The Shooting Federation of Canada (SFC) proudly acknowledges the athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers who have gone above and beyond in 2025. Through their dedication, talent, and sportsmanship, they have played a vital role in advancing shooting sports across Canada.
The Shooting Federation of Canada extends its sincere thanks to all members who submitted nominations this year. The Awards Committee was presented with an exceptional group of nominees whose achievements and contributions reflect the strength, dedication, and depth of excellence within our community. The selection process was particularly challenging given the high caliber of nominations received, and SFC is grateful to everyone who took the time to recognize and celebrate their peers.
2025 SFC Award Recipients
Athletes of the Year
The Athletes of the Year Award is presented to athletes who have distinguished themselves through exceptional performance, dedication, and sportsmanship within their discipline. Final selection is made by the SFC Awards Committee. This year, the Athletes of the Year Award proudly recognizes Madeleine L. Boyd and Clair McCarthy for their outstanding performances.
Madeleine L. Boyd
Madeleine Boyd has demonstrated exceptional competitive performance and exemplary sportsmanship while representing Canada on the international stage. Competing in Olympic Skeet, she consistently upholds the highest standards of professionalism, focus, and respect for fellow competitors and officials.
In 2025, Madeleine recorded one of the top performances by a Canadian woman at the World Championships, finishing with a score of 118/124, narrowly missing qualification for the final and placing among the top athletes in the field. This result represents one of the highest placements achieved by a Canadian woman at a World Championship in recent decades. She further strengthened her international standing with a top-eight finish at the USA Spring Selection, while also earning the title of 2025 Canadian Women’s National Champion.
Training and competing internationally, Madeleine continues to represent Canada with consistency, composure, and determination. Her calm presence on the range, respect for officials, and supportive attitude toward fellow athletes reflect the values of the Shooting Federation of Canada. Through both her competitive results and her conduct, Madeleine serves as a positive ambassador for Canadian shooting sports and is a deserving recipient of the 2025 Athlete of the Year Award.
“Madeleine delivered one of the strongest performances by a Canadian woman at the World Championships in recent decades, representing Canada with exceptional composure, professionalism, and respect for the sport.”
— Nomination submission
Claire McCarthy
In 2025, Claire McCarthy made a remarkable international debut at the Novi Sad World Shooting Para Sport (WSPS) Grand Prix, where she earned her international classification (SH1A) and competed across all four rifle disciplines. Her standout performance included a silver medal in the R8 50m Smallbore 3P event, a 6th-place finish in R2, and Minimum Qualifying Scores in R2, R3, R6, and R8 for the 2026 World Championships. Domestically, Claire continued her dominance by winning first place in all four rifle disciplines at the 2025 National Championships.
Beyond competition, Claire is a dedicated volunteer coach, supporting developing athletes with patience, encouragement, and a strong emphasis on safety and technical fundamentals. She serves as a Board Member with the Newfoundland and Labrador Shooting Association and a Committee Member with Recreation NL, demonstrating her commitment to growing the sport at both provincial and community levels. Her participation in the Memorial University Limitless Leadership Program further reflects her dedication to leadership, integrity, and continuous growth. Through her professionalism, inclusivity, and unwavering dedication, Claire McCarthy is an outstanding ambassador for Canadian shooting and para sport.
“Claire exemplifies excellence both on and off the firing line, combining international-level performance with a genuine commitment to mentoring and growing para shooting in her community.”
— Nomination submission
Official of the Year
The Official of the Year Award recognizes an official who has made an outstanding contribution to their discipline through dedication, leadership, and service.
Sandra Honour
Dr. Sandra Honour’s impact on shooting sports in Canada and internationally is extraordinary. In 2025 alone, she officiated, juried, and organized events across the globe, including the Canadian National Championships, CAT Championships in the Bahamas, Malaga Grand Prix, World Cups in Lima and Cyprus, World Shooting Para Sport Trap Grand Prix, USA Shooting Junior Olympic Championships, and the Junior Pan American Games in Paraguay.
