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Richmond athletes win Indigenous sports excellence awards

Two teenage athletes from Richmond are among this year’s recipients of the 2020 Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport .
Alan Campbell
Alan Campbell

Two teenage athletes from Richmond are among this year’s recipients of the 2020 Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport.

Adelle Larden, age 14, and Scott Larden, 16, were among six athletes recognized from the Vancouver Coastal region by the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (I·SPARC).

Adelle, of the Hwlitsum First Nation, excelled in the sports of box lacrosse, field lacrosse and rifle, while Scott, also of the Hwlitsum First Nation, excelled in lacrosse.

I·SPARC, along with the B.C. government, launched the regional nomination process in late 2020, receiving nominations from each of I·SPARC’s six regions (Fraser, Interior, Northeast, Northwest, Vancouver Coastal, and Vancouver Island) for Indigenous athletes, under age 25, who are competing in performance sport, and demonstrating a commitment to their education, culture, and promoting healthy and active lifestyles.

“Congratulations to all the regional winners of the Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport.

“I’m so proud of your accomplishments both on the field and in your community. Your outstanding achievements are a source of pride, especially for your family, coaches, and everyone who has supported and encouraged you along the way.

“This, to me, is reconciliation in action. More than ever in these challenging times, we need young people like you to give us hope. Keep following your dreams and reaching for the stars.”

Due to the pandemic restrictions, the Regional Awards celebrations could not be held this year. As a way of honouring this year’s recipients, I·SPARC has produced a series of commemorative videos highlighting each of the region's athletes and celebrating their outstanding achievements.