Spalding & Pelchat Winners of 2022 Neil Daffern Award for Excellence

Celebrating the 21st anniversary with the 2022/23 Recipients of the Neil Daffern Award for Excellence

Cam Spalding (Havelock, ON) & Juliette Pelchat (Whistler, BC) have been named recipients of the 2022/2023 Neil Daffern Award for Excellence. The Award, named in honour of the legacy of Neil Daffern, aims to recognize and provide financial assistance to Canadian riders who have the potential to be among the World’s best in their respective disciplines. 

A pioneer in snowboarding, Neil Daffern co-designed the first twin-tip snowboard under the BARFOOT name, which paved the way for progression of freestyle snowboarding as we know it today. His legacy has lived on and through his charity has helped numerous Canadian athletes achieve their goals.
 
The Daffern’s have selected Cam Spalding (Havelock, ON) & Juliette Pelchat (Whistler, BC) for the full $10k each.
 
Coming off his first World Cup career podium last week in Calgary where the award was also announced, Cam Spalding looks to build off his recent success;
 
“A Big thank you to the Daffern family for awarding me with this grant it truly means a lot! Knowing the long list of amazing snowboarders that have won in the past it is an honour to be among them. With the help of the grant I can continue to pursue my dream of being a professional snowboarder with less financial stress to focus wholly on my boarding. Thank you for allowing people like me to chase their dreams.”

Pelchat also had an epic week in Calgary, making a World Cup finals for the first time in her career. When asked about joining the legendary group of athletes as previous award winners and the legacy it provides, Pelchat commented:

"I am incredibly honoured to be the recipient of such an incredible award. I am so excited to make the most of it and maximize every opportunity that comes my way. Thank you to the Daffern family."

Canada Snowboard would like to thank the Daffern Family for their on-going contribution to developing riders within the sport system in Canada. 
 
Neil Daffern Award for Excellence Recipients to date:

2022 Cam Spalding (SBS)* Juliette Pelchat (SBS)

2021 Tyler Turner (PARA)* Colby Graham (SBX)* Ben Heldman (Alpine)
2020 Brooke D’Hondt (HP)* Liam Moffatt (SBX)* Liam Gill (HP)
2019 Kaylie Buck (Alpine)* Liam Brearley (SS & BA)
2018 Audrey McManiman (SBX) * Evan Bichon (SBX)
2017 Laurie Blouin (SBS) * John Leslie (PARA) * Carter Jarvis (SBS)
2016 Zoe Bergermann (SBX) * Timothy Crighton (SBS)
2015 Katie Anderson (SBX) * Kiersten Higginson (SBS) * Michelle Salt (PARA)
2014 Audrey McManiman (SBS) * Zoe Bergermann (SBX)
2013 Michael Ciccarelli (SBS) * Marianne Leeson (PGS)
2012 Carle Brenneman (SBX) * Brooke Voigt (SBS)
2011 Chris Robanske (SBX) * Dan Csokonay (SBX)
2010 Palmer Taylor (HP) * Kevin Hill (SBX)
2009 Matthew Tunnicliffe (SBX) * Jake Holden (SBX)
2008 Christelle Doyon (SBX) * Micheal Lambert (PGS)
2007 Mike Robertson (SBX) * Matthew Morison (PGS)
2006 Kimikio Zakreski (PGS) * Kory Wright (HP)
2005 Erin Simmons (SBX) * Philippe Bérubé (PGS)
2004 Sarah Conrad (HP) * Tom Velisek (SBX)
2003 Amy Newton (PGS) * Neil Connolly (HP)

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