Sandra consistently officiates with the athlete as her top priority. As both an official and a shooter, she understands the commitment athletes make and applies the rules fairly and consistently to ensure equitable competition. Her dedication was formally recognized when the ISSF President awarded her the ISSF Diploma of Honour.
In addition to her work on the field of play, Sandra has provided exceptional officiating leadership through her service within SFC, helping guide governance, strategic planning, and organizational stability during key transitional periods. She has also strengthened officiating environments by championing accessibility at her local range and mentoring athletes and officials without compensation.
Sandra’s integrity, professionalism, and athlete-centered approach exemplify the highest standard of officiating, making her a truly deserving recipient of the Official of the Year Award.
“Sandra applies the rules with the athlete foremost in mind, ensuring fair and consistent competition while setting the highest standard for officiating leadership in Canada and internationally.”
— Nomination submission
Coach of the Year
The Coach of the Year Award recognizes exceptional coaching achievement and contributions to athlete development at the local, provincial, and national levels.
Michel Poitras
Coach Michel Poitras has made a profound impact across Quebec and Canada through his leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence. He leads provincial training camps for the Quebec Shooting Federation, overseeing all aspects of planning and delivery to ensure consistent, high-quality development for both rifle and pistol athletes. He accompanied Team Quebec to national-level competitions and regularly supports athletes and coaches across provincial lines.
Michel is deeply committed to professional development, having completed the ISSF Rifle Coach Level D certification. He is also a strong advocate for modern training tools, providing detailed SCATT analysis and remote coaching to athletes throughout the province. His expertise in equipment customization and technical problem-solving is widely respected.
Beyond performance outcomes, Michel models sportsmanship and respect for officials, frequently stepping in as a competition official when needed. Through mentorship, innovation, and community engagement, he has elevated coaching standards and athlete development nationwide.
“Michel’s technical expertise, innovative use of training tools, and commitment to athlete development have elevated coaching standards well beyond his province.”
— Nomination submission
Volunteers of the Year
The Volunteer of the Year Award honours individuals who have devoted extraordinary time and effort to the promotion and operation of shooting sports in Canada. This year, the Volunteer of the Year Award is presented in memoriam to Louis Anderson and Massimiliano Cisco, in recognition of their lasting contributions to shooting sports in Canada.
Louis (Lou) Anderson
Lou Anderson dedicated more than 50 years to volunteering as an official, organizer, and promoter of the sport. In recent years, he remained deeply involved, managing the LSBA Winter Matches and Indoor Provincial Championships, and coordinating programs, results, and awards. Even while facing significant health challenges, Lou completed the administration of the 2025 LSBA season while recovering from a broken hip, demonstrating remarkable dedication and resilience. His commitment ensured the continued success of the program during a challenging period.
Lou passed away in November 2025, leaving a profound and lasting impact on the shooting community. His dedication helped sustain Ontario’s winter league for 54 consecutive years, and he served as the backbone of event coordination, promotion, and communication, sharing competition opportunities across his extensive network. Lou’s selflessness, perseverance, and passion for the sport defined his service. Even while recovering from injury, he continued to give his time and energy, going above and beyond for a community he deeply believed in. His legacy will be felt for generations to come.
“Even while facing serious health challenges, Lou continued to give everything he had to the sport, ensuring competitions ran smoothly and athletes were supported.”
— Nomination submission
Massimiliano (Max) Cisco
Max was a central figure at the Toronto International Trap & Skeet Club and a founding contributor to Ontario Olympic Trapshooting. For more than 40 years, he volunteered tirelessly in support of the sport, mentoring athletes, maintaining equipment, and helping ensure high-quality training and competition environments at the local, provincial, and national levels. He was deeply committed to athlete development, coaching excellence, and fair play, and was always willing to step in to support competitions and officials whenever needed.
Even at 87 years old, Max remained actively involved until his passing in September 2025. A mentor, technician, ambassador, and friend, he inspired generations of shooters through his warmth, enthusiasm, and unwavering dedication. His influence is woven into the foundation of shooting sports in Ontario and across Canada, and his legacy will be felt for many years to come.
