Honouring the Tom Longboat Legacy

Tom Longboat was one of the most celebrated and accomplished athletes in Canadian history. A member of the Onondaga Nation who resided in Six Nations of the Grand River, Tom Longboat was one of the most gifted long distance runners of his time. In just his third competitive race, he set the world record for the marathon, smashing the previous mark by over five and half minutes. In the years prior to the First World War, Tom Longboat won most of the major distance races in North America and Europe, including the Boston Marathon and the Powderhall Marathon in Edinburgh, Scotland. At a time when indoor marathon running attracted sell-out crowds, he was the world's professional champion. At one point or another, he held every Canadian record from one mile to the marathon. Throughout his life, Tom Longboat spoke proudly of his First Nations heritage and held his head high in times of great adversity. He was the headline attraction wherever he raced, drawing huge crowds and a widespread following. In 1999, Maclean's Magazine voted him the #1 Canadian sports figure of the twentieth century. Established in 1951, the Tom Longboat Award serves as a proud national symbol for all Aboriginal peoples in Canada.
Dr. Bruce Kidd
Olympian & Tom Longboat Historian

For information on the Tom Longboat Awards click here

Honoring Aboriginal Coaches in Canada

Coaching is the cornerstone of community sport and recreation. Likewise, the success of Aboriginal participation in sport is dependent on the leadership of qualified coaches. In support of training Aboriginal coaches through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP), the Aboriginal Sport Circle annually recognizes the outstanding leadership of certified Aboriginal coaches across Canada.

The Awards

Every year, deserving male and female certified Aboriginal coaches from each province/territory are selected for the Aboriginal Coaching Awards. Regional recipients automatically advance as nominees for the prestigious National Award that is presented to the most outstanding male and female Aboriginal coach in Canada.

For information on the Aboriginal Coaching Awards click here.