WSWC AWARDS PROGRAM

A hallmark of every successful organization is recognizing outstanding achievement and celebrating successes. WSWC believes in supporting excellence by recognizing the exceptional performances of our athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers, in different categories. The objectives of these awards are:
- to honor the best representatives of our sport,
- stimulate our representatives in the search of excellence,
- to favor the visibility of excellence throughout the country,
- to create a link of our excellence with our sponsors, and the public.

Accordingly, WSWC shall;
1. 1. Establish annual recognition awards in the following categories: Coach, Official, Volunteer, Male Athlete, Female Athlete, Top Athlete and Junior Athlete. There will also be a recognition award for Province of the Year. The selection criteria are as follows:

Male Athlete of the Year: 1 in each of water ski and wakeboard
- Demonstrates excellence in national or international level performance by exemplifying the following characteristics: fairplay, good sportsmanship, superior performance in major competitions and a commitment to training

Female Athlete of the Year: 1 in each of water ski and wakeboard
- Demonstrates excellence in national or international level performance by exemplifying the following characteristics: fairplay, good sportsmanship, superior performance in major competitions and a commitment to training

Junior Athlete of the Year: (male or female) 1 in each of water ski, wakeboard and barefoot
- Is junior aged in their respective discipline as of January 1 of the year of the award.
- Demonstrates excellence in national or international level performance by exemplifying the following characteristics of: fairplay, good sportsmanship, superior performance in competitions and a commitment to training

Top Athlete of the Year: (male or female) 1 in each of barefoot and adaptive
- Demonstrates excellence in national or international performance by exemplifying the following characteristics: fairplay, good sportsmanship, superior performance in major competitions and a commitment to training

Coach of the Year: amongst all disciplines
- Demonstrates competence and intervention in coaching, by developing and improving the performance of athletes at the provincial, national, or international levels.
- Minimum fully certified Level 1 or "Learn-To Instructor" within the National Coaching Certification Program.
- Coaches; athlete development principles, fairplay and sportsmanship
- Coaches at least 1 athlete in WSWC's Junior, Development, or National Team Programs
- Exemplifies dedication to coaching by promoting coaching certification values.

Official of the Year: amongst all disciplines
- Demonstrates competence in judgment and arbitration in events at the provincial, national, or international level.
- Minimum provincial level official status
- Officiates; athlete development principles, fairplay and sportsmanship
- Exemplifies dedication to judging by promoting official certification

Volunteer of the Year: amongst all disciplines
- Demonstrates exceptional volunteer contribution in promoting and developing the sport at the provincial, national, or international levels.
- Has made a significant contribution to the development of the sport in Canada

Province of the Year
- Awarded based on the results of an objective, statistical, scoring formula. The formula considers the following factors: membership (clubs, individuals, WSWC competitor license holders), WSWC sanctioned tournaments, national/international event hosting and attendance, coach and officials certification activities, and PSO compliance with report submissions. A full description of the scoring formula is available from the WSWC office, upon request.

2. Nomination is open to the WSWC membership (individuals, clubs, schools, and provincial associations). All individual nominees must be WSWC members in good standing and Canadian citizens. Nominations for each award shall be made by any two WSWC members in good standing, by September 30 of said year. Nominations must be completed on award specific WSC Award Nomination Form (exception: Province of the Year). A call for nominations shall be made in the spring issue of the association's newsletter, and other communication vehicles.

3. The WSWC Executive Board will appoint a Selection Committee composed of at least 5 individuals. No later than 15 days following the nomination deadline, the Selection Committee will review the nominations, verify the nomination information, select up to 3 finalists in each category (except Province of the Year) and will select up to one (1) award winner / category. The Selection Committee has the right not to give an award in any award category (exception: Province of the Year).

4. Award winners will be announced at Congress, and awarded a keeper plaque. Athlete winners will normally be presented with their award at their respective national championship in the immediate year following. Winners shall be recognized in various association communication vehicles.