Female Athlete of the Year Award

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Female Athlete of the Year 2023 - Finalists

The 49th annual Civic & Community Awards finalists will be celebrated on April 24 at the Civic & Community Awards Gala, taking place at the Laurel Packinghouse.

Mackenzie Adams 

A former speedskater, Mackenzie Adams has been hooked on the sport of skeleton since she did a training course in 2021. In January 2023, she placed second in the Alberta Championship in the mixed category and fifth for women and by the fall, had been named to Team Canada where she now trains in Whistler—a track widely considered to be the most challenging in the world. Since joining the team, she has placed in the top 10 three times on the North American circuit and is currently ranked fifth in the North American Cup circuit. 

Malindi Elmore 

Ranked the top female marathon and half-marathon runner in Canada, Malindi Elmore is preparing for the 2024 Paris Olympics, her third trip to the Games. With a record smashing pace at her qualifying race in Berlin, Malindi finished in 2:23:30 — just 18 seconds shy of the all-time Canadian woman’s marathon record. Malindi placed second in the Ottawa marathon—a full 20 minutes ahead of the next Canadian, then was off to Japan where she ran Canada’s fastest half-marathon by a woman in 2023. In Arizona, Malindi not only won the women’s half marathon, but placed 11th out of all genders. 

Stefanie Young 

After being sidelined in 2022 with a knee injury, Stefanie Young burst back onto the soccer scene with three hat-tricks in a single season with the UBC Heat. In 14 games, Stefanie scored 14 goals, putting her in a tie for first place in Canada West goal scorers, and earning her a fourth overall ranking. Over the season, Stefanie not only earned her second all-star designation, but broke numerous Heat records including most goals in a season and most goals in a game. She also set a new career scoring mark for the program, knocking in 19 goals during her Heat career and helping the team to their first quarter final play-off berth

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Award Criteria

  • Awarded to the female athlete (amateur or professional) who brought the greatest amount of recognition to Kelowna. 
  • Include Provincial, National and World Ranking if applicable.
  • Selections are based on the nominee's achievements for the year 2023.
  • Past information (awards and achievements) may be included, but should be primarily regarding the current award year.
  • Finalist selections are based solely on the information in the completed nomination package.

Nominations for the 49th annual Civic & Community Awards are now closed. Check back in fall 2024 for information about the 50th annual awards nomination period.

Past Recipients of the Award
  • 2022 - Kanani Coon
  • 2021 - Malindi Elmore
  • 2019 - Madelyn Hettinga
  • 2018 - Kelsey Serwa
  • 2017 - Taryn O’Neill
  • 2016 - Taylor Ruck
  • 2015 - Kierra Smith
  • 2014 - Kelsey Serwa
  • 2013 - Keely Watts-Watling
  • 2012 - Jen Woods
  • 2011 - Kelsey Serwa
  • 2010 - Kelsey Serwa
  • 2009 - Samantha Richdale
  • 2008 - Heather Mandoli
  • 2007 - Sarah Charles
  • 2006 - Robyn Buna
  • 2005 - Jessie Denys
  • 2003 - Sarah Charles
  • 1997 - Malindi Elmore 
  • 1996 - Nicole Gal 
  • 1994 - Christie Van Hees
  • 1992 - Tracey Melesko
  • 1991 - Joanne Ritchie and GIllian Lalonde
  • 1987 - Gayle Anderson
  • 1986 - Jill Corrado 
  • 1985 - Linda Florkevitch
  • 1983 - Jill Corrado

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