Premier’s Medal for Contributions to Recreation

Guidelines

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador established the Premier’s Medal for Contributions to Recreation to recognize the significant contributions that individuals and groups have made in recreation within the province.

Recreation is known to offer significant physical, mental, emotional and social benefits to participants of all ages and abilities, however it also contributes to building vibrant, desirable and strong communities throughout our province.

This annual award will recognize the outstanding and invaluable contributions of volunteers, recreation practitioners, recreation committee members and other individuals in recreation leadership roles who have made significant contributions to the sector.

Who Is Eligible?
Individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to recreation development within Newfoundland and Labrador including:

  • Recreation practitioners and volunteers
  • Individuals in other recreation leadership roles
  • Recreation Committees
  • Academia and researchers
  • Nominees must be a current or former long-term resident of Newfoundland and Labrador, or a non-resident that has made a significant contribution to recreation, in the past year or over a number of years, benefiting the province and its residents in an outstanding manner
  • Posthumous nominations will be accepted
  • Nominations of individuals from groups representing equity-deserving communities (for example, persons who identify as Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQQIA+, and/or a person with a disability) are encouraged to apply

Note: Citizens from other provinces or countries are eligible. They may be considered for significant contribution to recreation if it has benefited, in an outstanding manner, Newfoundland and Labrador and its residents.

The following individuals are not eligible for nomination:

  • Current serving public officials including judges, members of the Senate, House of Commons, House of Assembly or a legislative assembly of a province or territory
  • Current executive with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
  • Current employees of the Recreation and Sport Division, Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Centre, Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Circle of NL, Recreation NL, School Sports NL, and Sport NL are not eligible for nomination
  • Self-nominations will not be accepted

How Do I Nominate?
Nomination forms can be accessed here: Nomination Form

  • Nominators must secure permission of the nominee to submit nomination, except where the nominee is deceased; if the nominee is deceased, the nominator is advised to seek permission from the nominee’s relatives
  • Nominators need to provide a one-page statement indicating reasons the nominee’s contributions to recreation are worthy of the medal
  • Nominators must seek at least one letter of support, from an additional person with knowledge of the nominee’s accomplishments, outlining evidence of the nominee’s contributions to recreation

Nomination Deadline
The deadline for nomination for a 2025 Premier’s Medal for Contributions to Recreation is Friday, September 19, 2025.

Nominations will be accepted year-round but must be submitted before the deadline to be considered for the current award cycle. All submissions received will remain active for three consecutive award cycles. Nominators may update the nominee’s file on an annual basis, prior to each year’s deadline. 

Evaluation Criteria
The selection committee for the Premier’s Medal for Contributions to Recreation will look for clear evidence that nominees have significantly contributed in one or more of the following areas:

  • Commitment and leadership to the recreation sector.
  • Achievements at the community, provincial, national, and/or international level.
  • Social and/or economic impact of contributions at community, provincial, national, and/or international level. 
  • Innovative Practices.

Who Can Nominate?

  • Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador with a permanent physical address in the province can nominate an individual and/or group for the medal.
  • Self-nominations will not be accepted.
  • Current executive of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, and Recreation, and current employees of the Recreation and Sport Division of the Department of Tourism Culture, Arts and Recreation and NL Sports Centre may not submit a nomination.

What Do Recipients Receive?
The Premier will invite recipients to be honoured for their achievement at a presentation ceremony. At the ceremony, the Premier will present each recipient with a medal, lapel pin and a signed certificate.

How Do I Submit a Nomination?
Nominations can be sent by email or by mail.

Submitting by email:
Email submissions must be sent to PremiersMedalSportsRec@gov.nl.ca on or before Friday, September 19, 2025.

Email submissions must be in one of the following file formats: .pdf, .doc, .docx, .rtf, .txt, .jpg, .jpeg, .tiff, .tif, .xps. The total file size cannot exceed 20MB. After submitting the nomination, you will receive a confirmation email.

Submitting by mail:
If you choose to submit a nomination by mail, please ensure your envelope is postmarked by the deadline date and sent to the following address:

Premier’s Medal for Arts, Heritage, Sports and Recreation
Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
Recreation and Sport Division
6th Floor West Block
P.O. Box 8700
St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6

Can the Premier’s Medals for Arts, Heritage, Sports and Recreation be declined, returned or revoked?
An individual or group may decline a medal, in writing, prior to receipt. A recipient may return a medal by giving written notice to the Premier’s Office. The Premier may revoke a medal if a recipient’s qualifications are found to have been misrepresented, or if a recipient’s public conduct is deemed to be unbecoming to a recipient of a Premier’s Medal for Arts, Heritage or Sports and Recreation.

Additional Information:
Further information can be obtained by contacting the Recreation and Sport Division by phone at (709) 729-5281 or email at PremiersMedalSportsRec@gov.nl.ca.

Alternate Formats:
Alternate formats are available upon request.
Please contact tcar@gov.nl.ca or (709) 729-7000.