2024 Awards Banquet
Post-Celebration Highlights

We’re so grateful to everyone who attended our Annual Awards Banquet on Thursday, November 21st, 2024. It was a night filled with laughter, inspiration, and community spirit as we celebrated the amazing achievements of our athletes and supporters.

A Fond Farewell to John Gay

We bade a heartfelt farewell to John Gay, whose unwavering dedication to Thunderbirds has inspired us all. In his honour, we are proud to rename the Teammate of the Year Award as the John Gay Teammate of the Year Award—a tribute to his incredible leadership, camaraderie, and commitment.

John, we wish you all the best in Flagstaff as you begin this exciting new chapter. You’ll always be a part of the Thunderbirds family!

Banquet Highlights

Attendees: Over 250 community members joined us for this special evening.
Silent Auction: Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we raised $12,750 to support our athletes and programs.
Flying Start Fund: Together, we’re making dreams take flight. Learn more and contribute here.

Congratulations to Our 2024 Award Winners!

Athlete of the Year Honorees:

U12 Male: Kris Maris Chisom Iroha
U12 Female: Vera-Stin Ifunanya Iroha
U14 Male: Cole Waters
U14 Female: Chioma Uzozie
U16 Male: David Ude
U16 Female: Charlotte Lang
U18 Male: Griffin Cole
U18 Female: Chloe Symon
U20 Male: Alec Brent & Divine Aniamaka
U20 Female: Jasleen Nagra
Senior Male: Kieran Lumb
Senior Female: Glynis Sim & Leslie Sexton
Master’s Male: Ron Loewen
Master’s Female: Jen McCutcheon & Corri Thompson

Special Recognition Awards:

Most Dedicated Male: Sebastian Cino
Most Dedicated Female: Robyn Astridge
Most Inspirational Female: Julie Kawai
Most Inspirational Male: Simon McCutcheon
Most Improved Athletes: Nick Jang & Carly Lane
John Gay Teammate of the Year: Nolan Mah

We are so proud of our athletes and their incredible achievements this year!

Special Thanks

Forerunners – Your generous donation and sponsorship as our Official Equipment Provider made this evening unforgettable.
Silent Auction Donors – Thank you for contributing amazing items that raised essential funds for our programs.
Thunderbirds Members & Families – Your energy and dedication keep our community thriving.

Looking Ahead

Save the date for next year’s Annual Awards Gala and Banquet! Join us for another evening of celebration, connection, and honoring the best of the Thunderbirds.

Thank you for being part of this amazing night—we couldn’t do it without you!

Support Our Flying Start Fund
Help us continue empowering athletes to achieve their dreams.

Go Thunderbirds!