The Athletic Excellence Fund (AEF) recognizes athletic and academic excellence of the province’s top athletes. Supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation (TCAR) and Sport Newfoundland and Labrador (Sport NL), the AEF includes the Premier’s Athletic Awards, Team Gushue Awards, Elite Athlete Assistance, Michelle Healey Memorial Award, and Sport NL Scholarships.
Completed applications must be submitted electronically to the relevant PSO by end of day Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
Guidelines and Application
2026 Athletic Excellence Fund Guidelines
2026 Athletic Excellence Fund Application
For more information about the Premier’s Athletic Award, Team Gushue Award, Elite Athlete Assistance and/or Michelle Healey Memorial Award contact:
Bill Taggart
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
billtaggart@gov.nl.ca
709-729-6291
For more information about the Sport NL Scholarship, contact:
Candice Petten
Sport NL
cpetten@sportnl.ca
709-576-4629
Team Gushue Award Recipients
The Team Gushue Award was established in 2007, in recognition of Team Gushue’s gold medal victory at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. The award recognizes academic and athletic excellence and is presented to one male and one female athlete annually.
| Year | Name | Sport |
| 2025 | Falon McLoughlan | Volleyball |
| Gavin Baggs | Parasport | |
| 2024 |
Brooklyn Wolfrey | Badminton |
| Gleb Evstigneev | Gymnastics | |
| 2023 | Nathan Luscombe | Swimming |
| Abby Newhook | Hockey | |
| 2022 | Liam Drover-Mattinen | Tennis |
| Jaida Lee | Baseball | |
| 2021 | Nathan Young | Curling |
| Abby Newhook | Hockey | |
| 2020 | Alex Newhook | Hockey |
| Maggie Connors | Hockey | |
| 2019 | Noah Cumby | Swimming |
| Maggie Connors | Hockey | |
| 2018 | Jordan Pomeroy | Softball |
| Angel Hiltz-Morrell | Wrestling | |
| 2017 | Patrick Parfrey | Rugby |
| Jillian Forsey | Athletics | |
| 2016 | Patrick Parfrey | Rugby |
| Jillian Forsey | Athletics | |
| 2015 | Ben Taylor | Target Shooting |
| Jillian Forsey | Athletics | |
| 2014 | Ben Taylor | Target Shooting |
| Jillian Forsey | Athletics | |
| 2013 | Shane Boland | Softball |
| Katarina Roxon | Swimming | |
| 2012 | Justin Hearn | Target Shooting |
| Katarina Roxon | Swimming | |
| 2011 | Ben Taylor | Target Shooting |
| Rebecca Power | Sailing | |
| 2010 | Ryan Boland | Softball |
| Brenda Greene | Target Shooting | |
| 2009 | Ryan Brockerville | Athletics |
| Rebecca Power | Sailing | |
| 2008 | Zach Garland | Cycling |
| Sarah Paul | Curling | |
| 2007 | Jason Hill | Softball |
| Victoria Thistle | Basketball |