Recreation Nova Scotia Awards 2025
The Recreation Nova Scotia (RNS) Awards pay tribute to exceptional individuals, organizations, and communities that, through their programs, events, projects, and passion, have made outstanding contributions to building healthier communities and enhancing the quality of life for Nova Scotians through recreation.
The 2025 Awards Ceremony took place on October 22, 2025, in Sydney, Cape Breton, as part of the RNS Annual Conference.
2025 Award Winners:
Bluenose Achievement Award - Christine Cutler
Christine’s leadership and involvement with the Rath Eastlink Community Centre for a number of years resulted in a sustainable program of lifeguard training and instructors for swim lessons in the pool, and the evolution of the climbing wall at the centre as a community space which not only introduces folks to climbing, but also specifically engages youth, older adults and women with customized programming and events. She is recognized for her contributions to the growth of Indoor Sport Climbing in Truro and throughout the Fundy Region through this work as well as her volunteer work with Climb Nova Scotia.
Mayflower Community Cooperation Award - Valley Recreation's "June is Recreation Month" initiative
Valley Recreation launched a dynamic regional initiative for June is Recreation Month that spanned from Clare to West Hants, Nova Scotia. The program was built on the foundation of regional collaboration, bringing together multiple municipalities, towns, and community groups to co-promote recreation opportunities and build stronger, healthier communities.A Recreation Passport highlighted events across the region and encouraged residents and visitors to explore new communities by attending events ranging from guided hikes and waterfront yoga to community dances and family fun days, and earning badges for each stop along the way.
Connecting People with Nature Award - Michelle Richards
Michelle Richards has dedicated over two decades to enhancing access to nature for Nova Scotians through sport and outdoor recreation, with a particular focus on surfing, skiing, and nature-based movement. Centered around Point Michaud and the North Shore of Cape Breton, Michelle’s efforts have rippled across the province, creating meaningful and lasting access to the outdoors for equity-deserving communities.What makes Michelle’s work stand out is her intentional and sustained effort to reduce barriers to participation. Her programming prioritizes Black and Indigenous youth, women and girls, and other equity-deserving groups who have historically faced challenges in accessing outdoor spaces due to cost, geography, representation, and safety concerns. Michelle consistently works to remove those barriers by offering gear, transportation, and mentorship—while building partnerships within local communities to ensure the programming is culturally responsive, informed, and community-driven.
Event and Program Excellence Award - Mahone Bay United Soccer Association
As the nominator described them, Mahone Bay United is a community development program masquerading as a soccer program. Their core belief is that the world’s most played game, should also be the most accessible. To that end, MBU is an inclusive soccer family for anyone who loves the sport - or is ready to discover their new love. Consistently participants report that their experience in MBU creates a sense of belonging in the community and greater personal confidence. Improved soccer skills are a result too, but they are secondary to the individual’s character development. Beyond, Mahone Bay, MBU’s influence and impact has spread across the region. They also partner with and use fields in The Municipality of Lunenburg, Town of Lunenburg, Municipality of Chester, and churches and schools in the region.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility Award - Amber Hart, founder of Devoted to Diversity Guysborough County
In 2023, Amber officially launched Devoted to Diversity Guysborough, a community-driven group committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive space for parents, caregivers, and loved ones across Guysborough County. Their mission is to provide a supportive environment where individuals can openly share the challenges and successes of everyday life, free from judgment. The group aims to connect families with resources and peer support, while also organizing regular programs and events for all ages. One of the most meaningful impacts Devoted to Diversity Guysborough has had on the broader community is its influence on how large-scale public events are designed and delivered particularly at the Chedabucto Lifestyle Complex.
Heart of Recreation Award - William Roy, Sport and Social Club of Cape Breton.
Recognizing that many community members struggle to be socially and physically active in winter, Will Roy created the Warm Your Bones Festival, which ran in February 2025 right here in Sydney. The festival was designed to encourage people to get outside despite the cold weather and find ways to stay active and engaged with the community. The festival had three elements: cozy drink/food specials at local venues, a series of recreational activities, and a street party in downtown Sydney. Will spent hundreds of hours building partnerships with more than twenty local organizations, venues and facilitators. He also coordinated over a dozen special events, including arts programming (such as drawing, collage, crochet, and writing workshops), physical activities (like winter hiking), and cozy recreational fun (such as board games and a movie night).
