Team Alberta Athlete wins Pat Lechelt Award at the Canada Summer Games.
Beyond competition, Alberta’s athletes embodied the spirit and values of the Games. Team Alberta Men’s Soccer player, Jaxon Marchant (Calgary) was awarded the prestigious Pat Lechelt Award, an award near and dear to the hearts of Team Alberta.
Pat Lechelt was part of Team Alberta’s Mission Staff for every Canada Games between 1989 and 2019 serving primarily as Chef de Mission or Assistant Chef de Mission.
In 2020, Alberta and the Canada Games family lost Pat and in honour of her contributions to the Games and the values she embodied, the Canada Games Council awards the Pat Lechelt Award to an athlete each week of the Games that on and off the field of play exemplifies the principles of Go For It, Play Fair, Respect Others, Keep It Fun, Stay Healthy, Include Everyone, and Give Back.
Throughout his time at the Games, Marchant had shown what leadership looked like. Becoming a role model for his teammates, arriving first, putting others ahead of himself, and building connections with everyone around him. Whether it was taking time after games to engage with young soccer players or building team spirit in the dining hall, he consistently demonstrated the
values of respect and inclusivity.
Marchant’s recognition marked the first time an Albertan has received the Pat Lechelt Award.
Jaxon Marchant - Male Soccer - Pat Lechelt Award
Photo Credit: Matt MurnaghanPat Lechelt True Sport Award Presented in Niagara
The Canada Games presented for the very first time the Pat Lechelt True Sport Award. Pat Lechelt was part of Team Alberta’s mission staff for the f the Canada Games between 1989 and 2019 as Chef de Mission or Assistant Chef de Mission.
The True Sport Award is presented to an athlete who best demonstrates True Sport Principles of Go For It, Play Fair, Respect Others, Keep it Fun, Stay Healthy, Include Everyone and Give Back, during the course of the Canada Games.
Contributions made on behalf of the Red Deer 2019 Canada Games Host Society were instrumental in bringing the award to fruition.
Developing Canada’s Premier Athletes:
The Canada Games have a played a prominent role in developing some of Canada’s premier athletes. The Games have acted as a stepping stone for many celebrated athletes including:
- Toller Cranston (1967),
- Bob Gainey (1971),
- Catriona LeMay Doan (1983 & 1987),
- Bruny Surin (1985),
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- Annie Pelletier (1989),
- Hayley Wickenheiser and Ryan Smyth (1991),
- Steve Nash (1993),
- Jennifer Heil (1999),
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- Erin McLeod (2001),
- Chandra Crawford and Sydney Crosby (2003),
- Steven Stamkos and Mark McMorris (2007),
- Nathan Mackinnon and Jonathan Drouin (2011)
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See all Team Alberta Canada Summer Games Alumni!
