Olympic hero Stephanie Labbé honoured at Alberta Soccer Awards

Canadian goalkeeper and Olympic bronze medalist Stephanie Labbé was honoured by the Alberta Soccer Association with the 2016 Award of Excellence. Labbé, who was one of the stars of Canada Soccer’s memorable run at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, was honoured on Saturday night at Alberta Soccer’s annual Awards Banquet.

In 2016, Labbé made a career-high 14 appearances and posted six clean sheets. She was in goal for nine of Canada’s national record 15 wins, including four of five wins at the Rio 2016 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. At year’s end, she was voted runner up for CONCACAF Goalkeeper of the Year honours.

Along with the annual Alberta Soccer award winners, the province also celebrated the Alberta Major Soccer League award winners. From the men’s league, Paul Hamilton was named MVP and Ralf Schmidt was named Coach of the Year; from the women’s league, Lauren Granberg was named MVP and Rick Haxby was named Coach of the Year.

The 28 January Awards Banquet were held in conjunction with the 2017 Alberta Soccer Annual Meeting in Calgary. Other 2016 award winners were: Lethbridge Soccer for the President’s Award; Daryl Leinweber for the Shield of Merit; Paul Schultz for the Bert Goldberger Technical Leader Award; Craig Cooper for Physical Literacy Coach of the Year; John Hayes for Golden Whistle Award; Mike Stacey for Silver Badge Award; Mary Jo Spence for Woman of Distinction Award; Richard Smyl, Nathan Len, Richard Vervoort, Janusz Dobrowolski for the Award of Merit. Derek Douglas and Joanne Mazurkewich were honoured as Alberta Soccer Life Members.

Four clubs were awarded the Golden Shoe award after winning national titles at Canada Soccer’s 2016 National Championships, one in each age category. Those four winners were Calgary Foothills U-14 girls, Edmonton Juventus U-16 boys, Edmonton Internazionale U-18 women, and Edmonton Scottish SC men (Challenge Trophy).

The Edmonton Scottish SC 2016 victory put an exclamation on a 45-year story at the National Championships that started with a quarter-final finish in 1972. In nine Challenge Trophy finals, Scottish SC won bronze in 1987, silver in 1992, 2012, and 2015, and finally gold in 2016.

For more information on the Alberta Soccer Association, please visit albertasoccer.com.

LABBÉ & CANADA v MEXICO at BC PLACE
Canada Soccer’s Bronze Medal Celebration match is 4 February 2017 at BC Place. Tickets to the home match in Vancouver are on sale now via migmultidev-canada-soccer.pantheonsite.io/tickets starting at just $20 (plus applicable fees). A special ME+3 discount offer on ticket four-packs is available in select sections while groups of 10 or more are eligible for discounts of up to 30% off regularly priced tickets. In addition, BC Place Club Seats are available for fans looking for a premium match day experience and include a complimentary Canada Soccer scarf with each ticket.