OC Recognition Awards Now Live: Recognize Those In Ontario Making a Difference
Each year, members of the Ontario Cycling community make a lasting impact through their leadership, commitment and passion for the sport. Whether an athlete, coach, official, or volunteer, we want to recognize those whose contributions have enhanced our sport.
Ontario Cycling is proud to open nominations for the 2026 OC Recognition Awards, and we are inviting OC members to help celebrate the people who strengthen and work to grow our cycling community. If you know someone who deserves recognition, please submit a nomination.
Nomination Opportunities
Ontario Cycling members can submit nominations across four award categories, recognizing outstanding achievements and contributions to the sport.
When submitting a nomination, please provide detailed information about the nominee’s accomplishments, contributions, and impact made between October 01, 2025, and September 30, 2026 (except for the Coach Recognition Award, as highlighted below). The Selection Committee relies on the information submitted to evaluate candidates, so please be as specific and thorough as possible on why the person you are nominating is deserving of recognition.
All nominations must:
- Be submitted by the appropriate Nominating Group (See chart below).
- Meet the applicable Eligibility Criteria.
- Include supporting information (support letters, personal stories, news articles, etc.) that highlight the nominee’s contributions.
The deadline to submit a nomination is 11:59pm ET October 11, 2026.
A link is provided below to the relevant nomination form and award description. Before submitting a nomination, please review both the Eligibility Criteria and the specific award criteria for the category.
Eligibility Criteria
- Award recipients must hold a current and valid 2026 Ontario Cycling membership.
- Exception: The Volunteer of the Year Award and Community Spirit Award are open to nominees who are not Ontario Cycling members.
- For the purposes of these awards, an eligible member is someone in good standing holding one of the following:
- An Ontario Cycling-issued UCI License
- An Ontario Cycling issued Community, Challenge or Compete membership.
- Nominations must be based on accomplishments and/or contributions that occurred between October 1st, 2025, and September 30th, 2026.
- Exception: The Coach Recognition Award considers contributions made over the last 5 years.
- Nominations submitted without supporting details or rationale will not be considered
Key Dates
- Nomination Deadline: October 11, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
- Recipient Notification: Late October
- Official Announcement: November 2026
We encourage everyone to take this opportunity to shine a light on the people in our community who help make cycling in Ontario such a wonderful sport to be involved in. Submit your nomination today!
Awards Open to All Members to Nominate:
Recognition Award | Nominating Group | Eligible Recipient | Nomination Form Link |
Volunteer of the Year | 2026 OC Members | Anyone | |
Ryan Victor Griffin Award | 2026 OC Members | 2026 Valid OC Member – MTB Athlete | |
Coach Recognition | 2026 OC Members | 2026 Valid OC Member – NCCP Trained/Certified Coach |
In addition to the above, Athletes of the Year, Commissaire of the Year, and the Community Spirit Award will also be recognized. The nominees for these awards are nominated by specific nominating groups.
Awards Nominated by Specific Nominating Group
Recognition Award* | Nominating Group |
Commissaire of the Year | 2026 Ontario UCI Licensed Commissaires |
Community Spirit | Ontario Cycling Staff |
U17/Junior Road Athlete of the Year | OC High Performance Committee and Provincial Coaches |
U23/Elite Road Athlete of the Year | |
U17/Junior Mountain Bike Athlete of the Year | |
U23/Elite Mountain Bike Athlete of the Year | |
U17/Junior Cyclo-cross Athlete of the Year | |
U23/Elite Cyclo-cross Athlete of the Year | |
U17/Junior Track Athlete of the Year | |
U23/Elite Track Athlete of the Year | |
Tim DaSilva BMX Athlete of the Year | |
Para-Cycling Athlete of the Year |
*NOTE: Nominators cannot be family members or related to the individual they are nominating
Volunteer of the Year Award
This award recognizes an individual who has freely contributed their time, talents, and energy to elevating the sport of cycling within the province. The award is presented to the individual who exemplifies passion and commitment to the cycling community at large in any capacity over the past season. The nominee for this award need not be a member of Ontario Cycling.
Ryan Victor Griffin Award
This award is given to a MTB athlete who consistently displays all the characteristics that Ryan showed throughout his life: dedication, hard work, consistently going above and beyond expectations, always willing to step in and help others and give back, as well as showing perseverance and resiliency. The recipient also will have demonstrated a desire to actively participate and support as many Ontario events as possible.
