Andrew Qavvik, a young individual hailing from Sanikiluaq, has been commended by the vice principal of his school as an exemplary figure. According to Charlotte Crow, this commendation led to his recognition as the Male Athlete of the Year during a recent awards event organized by the Recreation and Parks Association of Nunavut in Iqaluit. Among the distinguished honorees at the gala, Qavvik, aged 17, stood out. CBC News had the chance to meet him during a visit to Sanikiluaq last month.
“When I received the notification, I was pleasantly surprised,” Qavvik shared, recalling his excitement upon learning of the accolade during the summer. Apart from his sporting achievements, Qavvik also actively engages in recreational activities as a supervisor, overseeing recreation programs for younger children.
Acknowledging his dedication and accomplishments in the realm of sports and recreation in Nunavut, Community Services Minister Craig Simailak extended an invitation to Qavvik for the award ceremony. Qavvik expressed his fondness for playing volleyball and badminton, popular sports in his community, and reiterated his role as a recreational supervisor, guiding the younger generation in recreational pursuits.
With aspirations of seeing them compete in Iqaluit, Qavvik remains committed to fostering a culture of sportsmanship among the youth. Charlotte Crow, echoing his sentiments, lauded Qavvik as a model student who embodies the ethos of respecting beginners, a sentiment reinforced by a banner in the school gymnasium.
Characterizing Qavvik as respectful and inclusive towards all, Crow emphasized his positive influence on younger peers, reflecting the pride felt by the school community in his achievements. The NU Sport Federation and the territory’s sport and recreation division collaborated to honor outstanding individuals and groups at the ceremony, including the inaugural inductees into the NU Sports and Recreation Hall of Fame, Jordin Tootoo and the late Atima Hadlari.
The gala, held at Aqsarniit Hotel, recognized various recipients, such as the Community of the Year: Rankin Inlet, Youth Leader of the Year: Novoalia Carriere from Kinngait, Volunteers of the Year: Kinngait Youth Group from Kinngait, and other noteworthy individuals and groups for their contributions to sports and recreation in Nunavut.