Every year, we recognize the incredible contributions of individuals and teams that make the Vancouver Ultimate community welcome, unique, and vibrant. These awards are presented at our annual awards celebration in the fall.

To nominate a friend, teammate, coach, or community leader, visit our awards and nominations page.

On this page

• Hall of Fame
• Spirit Awards
• Youth Player of the Year
• Coaching Awards
• Community Impact Awards
• Captain of the Year
• Volunteer Awards (Historical)

Hall of Fame

The Vancouver Ultimate Hall of Fame recognizes community builders, pioneers, and teams that have shaped the Vancouver Ultimate scene into what it is today. Starting in 2026, inductions into the Hall of Fame happen every three years.

Explore the Hall of Fame

Spirit Awards

Spirit is integral to ultimate. Every year we request nominations for the most spirited players to receive the Laurel Stroppa Atwood Spirit Award and the William Arthur Hawkins Spirit Award. Simply being nominated for one of these awards is an achievement to be celebrated. Receiving the award is the highest individual honour at Vancouver Ultimate.

Recipients

• With our gender inclusivity policy changes in 2017, we stopped handing out the awards according to gender.
• These awards were not presented in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Laurel Stroppa Atwood Spirit Award

Laurel Jean Atwood (nee Stroppa) was a well-known and much loved member of the VUL, heavily immersed in the community during the 1990s and 2000s. Laurel had contagious spirit on the field and a jovial presence at league social events, many of which she was involved in planning and promoting.

Through two bouts of breast cancer over 9 years, Laurel never lost her love for the game - even making it out to the field numerous times in her final year to cheer on her league team. Sadly, Laurel passed away in 2007. In 2008 the VUL renamed one of the spirit awards to the Laurel Stroppa Atwood Spirit Award.

William Arthur Hawkins Spirit Award

Art Hawkins was a prominent and impactful member of the VUL. He was a board member in the mid-2000s, founder of Elimination 8s, and served as Executive Director from 2008-2010. Art was renowned for his dedication to spirit of the game. His vision of spirit was always focused on the game as a whole, not just about fouls or fair play, but a dedication to the sport of ultimate both on and off the field.

Art worked tirelessly to help push our sport forward, and there is nobody playing ultimate in Vancouver today who does not benefit from his dedication to the VUL. Unfortunately we lost Art all too early in 2010 when he passed away from cancer. The following year one of the spirit awards was renamed the William Arthur Hawkins Spirit Award, the same award he won in 2003.

Youth Player of the Year

The Youth Player of the Year Award recognizes emerging leaders in our junior club programs who go above and beyond to foster welcoming, inclusive environments for their teammates and demonstrate a strong commitment to Spirit of the Game throughout the summer season.

Two awards are presented annually, recognizing outstanding contributions in Leadership and Spirit of the Game.

Recipients

Coaching Awards

We recognize top coaches, mentors, and clinic leaders in Metro Vancouver through our annual Coaching Awards. These awards celebrate individuals who:

• Uphold and model Spirit of the Game, and support their players in doing the same.
• Help athletes improve their skills and strategies.
• Motivate and inspire their teams, and earn the respect of their players.
• Demonstrate integrity, respect for the game and its participants, and strong team management.

Current award: Youth Coach of the Year. The Adult Coach of the Year award was discontinued in 2024; past recipients remain listed below.

Recipients

• These awards were not presented in 2020 or 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Community Impact Awards

Introduced in 2026, Community Impact Awards recognize individuals who go above and beyond to grow ultimate within their communities.

Through their time, care, and dedication, they create welcoming places for people to discover the sport, develop as players, and build connections. Their work gives people both an opportunity to start playing and a reason to keep coming back.

Recipients

Captain of the Year

Captain of the Year recognizes the contributions of those who truly keep the VUL running day in and day out: our team captains. Captains do far more than call the disc flip at the start of a game. They are:

• Coaches who unify their teams and keep everyone on the same page.
• Organizers who ensure rosters are full and fees are paid.
• Recruiters who help bring new players into the sport, often serving as people's very first introduction to the VUL.

With more than 165 teams—and more than 165 captains—this is a group the VUL simply could not operate without.

The Captain of the Year award recognizes someone who goes above and beyond for their team: creating an inclusive and supportive environment, helping their teammates succeed, and making a meaningful and lasting contribution to the experience of everyone they share the field with.

Recipients

Volunteer Awards (Historical)

This award is no longer presented. Volunteer awards were discontinued in 2026 to align with current program delivery. Past recipients are recognized below.

Recipients

• These awards were not presented in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.