Impact Report 2025-2026

2024-2025

IMPACT REPORT

Message from Sport Manitoba

About Us

Janet McMahonPresident & CEO | Sport Manitoba

Susanne DandenaultBoard Chair | Sport Manitoba

Strategic Priorities

Reflecting on Our 2024-2025 Goals

Nurture a Strong Culture

Nurture a Strong Culture

Build the Capacity of Sport

Move More Manitobans Through Sport

Sport Initiation

We want to make a kid’s first introduction to sport a positive one, where they can discover something they really enjoy that leads to being active for life. These events and resources helped get kids active while having fun, and just may have sparked an interest to take up the sport.

Engaging Kids toPick Up Sport

Game Day

Getting Started in Sport

MOVE MORE MANITOBANS THROUGH SPORT

Night of Champions

Recognizing Athletes, Coaches, Officials, and Volunteers

Award Winners

Our annual Night of Champions presented by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries recognizes Manitoba's top athlete, team, coach, official, and volunteer of the year.

• Zdravka Tchonkova | Konica Minolta Official of the Year, Equestrian
• Colin Mark | 2017 Canada Games Legacy Fund Volunteer of the Year, Manitoba Games
• Darcy Furber | SBC Insurance Athlete of the Year, Volleyball
• 2024-25 Brandon University Bobcats Men’s Volleyball | Calm Air Team of the Year, Curling
• Tammy De Jong | Coach of the Year, Rhythmic Gymnastics

A Celebration

At an intimate invite-only event for the winners, their families and friends, each award winner did an interview with our host, Matt Leibl, and received a bursary to put toward furthering their involvement in sport. Plus, a banner with their name and award is displayed on Sport Manitoba's courts.

BUILD THE CAPACITY OF SPORT

Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame

Preserving and Celebrating Our Local Sport Heritage

Class of 2024

Troy Westwood | Athlete, FootballAshley (Lanz) Gilstad | Athlete, SoftballRuss Paddock | Athlete/Builder, VolleyballColonel Gary Solar | Builder, Multi-SportGlen Bergeron | Builder, Sport Medicine 1987 Lucania FC | Team, Soccer

This year, we are also proud to add Peter Young to the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Media Roll of Honour. Click the plus next to their names to watch tributes and acceptance speeches.

NURTURE A STRONG CULTURE

Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame

Preserving and Celebrating Our Local Sport Heritage

The Gallery

Thanks to the generosity and dedication of our local sport community, our annual patron donor program raised $25,080 this year. We sold 849 tickets for the Winnipeg Whisky Festival presented by Manitoba Liquor Mart on February 28 and March 1, raising $115,284 between the event and its auction. The funds we raised go toward preserving and showcasing our sport heritage, including in our Gallery, inspiring generations for years to come.

NURTURE A STRONG CULTURE

Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame

Preserving and Celebrating Our Local Sport Heritage

The Gallery

Thanks to the generosity and dedication of our local sport community, our annual patron donor program raised $25,080 this year. We sold 849 tickets for the Winnipeg Whisky Festival presented by Manitoba Liquor Mart on February 28 and March 1, raising $115,284 between the event and its auction. The funds we raised go toward preserving and showcasing our sport heritage, including in our Gallery, inspiring generations for years to come.

NURTURE A STRONG CULTURE

Officials Development

Fostering Longevity

It Takes a Communityto Play

6,659

$92,488

Officials in Manitoba

Provided to support community coaches and officials

Sport Manitoba is proud to partner with Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries to address some of the biggest challenges the amateur sport system in our province currently faces, including safeguarding sport, coach, official, and volunteer recruitment, training, and retention, and Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) development.

We help connect officials to their provincial sport organizations for training, provide grants and scholarships for financial assistance, and advocate for the positive treatment of officials across Manitoba.

BUILD THE CAPACITY OF SPORT

Coaching Development

Developing High-Quality Coaches

Coach Screening

We understand screening coaches is a vital part of providing a safe sporting environment. To be a recognized PSO, it is our requirement that organizations have a coach screening policy in place. Our staff collaborated with PSOs to ensure they meet our minimum requirements, including risk assessment for each coaching position, assigning appropriate screening levels, and supporting youth who are advancing into a new coaching role. This year, 53 PSOs have a coach screening policy and seven are in the process of updating their policy.

Sport Manitoba Coaching develops our province’s coaches through education and training, and providing programs, resources, and recognition.