“Max’s dedication, mentorship, and tireless volunteer service shaped generations of athletes and helped build the foundation of Olympic trapshooting in Ontario.”
— Nomination submission
Ernie Sopsich Memorial Fund (New Shooter)
This award recognizes a new shooter who exemplifies sportsmanship, dedication, and leadership while contributing positively to their club and the broader shooting community.
Lydia Quin
Since beginning air pistol in 2023, Lydia Quin has demonstrated exceptional commitment and growth. Despite long travel distances, she consistently finds creative ways to train, compete, and improve. Her competitive pathway includes regional, provincial, national, and international events, including the Canadian National Air gun Grand Prix and the Camp Perry Open.
Lydia is widely respected for her positive attitude, leadership, and willingness to support others. She actively helps introduce new shooters to the sport, builds confidence among younger athletes, and applies mental skills learned through shooting to her studies and daily life. Her dedication, maturity, and sportsmanship make her a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.
“Lydia stands out for her resilience, positive attitude, and willingness to support others, embodying the very best values of sportsmanship and leadership in a new shooter.”
— Nomination submission
Eddy Mark Shaske Memorial Award (Junior Shooter)
The Eddy Mark Shaske Memorial Award is presented to the top junior shooter who has demonstrated exceptional potential and performance.
Lucas Loftin
In just his second season competing in ISSF 3-Position, Lucas delivered a remarkable year. He set a new National Junior 3P record (565) at the 2025 Nationals, won his second Junior Men’s 3P Championship, and finished 4th overall in the Open Men’s final. Provincially, he set two Ontario records (580 indoor and outdoor), becoming Open Provincial Champion.
Lucas is known for his work ethic, sportsmanship, and respect for officials. His integrity and commitment make him an excellent representative of Canadian shooting as he looks toward international competition in 2026.
“Lucas’s work ethic, integrity, and rapid progression set him apart as an exceptional junior athlete with clear international potential.”
— Nomination submission
Jim O’Connor Memorial Award
The Jim O’Connor Memorial Award honours an individual whose lifetime contribution has significantly advanced shooting sports in Canada.
Ray Fisher
Ray has served in numerous leadership roles over many years, including SFC Board Director, Vice President of Domestic Development, and a long-standing member of the Coaching Committee. His involvement in shooting sports began in the mid-1980s, nearly 40 years ago, when his son John began competing with the Atlantic Marksman Association. Inspired by his son’s participation, Ray became deeply committed to the sport, a commitment that continued even after John’s passing several years later.
Within a few years, Ray became a fully certified NCCP coach, achieving Level 3 status, and began contributing extensively to the Shooting Federation of Nova Scotia (SFNS) and the Canada Winter Games program. He played a central role in developing coaching training programs and policies, organizing provincial air gun competitions, and selecting, training, and supporting Nova Scotia athletes for the Canada Games. His leadership culminated in his involvement on the Steering Committee for the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax. From 2001 to 2014, Ray served as President of SFNS, working closely with Sport Nova Scotia to secure sustainable funding and strengthen programs for athletes and member clubs across the province.
At the national level, Ray was instrumental in the development and delivery of the Competition Development Rifle Coach Course and played a major role in shaping the NCCP Competition Development coach certification pathway. His most enduring legacy is his vision and perseverance in creating the Canadian Junior Airgun Championships, established to replace the loss of the Canada Winter Games shooting program. The first in-person event was successfully held in 2023 in Truro, Nova Scotia, providing a vital national platform for junior athlete development.
SFC proudly recognizes Ray’s impact, leadership, and dedication. His contributions have strengthened coaching, governance, and athlete development nationwide, shaping Canadian shooting sports for the better.
“Ray’s lifelong commitment to coaching, governance, and junior athlete development has left an enduring legacy that continues to shape shooting sports across Canada.”
— Nomination submission
The Shooting Federation of Canada congratulates all 2025 award recipients and thanks them for their exceptional contributions. Their dedication, leadership, and passion continue to inspire the next generation of Canadian shooters.
