It’s another prestigious provincial award for Nevada Johnson.
The 19-year-old softball player from Ladner is among 10 outstanding athletes named as provincial recipients of the 2021 Premier’s Award for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sport. The honour comes with a $500 bursary, a framed limited edition Premier’s Award print and each winner’s name and biography on display at the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame.
It was just last month, Johnson attended Softball B.C.’s awards night at the Coast Tsawwassen Inn where she was named the sport’s Indigenous Minor Athlete of the Year, reflecting her Northwest Territory Métis Nation heritage.
The South Delta Secondary graduate is now in her first-year at Simon Fraser University, accepting a scholarship offer, after being recruited by head coach Tina Andreana to be part of the NCAA Division 2 program for the 2022/23 season.
The standout pitcher’s post-secondary career began last fall where she had a leading role in UBC Okanagan Heat capturing the Canadian collegiate championship. She was then among 32 athletes invited to Softball Canada’s national women’s team selection camp, held in Brampton, Ont. back in June.
This past summer, Johnson helped the Surrey 2003 Storm capture the U19 national championship.
Her Premier’s Award culminated a process that saw The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (I·SPARC) receive nominations from each of its six regions (Fraser, Interior, Northeast, Northwest, Vancouver Coastal, and Vancouver Island). Nominations were open to Indigenous athletes under the age of 25 who have competed in performance sport, demonstrated a commitment to their education and culture, and have promoted healthy and active lifestyles.
Six athletes were selected from each region, resulting in 36 regional recipients. Of the 36 regional recipients, 10 athletes were selected as provincial recipients for the 2021 Provincial Awards.
Johnson is joined by Kaelem Dumont (South Surrey), Felix Grant (Vancouver), Sasha Lam (Victoria), Scott Larden (Richmond), Gabrielle Papuskha (Surrey), Darius Sam (Lower Nicola), Kiera Pemberton (Langley), Nikolas Sertic (Nanaimo) and Sahara Tom (Nanaimo).
“The Premier’s Awards are a celebration of Indigenous youth excellence on and off the field,” said Premier John Horgan. “This year’s recipients have already achieved so much as leaders in their sport and as representatives for their community, but this is only the beginning. Congratulations on your accomplishment and know that I’ll be cheering you on from the sidelines.”
·