7,690

16,810

Respect in Sport (new certifications & re-certifications)

Active coaches in Manitoba

1,679

$92,488

Coaches took NCCP modules

Provided to support community coaches and officials

BUILD THE CAPACITY OF SPORT

Grants & Funding

We support our sport partners through grants and funding in an effort to allow more Manitobans to play and excel in sport. Some of the highlights include:

Opportunities for Sport Development

We support our sport partners through grants and funding in an effort to allow more Manitobans to play and excel in sport. Some of the highlights include:

• $1,415,429 in Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries grants

• 17 Women to Watch grants to 11 athletes and six coaches

• $1,000,946 in Canada-Manitoba Bilateral Sport Support Program, giving PSOs and organizations support to deliver quality sport

• $7,238,699 directly to sport partners
• $26,700 in academic scholarships to 19 high school students, 10 university students, and six Manitoba coaches
• $662,036 in KidSport grants, supporting 1,802 kids in 39 sports from 110 local communities
• $91,000 in Regional/Community Sport Development grants

BUILD THE CAPACITY OF SPORT

Multi-Sport Games

Supporting the athlete pathway

Manitoba Games powered

by Manitoba Hydro

The 2026 Manitoba Winter Games hosted in Thompson brought together thousands of participants from across the province, proving to be more than just a sporting event—they were a powerful celebration of athletic excellence and northern community spirit. Across 12 sports, the many unforgettable moments set the stage for inspiring the next generation of champions. The Games secured [BLANK] in funding, resulting in meaningful facility upgrades and enhanced winter sport infrastructure, leaving a lasting legacy for the host community and strengthening sport development across Manitoba.

MOVE MORE MANITOBANS THROUGH SPORT

Multi-Sport Games

Supporting the Athlete Pathway

Canada Games

Team Manitoba proudly competed at the 2025 Canada Summer Games in St. John's. In the lead-up to the Games, an investment of approximately $300,000 was directed toward 2025 sports, supporting pre-Games training, competition, and selection processes. That commitment helped Team Manitoba deliver strong performances in Newfoundland and provided valuable experience for athletes, coaches, and support staff alike. With the Summer Games now complete, the focus has shifted ahead to the 2027 Canada Winter Games in Quebec City. Building on the momentum from St. John’s, Sport Manitoba continues to evaluate and refine its approach, with an emphasis on long-term athlete development and sustained success on the national stage.

99:13:21:50

Days

Hrs

Mins

Secs

The countdownto Quebec City is on!

MOVE MORE MANITOBANS THROUGH SPORT

Abuse Has No Place in Sport

Pathway to Safer Sport

These initiatives play a crucial role in fostering an environment where individuals can thrive in sport – one that is built on principles of respect, safety, and inclusion. By providing education, guidance, and support, together with our sport partners, we’re helping empower Manitobans to collectively create a culture that prioritizes the well-being of participants. - Janet McMahon, President & CEO, Sport Manitoba on our first-ever Safe Sport Summit

Working Together

Working Together

Safe Sport Summit

Safe Sport Champions

Working Together

Independent Complaint Management

NURTURE A STRONG CULTURE

Facility Services

Reinvesting in Manitoba's Amateur Sport System

All facility services at 145 Pacific Avenue in Winnipeg generate revenue that is reinvested back into the amateur sport system and community programs across Manitoba. When you choose the clinic for your physiotherapy, purchase a membership at the Fitness Centre, register for a Performance training camp, or rent court space for your sport, that money goes back into amateur sport.

All facility services at 145 Pacific Avenue in Winnipeg generate revenue that is reinvested back into the amateur sport system and community programs across Manitoba. When you choose the clinic for your physiotherapy, purchase a membership at the Fitness Centre, register for a Performance training camp, or rent court space for your sport, that money goes back into amateur sport.

REINVESTING IN AMATEUR SPORT

Facility Services

Community Programs

Community Groups

When our facility was built as a legacy of the Canada Summer Games in 2017, part of the vision for the downtown organization was to give back to the community, particularly in ways that reflect its mission that every Manitoban should have the opportunity to play and be active. As a large facility with a variety of resources, we provide the space for community programs to run each week, welcoming several schools and groups. Many of the individuals who utilize this programming need access to gyms, training facilities, or health-related resources. By welcoming these groups to use the Sport Manitoba facility, people of all ages are able to engage in safe and accessible sport and recreational activities.

"Our agency has been able to facilitate basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, and badminton for our folks in a fun and non-judgmental environment they would not otherwise have accessed on their own. Having access to high quality facilities and equipment has had a huge impact in sparking interest in physical activity." - Life’s Journey

This paragraph is ready to be filled with incredible creativity, experiences, and stories.

REINVESTING IN AMATEUR SPORT

Financials

Statement of Financial Position

Financials

Statement of Operations and Accumulated Operating Surplus

Our Partners

We couldn't do what we do without their support

Build the Capacity of Sport

We focused on:

• Grants and communications to sport partners
• Strong governance and capacity building
• Manitoba Action Plan for Sport

Move More Manitobans Through Sport

We focused on:

• Rural sport initiation
• Coach and official recruitment
• Manitoba Games powered by Manitoba Hydro

Sport Manitoba Clinic

• 9,290 total patient visits
• 2,570 new patients

Learn more about the Sport Manitoba Clinic

Russ Paddock is a former Olympian and respected sport leader whose career spans elite competition, coaching, and administration in volleyball. A member of Canada’s 1992 Olympic team, he also earned national and international medals before transitioning into a successful coaching career and later becoming Athletic Director at Brandon University. Recognized as both a player and builder, Paddock’s lasting impact has helped shape volleyball and athlete development in Manitoba.