Coach Recognition Award
This award recognizes an individual who demonstrates commitment to the highest standards of coaching as it relates to leadership, professionalism, safety, respect and integrity [NCCP values]. This individual is seen as someone who has made a positive contribution to athlete development, made efforts to promote the sport of cycling, or has been a mentor to other coaches in the community. The chosen individual will be seen as successful in their ability to motivate, improve athlete skills/confidence/abilities, support in success and failure, and create a positive and safe training environment. Supporting information for the nomination of this award should be based upon any contributions made over the last 5 years. Nominators are expected to provide sufficient background and supporting information for the individual they are nominating with testimonials, examples of how the nominee has met the criteria below.
2026 Annual Awards Nominated by a Specific Nominating Group
Community Spirit Award
Community Spirit Award
This award recognizes those whose actions reflect the best of our cycling community. Through generosity, courage, and care for others, the recipient has shown that cycling is more than competition, it is connection. From athletes helping fellow riders in need, to parents, organizers, or supporters stepping up when it matters most, this award celebrates individuals or groups who elevate the entire community through their example.
Commissaire of the Year Award
Commissaire of the Year Award
This award recognizes an active Ontario Cycling Commissaire based on their achievement of excellence at the Provincial level. The award is presented to the individual who demonstrates the highest commitment to the values of sport and fair play, as well as the highest standards of officiating professionalism and integrity. This individual has made a positive contribution and impact on the sport of cycling in Ontario and is recognized by their peers as a valuable member, mentor, and resource to the sport of cycling. The nominee must have been an active Commissaire over each of the past three years, with at least one Ontario assignment during the current season (UCI, National or Provincial), and have not won the award in the previous two years.
U17/Junior Road Athlete of the Year
This award is presented to an athlete in either the U17 or Junior age categories that competed in National and/or International UCI sanctioned road events this season. The athlete must have had significant results achieved in high-level competitions, while also demonstrating strong character, sportsmanship, and leadership in all areas of cycling.
The Selection Committee will use the below event criteria (with results in tier 1 events being more heavily weighted than tier 2) when determining the recipient of the award.
Items listed below apply to Road events only:
Tier 1 | Tier 2 |
Junior World Championships | National/Domestic Road Events |
UCI Sanctioned Events (Ex. Junior Nations Cups) | Ontario Provincial Championships |
National Championships | Ontario Cups |
*Additional events outside those listed above may be considered.
U23/Elite Road Athlete of the Year
This award is presented to an athlete in either the U23/Elite age categories that competed in National and/or International UCI sanctioned Road events this season. The athlete must have had significant results achieved in high-level competitions, while also demonstrating strong character, sportsmanship, and leadership in all areas of cycling.
The Selection Committee will use the below event criteria (with results in tier 1 events being more heavily weighted than tier 2) when determining the recipient of the award.
Items listed below apply to Road events only:
Tier 1 | Tier 2 |
Olympic Games | UCI Sanctioned Events (Non-Team Canada representation) |
World Championships | National Championships |
UCI World Tour Events | Provincial Championships |
UCI Sanctioned Events (representing Team Canada) | Ontario Cups |
*Additional events outside those listed above may be considered.
U17/Junior MTB Athlete of the Year
This award is presented to an athlete in either the U17 or Junior age categories that competed in National and/or International UCI sanctioned Mountain Bike events this season. The athlete must have had significant results achieved in high-level competitions, while also demonstrating strong character, sportsmanship, and leadership in all areas of cycling.
The Selection Committee will use the below event criteria (with results in tier 1 events being more heavily weighted than tier 2) when determining the recipient of the award.
Items listed below apply to Mountain Bike events only:
Tier 1 | Tier 2 |
Junior World Championships | Canada Cups |
UCI Sanctioned Events | Provincial Championships |
National Championships | Ontario Cups |
*Additional events outside those listed above may be considered.
U23/Elite MTB Athlete of the Year
This award is presented to an athlete in either the U23/Elite age categories that competed in National and/or International UCI sanctioned Mountain Bike events this season. The athlete must have had significant results achieved in high-level competitions, while also demonstrating strong character, sportsmanship, and leadership in all areas of cycling.
The Selection Committee will use the below event criteria (with results in tier 1 events being more heavily weighted than tier 2) when determining the recipient of the award.
