Orienteering Nova Scotia 2023 Awards Voting
January 21st 2024 5:30pm - February 5th 2024 11:59pm
We are trying something new this year.
Rather than have voting for the Orienteering NS Awards at our AGM, we are opening up online voting for the next two weeks. This will give members who are not attending the AGM a chance to vote.
Below are the nominations in each category. To vote, go to the link below and make your selections by February 5, 2024.
Click Here to vote for 2023 ONS Awards!
2023 Orienteering NS Award Nominees:
Female Athlete of the Year (Sr)
Pam James: Pam was this year’s Nova Scotia Orienteering Series winner in the Sr female division (as well as in the 55-64 age group), competing in 12 of 17 races and winning 5. She travelled to Lake Tahoe, California, to compete at the North American Orienteering Championships, winning gold medals in the F55-64 division in the sprint, middle and long disciplines. She repeated these gold medal performances nationally in the same disciplines at this summer’s Canadian Orienteering Championships.
Cheryl Smith: Cheryl was just behind Pam in the Sr Female Nova Scotia Orienteering Series, and won the 45-55 age class, competing in 10 of 17 races and winning 6. She competed at the Canadian Orienteering Championships as well, with a gold medal in the F35-45 sprint, a bronze in the F45-55 long, and a sixth place finish in the F45 middle.
Male Athlete of the Year (Sr)
Mats Wallberg: Mats was the overall winner of the Nova Scotia Orienteering Series (and M21-34 age group), competing in and winning 9 series races. This included the Bluenose Classic, our Nova Scotia Provincial Orienteering Championship. Mats showed excellent performance again this season, as well as consistent sportsmanship through sharing route choices and encouragement with athletes following events.
Julien Nowlan: Julien was the second overall male in the Nova Scotia Orienteering Series, and winner of the M34-44 age category, competing in 14 series races and winning one. He placed second at the Bluenose Classic in the advanced course and travelled to his first Canadian Orienteering Championships this year, competing in open class events. Julien was a valued volunteer for a large number of events on the ONS calendar.
Female Athlete of the Year (Jr)
Sophie Kent-Purcell: Sophie was the junior leader of the Nova Scotia Orienteering Series, placing 5th overall and winning the F17-20 age group. She started the season racing on intermediate courses and quickly moved up to the advanced category, winning 3 series races. She placed second in the expert category at the Bluenose Classic, our Nova Scotia Provincial Orienteering Championship, and was the first placed junior in this category. Sophie attended her first Canadian Orienteering Championships winning gold in the Sprint and Middle disciplines. She has been eager to learn and grow in the sport, and shows sportsmanship through offering volunteer assistance.
Chelsea James: Chelsea, winning the F11-12 category, was the second junior in the Nova Scotia Orienteering Series and competed in 9 series races. She placed second on the Novice course at the Bluenose Classic, our Provincial Orienteering Championship, and was the first junior finisher on this course. Chelsea travelled to her first Canadian Orienteering Championships this summer, winning gold medals in the Middle and Long disciplines, and a bronze medal in the Sprint. She often volunteers assistance at the events she attends, and keenly learns new skills.
Male Athlete of the Year (Jr)
Nathan Gray: Nathan was the M17-20 winner in the Nova Scotia Orienteering Series, first junior male, and 23rd overall. He competed in 6 races in the intermediate category, winning 3, including the Bluenose Classic Provincial Championship, where he was first on the intermediate course.
Kaiden Brown: Kaiden was the M13-14 winner in the Nova Scotia Orienteering Series, second junior male and 26th overall. He competed in 6 races in the beginner and intermediate categories winning the junior categories. Kaiden placed first on the novice course at the Bluenose Classic Provincial Championship. He has shown steady improvement in his skill level this year, and readily volunteers his time to assist at events.
Official of the Year
Paul Bottomley: Paul showed outstanding leadership in planning and organizing a ‘ridiculous’ number of events this year, including 9 of our 17 Nova Scotia Orienteering Series events, and volunteering assistance at several others. Without his dedication and tireless efforts this year, our schedule would not have been nearly so full! In addition, he has been involved in mapping (introducing a new area this season), Board work, figuring out tech such as Route Gadget and anything else needed to help grow our sport.
Volunteer of the Year - Bob Kaill Award
Paul Bottomley: Paul showed outstanding leadership in planning and organizing a ‘ridiculous’ number of events this year, including 9 of our 17 Nova Scotia Orienteering Series events, and volunteering assistance at several others. Without his dedication and tireless efforts this year, our schedule would not have been nearly so full! In addition, he has been involved in mapping (introducing a new area this season), Board work, figuring out tech such as Route Gadget and anything else needed to help grow our sport.
Lisa MacLean: For events far and near, all season long, Lisa was among the first to arrive and last to leave. She was a fixture at the registration table, as well as gathering controls, disassembling following events and chipping in wherever needed. No matter the weather, her cheerful disposition supported organizers in running smooth events. Organizers have been ecstatic to have such enthusiastic and capable assistance.