Get your free tickets! For the first time ever, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame is bringing the Order of Sport Awards to all Canadians! The Class of 2020-21 will officially be inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and will receive the Order of Sport, Canada’s highest sporting honour. The 65th Order of Sport Awards, presented by Everest, will stream live on Sunday, October 3, 2021.

Canada's Sports Hall of Fame is excited to announce the Class of 2020-21 that will be inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and will receive the Order of Sport award, Canada’s highest sporting honour. With no certainty regarding crowd size restrictions, travel bans and general safety measures, we have postponed their Induction celebration to 2021. At that time, we look forward to inducting this year’s remarkable class of athletes and builders who continue to shape their sports, communities and our country.

Six athletes and five builders were chosen this year to signify and celebrate Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame’s 65th anniversary year. They were selected from over 260 public nominations and by a committee comprised of sports broadcasters, writers, academics and athletes, all for their ability to lead and inspire both on and off the field of play, for their sports accomplishments and in recognition of their continuing role in building Canada through sport and the value they return to their communities.

Canada's Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2020-21 Inductees are (click each name to read full bios):

- John "Jackie" Barrett - Athlete, Powerlifting and SpecialOlympics Athlete

- Sonja Gaudet - Athlete,Wheelchair Curling

- Diane Jones Konihowski - Athlete,Athletics

- Lorie Kane - Athlete, Golf

- Eric Lamaze and Hickstead - Team,Equestrian - Show Jumping

- Steve Nash - Athlete, Basketball

- Duncan Campbell - Builder,Wheelchair Rugby

- Sheldon Kennedy - Builder, IceHockey

- Judy Kent - Builder, SportAdministration

- Willie O'Ree - Builder, IceHockey

- Ross Powless - Builder, Lacrosse

“In these uncertain times, we are thrilled to be able to share a good news story and to have this remarkable group of people to induct into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame next year. We’ve never been more proud of our sports history, our sports champions, and their community spirit, and we are formally recognizing these athletes and builders for living and sharing sports values – Canada’s shared values; respect, equality, fairness and openness. We look forward to bringing Canada together in 2021 to celebrate this exceptional Class when we induct and award them with the Order of Sport for their beyond sport contributions to our country.” said Cheryl Bernard, President and CEO, Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

STEVE NASH - ATHLETE, BASKETBALL

Even though basketball was invented by Canadian Dr. James Naismith in the late nineteenth century, it remained curiously underrepresented in Canada until Steve Nash took the game to new heights roughly a century later. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Steve grew up in Victoria, B.C. where he excelled in high school basketball. After coaches encouraged him to apply for athletic scholarships in the United States, Steve began making a name for himself in 1992 as an elite point guard at Santa Clara University. During his varsity career, he helped Santa Clara reach three NCAA tournaments, winning the West Coast Conference Player of the Year award in 1995 and 1996.

Steve Nash was drafted into the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1996, kicking off a legendary career that spanned 19 years with the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers. Humble and genuine, he was an outstanding passer, clutch shooter, and fierce competitor who remained resolutely unselfish and team-oriented.  An eight-time All-Star, Steve led the NBA in assists five times and made the sport more dynamic every time he stepped onto the court. In 2005, he became the first Canadian ever to be named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, and the following year distinguished himself further still as one of only 12 NBA players ever to win consecutive MVP awards. Steve also represented Canada in international competition, helping the national men’s basketball team win Silver in 1999 and Bronze in 2001 at the FIBA Americas Championship. He also led the Canadian Men’s Olympic Basketball Team on a historic run to the Olympic quarterfinals in 2000 in Sydney, Australia.

Awarded the Lou Marsh Trophy in 2005 as Canada’s top athlete, Steve Nash also received the Lionel Conacher Award as Canada’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2002, 2005 and 2006, and was named to the Order of Canada in 2007. He is a member of the Phoenix Suns Ring of Honour, where his number 13 was retired in 2015 (his number 11 varsity jersey was also retired by Santa Clara University), and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018. Determined to use his influence to help others, in 2001 he established the Steve Nash Foundation, in both Canada and the United States, which works to increase access to critical needs health and education resources for underserved communities in his home province of British Columbia and abroad.