Each recipient was nominated for the award in recognition of their service to the community.
Los Angeles, Calif. – December 13, 2018 – The Foundation for Global Sports Development (GSD) has announced the winners of its 2018 Athletes in Excellence Award. The Athletes in Excellence Award was introduced in 2014 to acknowledge the remarkable community service work demonstrated by athletes across the world. The award recognizes those athletes who have taken their talents beyond the field or court and into communities of need.
“Sport is about so much more than winning or competition,” said GSD Executive Board Member, Dr. Steven Ungerleider. “This award highlights the sense of partnership and community found in sport and recognizes athletes who embody those values.”
GSD Executive Board member, David Ulich, added, “These Athletes in Excellence Award winners were nominated by their peers and colleagues for their efforts in making a difference in the lives of people all around the globe. They are using sport as a catalyst for positive change.”
With this distinction comes an unrestricted award of $10,000, which the athletes may use to further pursue their volunteer, service, and mentorship goals.
GSD is committed to continuously supporting programs and initiatives that celebrate the athletes who do so much to inspire youth from around the world. For further details on the 2018 award recipients, please visit GSD’s website at www.globalsportsdevelopment.org.
2018 Athletes in Excellence Award Recipients
Antonia Emanuelle “Manu” Abreu Motta is a volunteer coach and lead instructor at Row LA’s Erg Ed Program, reaching over 950 middle school students each year. Prior to that role, Manu taught rowing in Brazil for many years before coming to the U.S. in 2016.
Sunmaya Budha is a runner from Nepal who helps promote education in her rural community by raising funds and support for school supplies, books, furniture, school libraries, and computer labs. She also works with young women, empowering them through sports classes and teaching them about puberty. Sunmaya aids rural Nepalese community members by organizing free medical camps and hygiene and sanitation campaigns.
Jason Dunkerley is a Track and Field Paralympian who is the President of Achilles Ottawa, a support community for runners who have visual impairments. He also serves as a coach for the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club and on the Board of Director for the Ontario Blind Sports Association.
Rebecca Feickert is a former basketball player who founded “Trey Athletes,” a nonprofit which empowers student-athletes to achieve lifelong success. She has also served as a mentor with the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship.
Sara Hall is a Marathon champion who founded “Hall Steps Foundation,” which raises funds to support orphan care and orphan prevention in Ethiopa. The foundation has made over $60,000 in grants to deserving organizations and has provided $100,000 in microlending for women.
Karin Korb is a Wheelchair Tennis Paralympian who is a wheelchair tennis instructor and an advocate for people with disabilities. Karin Korb is a Wheelchair Tennis Paralympian who is a wheelchair tennis instructor and an advocate for people with disabilities. She currently serves on the City of Birmingham’s Social Justice Committee as well as the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program’s PADD (Protection and Advocacy of Persons with Developmental Disabilities) Advisory Council.
Serena Limas is a basketball player and coach who was recently named “Coach of the Year” by Coaching Corps for her work as a volunteer coach at Ramona Gardens Boys & Girls Club. Serena has spoken at numerous events about the fulfilling role a coach has in making a difference in young players’ lives.
Tyler McGregor is a Sled Hockey Paralympian who volunteers with Classroom Champions to mentor youth, Childcan to raise funds for families who are facing childhood cancer, and Princess Margaret Hospital and Make-a-Wish Foundation to support youth facing cancer.
Nicola Paviglianiti is a Powerlifter who has taken the sport to Zimbabwe. Here she opened the first female gym in Harare, fundraised to take 3 Zimbabwean lifters to the Commonwealth Championship, founded “The Strength Gals” to provide inclusive and accessible strength coaching for females, and volunteers as Program Director for Lift4Life.
Anna Sloan is a Curling Olympian who represents the curling community by speaking at schools and special events about the sport, coaching 10-11 year olds, supporting Scotland’s “Try Curling” initiative, and serving as an Ambassador for Scottish Curling Future Leaders.
About Global Sports Development
Working closely with international sports federations, generous donors and committed athletes, The Foundation for Global Sports Development promotes sportsmanship, education, fair play and ethics among the world’s youth. The Foundation gives special emphasis to groups and communities that are most in need or most underserved by current programs, including women, minorities and youth in areas where the risk of delinquency is particularly high. Visit www.globalsportsdevelopment.org to learn more.
