Simply The Best

The best from North Okanagan sports over the last year are about to be honoured.

The 24th annual Tim Hortons North Okanagan Athlete, Team, and Leadership Awards will be presented Tuesday June 6 at 6 pm at the Lakers Clubhouse at 7000 Cummins Road in Vernon.

The public is invited to attend the event.

Photo: 2014 Athlete of Year winner Curtis Lazar, then of the Ottawa Senators. (Kiss FM file photo)

The Athlete of the Year trophy has been handed out since 1994, when the first recipient was NHL forward Brent Gilchrist.

Last year, snowboard cross national champion Kevin Hill captured the award.

The Team of the Year trophy started in 1996, with the first one going to the Vernon Vipers who won the Royal Bank Cup.

Last year, the Watkin Motors Mustangs Pee Wee hockey team won the trophy.

The Leadership in Sports award honours community leaders such as coaches or organizers.

Last year’s winner was Anne Holmes who has spent 25 years in Vernon promoting and organizing sports.

“We had a number of great nominations again this year, and it was a very difficult choice to determine the winners,” says selection committee chair Ken Richardson. “This area certainly is well represented with some outstanding athletes and teams.”

The awards are chosen by a panel of media and community reps.