TORONTO, ON, January 27, 2020 – Nominations for the 2020 5 to Watch – Canada’s Sports Business Awards are now being accepted. The awards are presented annually to sports business professionals who have achieved remarkable career success prior to the age of 40.
Sports business professionals from all sectors of the industry are eligible for the competition. Canadians working outside the country are also eligible. The competition is open to Canadian citizens who have five or more years of experience in the business of sport and were under the age of 40 as of December 31, 2019. “Field of play” staff (e.g. coaches, players) and sports journalists (e.g. reporters, commentators, writers) are not eligible.
Now in its ninth year, the awards are hosted by George Brown College in partnership with the Globe and Mail. To date, over $350k has been raised for student scholarships and bursaries. In the past seven years, 30 students have been awarded bursaries. Sponsorship plays a critical role in the fundraising initiative with Canadian Tire, Canadian Football League, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, SDI Marketing and TSN included among the 5 to Watch’s Premier Partners.
“The Nominations process attracts candidates from across North America. Each year the selection of our five award winners, is becoming more difficult, says Rob Morash, General Manager, HEAD Canada and Co-Chair for the 5 to Watch Awards.”
The awards are sponsored by the Sport & Event Marketing Program at George Brown College. Any member of the public may submit a nominee although candidates may not nominate themselves. Candidates may receive multiple nominations provided they are from different individuals. Nominations will remain open until 11:59 PST on Friday, March 6. Candidates may only be submitted through the awards website at www.5towatch.ca. After nominations close, the entire candidate pool will be screened by a review committee in March. Award winners will be determined by a selection committee comprised of senior sports business executives from across the country.
A well written nomination is critical for candidates to be considered for an award. The most important element in the evaluation process will be whether the nomination demonstrates that the candidate’s actions have driven identifiable results for their organization. Judges will look for detailed information on each nominee’s accomplishments including awards, success metrics and examples of creative problem solving and innovation. Nominees should be regarded as leaders and have uncommon influence for a person their age in both their workplace and industry sector. Full details on edibility and the nomination process can be found at www.5towatch.ca.
The winners will be announced in May and celebrated at an award show on June 24,2020 at the Waterfront Campus of George Brown College. Past winners have come from a wide variety of backgrounds since the awards inception in 2012. A sixth award was added to the 5 to Watch in 2014 to acknowledge outstanding graduates of George Brown’s Sport & Event Marketing Program. The Alumni Achievement Award is voted on by alumni of the program and recognizes a dynamic sports business professional who has also given back to the world of sport through coaching, mentoring or volunteering.
About George Brown College
Toronto's George Brown College prepares innovative, adaptable graduates with the skills to thrive in a rapidly changing job market. With three campuses in the downtown core, the college blends theory with experiential learning, applied research, and entrepreneurship opportunities. George Brown offers 171 full-time programs and 200 continuing education certificates/designations across a wide variety of professions to more than 31,500 full-time students, including 27 percent international students, and receives more than 65,000 continuing education registrations annually. Students can earn certificates, diplomas, graduate certificates, apprenticeships, and degrees. www.georgebrown.ca
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For more information, please contact:
Joyann Callender
Media Relation Manager
George Brown College
Office: 416-415-5000 ext. 3159
jcallender3@georgebrown.ca
