The Shooting Federation of Canada (SFC) is proud to celebrate the outstanding athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers whose remarkable contributions elevate the sport each year. Through dedication, skill, and unwavering sportsmanship, many individuals not only achieve excellence but also play a vital role in shaping the future of shooting sports in Canada. We are honoured to recognize a small handful of these individuals through our awards program.

Annually SFC presents the following awards:

Athletes of the Year

Official of the Year

Coach of the Year

Volunteer of the Year

Ernie Sopsich Memorial Fund

Eddy Mark Shaske Memorial Award

Jim O’Connor Memorial Award

We are now accepting nominations for all awards based on the 2026 year. Please review the award criteria below and consider nominating key people you interact with in the shooting community who make a significant difference to our sport.

To submit a nomination, please CLICK HERE to complete the online form before January 3rd 2027.

On behalf of the Awards Committee, please direct any questions to Lisa Roddie

Award Breakdown and Criteria

The criteria to be selected as an award recipient for any SFC Award includes:

• A member in good standing of Shooting Federation of Canada
• The majority of activity substantiating the nomination is from the current calendar year.
• Demonstrates a positive contribution to the sport of shooting, embodying the values of SFC and garnering the respect of their peers and colleagues.

Criteria for specific awards, in addition to the above, is listed below.

Athletes of the Year

The Athlete of the Year Awards are presented to athletes for distinguishing themselves in their discipline within amateur sport shooting. Normally the athlete has achieved success at notable events while demonstrating the personal qualities vital to the shooting community’s positive culture and demonstrating an integrity fitting the Shooting Federation of Canada. Awards will be presented when there are suitable candidates in the categories of Shotgun, Rifle, Pistol and Para. 

Coach of the Year

The Coach of the Year Award will be presented annually to a NCCP trained or certified coach of para or able bodied shooters who have produced outstanding results on behalf of their organization at the local, provincial or national level in the immediate past season/year; and
– demonstrates a personal commitment to coaching excellence;
– role models a commitment to fair play, good sportsmanship and respect for officials;
– promotes the development of athletes’ abilities both on and off the water;
– has been continuously involved in SFC’s national coaching education program and other ongoing professional development; and
– has the respect of his or her athletes and, peers.

Official of the Year

The Official of the Year Award recognizes the contribution of an Official who has made a significant and exemplary contribution to Olympic sport shooting in Canada, particularly in the immediate past season/year. To be eligible an Official must have been certified for a minimum of three years.

The SFC Official of the Year would be one who:
– Consistently ensures the safety of athletes and the fair conduct of competition
– Demonstrates a willingness to: be available to attend a variety of matches; participate in different roles; travel to areas where there are limited officials; and, be flexible with their methods to remain up to date with changes to the ISSF Rules
– Contributes to all aspects of their role as an Official,

– Has made a contribution to the advancement of officiating at their Club, Provincial, National or International levels;
– Is firm and fair with competitors and coaches at all positions and under any circumstance that may arise; and
– Is a positive role model to other Officials by ensuring the SFC standards and Rules are fairly and consistently interpreted and applied.

Volunteer of the Year

The Volunteer of the Year Award is to be presented to an individual who has, in a manner consistent with SFC’s values of excellence, integrity and community made an exemplary contribution to the sport in the areas of leadership, development and growth. Distinct from Long Service or Lifetime Achievement Awards, this award is intended to recognize a volunteer member at a club or provincial level who has, through a particular piece of work or initiative made a significant contribution that has had a strong and positive impact on the shooting community, particularly in the immediate past season/year.

Examples of areas where a volunteer might have made a significant contribution over the past year include; special events (i.e. championship hosted at the club, anniversary celebrations); building construction, renovations or upgrades (unpaid work); program development for adults, persons with a disability, or youth; specific fundraising campaign; successful membership campaign; successful volunteer recruitment;
Eligible nominations are not necessarily restricted to these areas. If your club has a deserving and eligible volunteer who contributed to an area not listed here, please send it in, it will be considered equally.

To be eligible the nominee will have volunteered consistently for the sport for a period of not less than 5 years.

Ernie Sopsich Memorial Fund (New Shooter)

This prestigious award is presented annually to a new shooter who has a good attitude toward training, good behavior and sportsmanship, who helps other athletes in their club, who participates in competitions, and who shows respect towards coaches, officials, and fellow competitors.

The award recognizes Ernie Sopsich who for many years was a member of Canada’s National Smallbore Rifle Team, competing internationally, his love for the shooting sports was reflected in his enthusiasm and dedication to assist others.

The individual is an athlete that will help our sport to progress by being an example for their peers. A new shooter is defined as someone who has competed in one or less Nationals.

Eddy Mark Shaske Memorial Award (Junior Shooter)

This award was established in 1984 to honor the memory of Eddy Mark Shaske Jr., who represented Canada in Men’s Trap on numerous occasions before his untimely death in 1983. The award aims to promote, assist, and support the development of a junior who has shown great potential. The Awards Committee uses the Canadian Ranking System to compare disciplines. The award is given to the top junior shooter in international or national competition.

Jim O’Connor Memorial Award

This award was established in 1983 to honor the memory of Jim O’Connor, who was instrumental in organizing competitions and held key leadership roles within the SFC. This prestigious award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated a longstanding significant contribution to the development and promotion of the shooting sports in Canada. It will be awarded when the Awards Committee is aware of a suitable candidate who fits the requirements.