Manitoba Games powered by Manitoba Hydro Awards

The J.A. Ernst Spirit of the Games Award and the Larry Desjardins Breakthrough Performance Award are intended to honour regional teams that exemplify the spirit of teamwork, fair play, and respect within the Manitoba Games powered by Manitoba Hydro. 

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J.A. Ernst Spirit of the Games Award 
Team West

The region showing the greatest enthusiasm, reflected in teamwork, respect, and fair play during the Manitoba Games powered by Manitoba Hydro will be presented the J.A. Ernst Spirit of the Games Award.

This award recognizes Ernst's significant contributions to youth sports and athletics in Manitoba. The award is named after him because of his longstanding commitment to the development of amateur sports and the growth of youth athletics in the province. J.A. Ernst was an advocate for the importance of sports and recreation for young people, believing that athletic participation was a key aspect of developing character, discipline, and community engagement. He was involved in shaping and supporting initiatives like the Manitoba Games, which aimed to provide youth across the province with opportunities to compete at high levels, build friendships, and enhance personal growth. His work helped lay the foundation for organized sports in the province.

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Larry Desjardins Breakthrough Performance Award
Team South

The region that shows the greatest improvement in results from one Summer Games to the next or from one Winter Games to the next will be awarded the Larry Desjardins Breakthrough Performance Award.

This award honours the qualities and legacy that Desjardins embodied. Both as an athlete and as a political figure, he championed amateur sport, fair play, athletic participation, and sports infrastructure in Manitoba. As Minister of Sport, he helped lay the foundations that supported athletes, recreation, and community sport across the province. His work in programs and policies set a precedent for recognizing those who show character, effort, fairness, and respect in competition. His track record as an athlete, coach, administrator, politician and community leader makes him an exemplar for what sport can be beyond winning: building community, fairness, inclusion, and continuous participation.