-Country Ski Team from 1977-1982. Bryan won the Canadian Ski Marathon during this time, as well as various national titles. He was also selected to the Canadian Olympic Biathlon team for the 1980 Lake Place Olympics.
Bryan was an outstanding coach and administrator. He coached the Nova Scotia Provincial Cross-Country Ski team for many years, including at the Canada Winter Games in 1979 and 1983. Athletes who were on these teams speak of the long-lasting influence that Bryan had on their lives. Bryan initiated the Honey Pot Ski Loppet in Wentworth, Nova Scotia, in 1977. This loppet is the longest running loppet in our province. In 1991, Bryan was the Chief of Competition for the biathlon events at the Canada Winter Games. Between 1995 and 2007, at least one of Bryan’s children continued the family tradition by representing Nova Scotia in various events at every Canada Winter Games.
Sue Hill Award
The Sue Hill Award is presented to the most improved member of the Provincial Ski Team. The high performance committee determines the award winners, by calculating the ski team member with the greatest improvement on the Canadian Points List, in comparison to the previous season.
The Sue Hill Award was created to acknowledge the many years of dedication to the ski team by Sue Hill, an exceptional volunteer, who supported the provincial program from 1988-2011. The CCNS board of directors initiated this annual award in 1999. Ike Whitehead, long-time administrator for CCNS from 1977-2008 recalls, “There are certain people in the world and your association, we had to do something to remember Sue. She was a true top-notch volunteer. We created this award in her honour.”
A dedicated volunteer, Sue performed the gamut of volunteer tasks for the provincial team, including: driver, cookie-maker, and general gopher, 1998-1990; manager, 1991-1992; head coach, 1992-1999; and assistant coach, 2006-2011. Additionally, she was the para-nordic coach at the 2011 Canada Winter Games, coach of the Dartmouth High team; and president of the Arctic Fox Ski Club from 1992-2017. She also provided
Links
> Historic Award Recipients
Cross Country Nova Scotia 