Items listed below apply to Mountain Bike events only:
Tier 1 | Tier 2 |
Olympic Games | National Championships |
MTB World Championships | Canada Cups |
World Cups | Provincial Championships |
| Ontario Cups |
*Additional events outside those listed above may be considered.
U17/Junior Cyclo-Cross Athlete of the Year
This award is presented to an athlete in either the U17 or Junior age categories that competed in National and/or International UCI sanctioned Cyclo-Cross events this season. The athlete must have had significant results achieved in high-level competitions, while also demonstrating strong character, sportsmanship, and leadership in all areas of cycling.
The Selection Committee will use the below event criteria (with results in tier 1 events being more heavily weighted than tier 2) when determining the recipient of the award.
Items listed below apply to Cyclo-Cross events only:
Tier 1 | Tier 2 |
Junior World Championships | National/Domestic Cyclo-Cross Events |
UCI Sanctioned Events | Provincial Championships |
National Championships | Ontario Cups |
*Additional events outside those listed above may be considered.
U23/Elite Cyclo-Cross Athlete of the Year
This award is presented to an athlete in either the U23/Elite age categories that competed in National and/or International UCI sanctioned Cyclo-Cross events this season. The athlete must have had significant results achieved in high-level competitions, while also demonstrating strong character, sportsmanship, and leadership in all areas of cycling.
The Selection Committee will use the below event criteria (with results in tier 1 events being more heavily weighted than tier 2) when determining the recipient of the award.
Items listed below apply to Cyclo-Cross events only:
Tier 1 | Tier 2 |
World Championships | UCI Sanctioned Events |
World Cups | National Championships |
| National/Domestic Cyclo-Cross Events |
| Provincial Championships |
| Ontario Cups |
*Additional events outside those listed above may be considered.
U17/Junior Track Athlete of the Year
This award is presented to an athlete in either the U17 or Junior age categories that competed in National and/or International UCI sanctioned Track events this season. The athlete must have had significant results achieved in high-level competitions, while also demonstrating strong character, sportsmanship, and leadership in all areas of cycling.
The Selection Committee will use the below event criteria (with results in tier 1 events being more heavily weighted than tier 2) when determining the recipient of the award.
Items listed below apply to Track events only:
Tier 1 | Tier 2 |
Junior World Championships | Provincial Championships |
UCI Sanctioned Events | Ontario Cups |
National Championships |
|
*Additional events outside those listed above may be considered.
U23/Elite Track Athlete of the Year
This award is presented to an athlete in either the U23/Elite age categories that competed in National and/or International UCI sanctioned Track events this season. The athlete must have had significant results achieved in high-level competitions, while also demonstrating strong character, sportsmanship, and leadership in all areas of cycling.
The Selection Committee will use the below event criteria (with results in tier 1 events being more heavily weighted than tier 2) when determining the recipient of the award.
Items listed below apply to Track events only:
Tier 1 | Tier 2 |
Olympic Games | National Championships |
World Championships | Provincial Championships |
Nations Cup | Ontario Cups |
Champions League |
|
*Additional events outside those listed above may be considered.
Tim DaSilva BMX Athlete of the Year
This award is presented to a rider that encompasses everything that Tim DaSilva was: dedicated, passionate, great attitude, always giving back, a natural leader, and a man with integrity. The award is presented to a BMX athlete who competed in both National and/or International UCI sanctioned BMX events and achieved significant results in either of these competition levels.
The Selection Committee will use the below event criteria (with results in tier 1 events being more heavily weighted than tier 2) when determining the recipient of the award.
Items listed below apply to BMX events only:
Tier 1 | Tier 2 |
Olympic Games | Canada Cups |
World Championships (Junior, U23, Elite) | Provincial Championships |
BMX World Cups |
|
National Championships |
|
*Additional events outside those listed above may be considered.
Para-Cycling Athlete of the Year
This award is presented to a para-athlete in either that competed in National and/or International UCI sanctioned events this season. The athlete must have had significant results achieved in high-level competitions, while also demonstrating strong character, sportsmanship, and leadership in all areas of cycling.
The Selection Committee will use the below event criteria (with results in tier 1 events being more heavily weighted than tier 2) when determining the recipient of the award.
Items listed below apply to Para-Cycling events only:
Tier 1 | Tier 2 |
Paralympic Games | National Championships |
World Championships | Ontario Provincial Champion |
UCI Para-cycling Road World Cups |
|
*Additional events outside those listed above may be considered.