Nurture a Strong Culture

We focused on:

• Independent third-party complaint mechanism
• Facility accessibility plan
• Sport Manitoba Safe Sport Conference

Safe Sport Summit

Building a Safer and Stronger Sport Culture

Sport Manitoba held its first free Safe Sport Summit this year, providing an important opportunity for participants to learn from others, discuss current topics, and ensure leaders in the province’s sport system have the knowledge and the tools to provide quality sport experiences to all Manitobans. The event spanned over two days — a town hall-style evening with a keynote speech from safe sport advocate and founder of Generation Safe, Allison Forsyth (right), followed by a workshop-style event on Saturday morning, including an address from the Honourable Glen Simard, Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism. Leading up to the Summit, Sport Manitoba held three free webinars. The webinars were led by Allison Forsyth and provided an introduction to safe sport topics designed for different audiences.

Lucania Football Club is a historic Manitoba soccer team best known for winning the 1987 Canadian senior men’s championship on home soil. Their national title marked a major milestone for soccer in the province, showcasing Manitoba’s ability to compete at the highest level. The team’s legacy endures as a defining moment in the province’s sport history, later earning induction into the Manitoba Soccer Hall of Fame.

Sport Manitoba Performance

• 1,400 athletes
• 6,200 training hours
• 17 Canada Games sports leading up to 2025 Games

Learn more about Sport Manitoba Performance

Nurture a Strong Culture

We focused on:

• Independent third-party complaint mechanism
• Facility accessibility plan
• Sport Manitoba Safe Sport Conference

Colonel Gary Solar is a lifelong athlete and influential sport leader who has made significant contributions to sport development in Manitoba. He played a key role in developing aquatic facilities, major events, and sport organizations across Manitoba. From founding the Manitoba Water Polo League to shaping national sport initiatives, Solar’s decades-long impact has left a lasting legacy on sport in the province.

We're thrilled to see local athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers achieve great things across the province and around the world. Most importantly, we're happy to see Manitobans enjoy sport in a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment, where they can explore their full potential. Thank you to the Province of Manitoba for their critical support and to the Board of Directors for their direction and commitment to our mission. Thank you to the volunteers and sport partners for your dedication to the growth of sport in our province -- we are sincerely appreciative and proud of our collaborative sports community. As a non-profit organization, the revenue generated from our facility services is reinvested back into amateur sport and community programs across Manitoba. This is a big part of our collective vision, and what drives us to innovate, improve, and enhance the delivery of our services every single year. Our impact report shows how our strategic priorities were at the core of this year’s major achievements and milestones.

Janet McMahon, President and CEO, Sport Manitoba & Susanne Dandenault, Chair of the Board of Directors

Ashley Lanz-Gilstad is one of Manitoba’s top softball pitchers, rising from community-level play to compete internationally with Canada’s national team. A decorated athlete, she earned multiple pitching honours at the collegiate and national levels and helped Canada win silver at the 2011 Pan American Games, while also playing professionally in Europe. Now a dedicated coach and mentor, her career is defined not only by success on the field but by perseverance through challenges, leaving a lasting impact on the sport in Manitoba.

Troy Westwood is a former professional football player and one of the most accomplished kickers in Canadian Football League (CFL) history. Over 18 seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, he set numerous league and franchise records, becoming the team’s all-time leading scorer and earning multiple all-star honours. Beyond his on-field success, Westwood is also known for his role in creating the popular Banjo Bowl, cementing his legacy as one of the franchise’s most recognizable figures.

We also partner with local and national leaders and experts to amplify the voices in underrepresented communities, and share resources and training that create and support a safer sport system.

Dr. Glen Bergeron is a highly respected athletic therapist, educator, and leader whose work has influenced generations of athletes in Manitoba and beyond. Through decades of hands-on care, teaching, and program development at the University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg, he helped shape the field of athletic therapy both nationally and internationally. His lasting impact spans from treating elite athletes—including Olympians—to mentoring future therapists, leaving a legacy that continues across multiple generations.

Safe Sport Champions

The Safe Sport Champions program in partnership with the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association (MHSAA) hosted three workshops:

• 60 student-athlete participants in Brandon

• 175 student-athlete participants in Winnipeg
• Keynote speaker and facilitator: Allison Forsyth, a sexual abuse survivor and safe sport advocate and educator

Summer Game Day presented by Qualico at Assiniboine Park:

Over 800 attendees

Over 20 sport stations

Winter Game Day presented by Qualico at Sport Manitoba:

Over 500 attendees

Over 15 sport stations

Sport Manitoba Fitness Centre

• 628+ active members
• 811 average visits per week

Learn more about the Sport Manitoba Fitness Centre

Sport Manitoba Bookings

• 9,579+ hours reserved on the courts
• 3,327 hours reserved in the flex space

Learn more about Sport Manitoba facility bookings

Community Groups

2024-2025

• Salvation Army
• Health Fitness Protection Program
• Argyle Alternative High School
• Marymound School
• Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba
• Newcomer Sport Academy
• Seven Oaks School Division
• Division scolaire franco-manitobaine
• St. James Assiniboia School Division
• Shawenim Abiinojii