Every year, we recognize the incredible contributions of individuals and teams that make the Vancouver Ultimate community welcome, unique, and vibrant. These awards are presented at our annual awards celebration in the fall. To learn about nominating a friend, teammate, coach, or leader in your community, visit vul.ca/awards.  

On this page:
· Hall of Fame
· Spirit Awards
· Coaching Awards
‚· Volunteer Awards

Hall of Fame

The Vancouver Ultimate Hall of Fame recognizes community builders, pioneers, and teams that have shaped the Vancouver Ultimate scene into what it is today. Starting in 2026, inductions into the Hall of Fame happen every three years. 

Hall of Fame

Spirit Awards

Spirit is integral to ultimate. Every year we request nominations for the most spirited players to receive the Laurel Stroppa Atwood Spirit Award and the William Arthur Hawkins Spirit Award. Simply being nominated for one of these awards is an achievement to be celebrated. Receiving the award is the highest individual honour at Vancouver Ultimate.

Laurel Stroppa Atwood Spirit Award

Laurel Jean Atwood (nee Stroppa) was a well-known and much loved member of the VUL, heavily immersed in the community during the 1990s and 2000s. Laurel had contagious spirit on the field and a jovial presence at league social events, many of which she was involved in planning and promoting. Through two bouts of breast cancer over 9 years, Laurel never lost her love for the game - even making it out to the field numerous times in her final year to cheer on her league team. Sadly, Laurel passed away in 2007. In 2008 the VUL renamed one of the spirit awards to the Laurel Stroppa Atwood Spirit Award.

William Arthur Hawkins Spirit Award

Art Hawkins was a prominent and impactful member of the VUL. He was a board member in the mid-2000s, founder of Elimination 8s, and served as Executive Director from 2008-2010. Art was renowned for his dedication to spirit of the game. His vision of spirit was always focused on the game as a whole, not just about fouls or fair play, but a dedication to the sport of ultimate both on and off the field. Art worked tirelessly to help push our sport forward, and there is nobody playing ultimate in Vancouver today who does not benefit from his dedication to the VUL. Unfortunately we lost Art all too early in 2010 when he passed away from cancer. The following year one of the spirit awards was renamed the William Arthur Hawkins Spirit Award, the same award he won in 2003. 

• With our gender inclusivity policy changes in 2017, we stopped handing out the awards according to gender.
• These awards were not presented in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Coaching Awards

We recognize top coaches, mentors, and clinic leaders in Metro Vancouver through our annual Coaching Awards. These awards celebrate individuals whose coaching is exemplary—those who uphold and model Spirit of the Game, support their players in doing the same, help athletes improve their skills and strategies, motivate and inspire their teams, earn the respect of their players, and demonstrate integrity, respect for the game and its participants, and strong team management.

• These awards were not presented in 2020 or 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• As of 2024, the Adult Coach of the Year award was discontinued to align with current program delivery.

Volunteer Awards

• These awards were not presented in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• As of 2026, volunteer awards were discontinued to align with current program delivery.