Professional Achievement Award - Chad Haughn
Over the course of his career with the Municipality of the District of Chester—starting in 2000 as Recreation Coordinator and rising to Director—Chad has created a professional culture rooted in respect, empowerment, and collaboration. Chad’s ability to balance strategic vision with grounded mentorship has ensured that the next generation inherits not just programs, but a philosophy of service and leadership. As a trailblazer in trail development—both municipally and through the Rum Runners Trail—he has modeled how recreational infrastructure can be both community-driven and sustainably maintained. His work during the 2023 flood recovery demonstrated a forward-thinking and collaborative approach to crisis management in recreation, influencing how trail systems are restored and communicated about during emergencies. Chad’s influence is seen not just in programs and trails, but in the professionals he’s inspired and the communities he’s helped thrive.
Honourary Lifetime Member Award - Mary Lou MacPherson
Mary Lou MacPherson’s athletic and professional journey is a testament to passion, perseverance, and a trailblazing spirit. Born in Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, she first discovered her love of sport in her backyard, playing baseball with neighbourhood kids. When she was barred from Little League due to gender restrictions, she turned that setback into motivation—embracing opportunities offered by the local summer recreation program.Those programs quickly became the highlight of her days. Each morning, she would run to the ball field for softball, and in the afternoons, she was in the gym, playing basketball, floor hockey, or whatever activity was on offer. These formative experiences not only provided a safe and welcoming place to play but also sparked a lifelong passion for sport, recreation, and community.
Inspired by the backyard baseball games and summer recreation programs she participated in as a kid, Mary Lou spent five summers working as a recreation leader and director. Mary Lou went on to shine in basketball, serving as the starting point guard at Nova Scotia Teachers College, where she majored in physical education. She earned a Bachelor of Education from St. Francis Xavier University before beginning a 40-year career in education with the Northside and Cape Breton-Victoria School Boards. She served as both a physical education teacher and an Active Healthy Living Consultant, making lasting contributions at the school, district, and provincial levels.
Her excellence has been recognized with numerous honours, including the TAPHE Dorothy Walker Award, the NSTU Teaching in Excellence Award, and induction into the Northside Sports Hall of Fame. As an athlete, she continues to excel—winning the Seaview Golf Club championships 22 times and capturing a gold medal in hockey at the National 55+ Games.Beyond her career, Mary Lou is an active participant in many sports and activities, including golf, hockey, curling, cross-country skiing, pickleball, and hiking. Her lifelong dedication to recreation has inspired countless students, colleagues, and community members, making her a most deserving recipient of the 2025 Recreation Nova Scotia Honourary Lifetime Member Award.
Award Categories:
Award Nominations may be submitted for the following categories: click on the links below for a brief description of each award category and the criteria that will be used to evaluate submissions.
- pdf Bluenose Achievement Award(1.06 MB)
- pdf Mayflower Community Cooperation Award(1.03 MB)
- pdf Connecting People with Nature Award(1.03 MB)
- pdf Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Access Award(1.03 MB)
- pdf Event/Program Excellence Award(1.03 MB)
- pdf Heart of Recreation Award(1.03 MB)
- pdf Professional Achievement(1.03 MB)
- pdf Honourary Lifetime Member(1.04 MB)
FAQs:
Who can nominate?
Anyone can submit a nomination for any of the award categories.
How are awards determined?
In late Spring, RNS calls on the recreation community for volunteers to form its awards committee. Following the nomination submission deadline, the Awards Committee, composed of RNS staff members and other recreation professionals who volunteer from across the province, reviews submissions. Nominations are scored according to evaluation criteria described for each award. The recommendations from the Awards Committee are reviewed by the RNS Executive Director and approved by the RNS Board of Directors.
How will award recipients be notified?
Award recipients and those who nominated them will be contacted via email in September once the Board of Directors has approved the recommendations from the Awards Committee. The Awards Committee will request photos to be sent in for use during the awards presentation that takes place at the annual conference.
For questions, comments, or concerns, please email Lisa at
View Past Award Winners