Monday night saw individuals who support youth sports honoured during the South Central District SHSAA Awards banquet. 

A number of individuals from in and around Moose Jaw received awards including: 

 

South Central District Athletic Association (SCDAA) District Service Awards 

  • Jeff Feeley (Assiniboia) 

  • Curtis Hawkins (Assiniboia) 

  • Christy Kuffner (Avonlea) 

  • Jana Polupski (Peacock, Moose Jaw) 

SHSAA Provincial Officiating Excellence Award 

  • Rick Cartman (Moose Jaw) 

SHSAA Provincial Coaching Excellence Awards 

  • Christa Lapointe (Vanier, Moose Jaw) 

  • Mitch Singleton (Rouleau) 

SHSAA Provincial Service Award 

  • Leanne Meili (Vanier, Moose Jaw) 

 

Vanier’s Leanne Meili was nominated for the Provincial Service Award by Levi Broda, athletic director of Vanier Collegiate, for her 26 years of involvement in athletics at the school. 

Fellow Vanier teacher and coach, Christa Lapointe, spoke about Meili’s award. “It has been given to coaches, officials, or volunteers in the past, and Leanne is one that covers all of those areas in regards to her involvement in high school sports over her plus-25 year career here in Moose Jaw.” 

Meili was a student at Vanier, getting involved in volleyball and basketball during her four years of high school and graduating in 1993. When she started her career with Vanier, she jumped into coaching and assisting with volleyball, basketball, and track and field. 

“Athletics has had such a big impact on me from the time I was in high school, and then when I got hired on back at Vanier, and it’s just kind of part of who I am, and continues to be I guess,” explained Meili. 

Meili said she was honoured to receive the award. “I just love what I do with athletics at Vanier and helping out.” 

During her experience as a head coach, her teams have seen plenty of success including: 

  • 7 straight City Championships in Track and Field 

  • 2008 3A Provincial Gold in Cross Country 

  • Senior girls City Championship in 2018 in Volleyball 

She has also helped Vanier host Provincials for Track and Field and Volleyball, and Hoopla. 

Christa Lapointe said Meili’s award was well earned. “She makes sure that student athletes have the opportunities to compete, to learn, and to grow. I think it’s due to the fact that she, as a student at Vanier herself, was able to be mentored by some of the greats here at Vanier Collegiate, and she wanted to provide those same experiences.” 

Lapointe said that she was humbled and speechless for her own award for coaching excellence. She has coached basketball at Vanier and assisted with track and field and cross country.  

She spoke about her experience as head coach of the Senior girls’ basketball team during the last five years. “Due to the ladies’ hard work and commitment and their ability to support each other, the team has been very successful, especially in the last 2-3 years, getting to City Finals, winning City Championships, and competing in Hoopla over the past two years has just been great.” 

She added, “You coach, and you give your time and energy to help kids learn about themselves and to grow as individuals. It’s not just about the sport and honing in on their skills, but it’s about providing them with a community and a culture and a way to help view not just the sport, but life.” 

Lapointe spoke about the importance of the awards and sent congratulations to all the winners. “It’s nice for educators and volunteers and officials to be recognized for the hard work that goes into it.”