National Team Resources
Rankings, documents and more.
The Award
Canada Snowboard, in partnership with the Daffern Family and WinSport, is pleased to present the Neil Daffern Award for Excellence for the 2026–2027 season.
Two $10,000 awards will be presented to athletes in the Canada Snowboard High-Performance Program.
The award is designed to provide meaningful financial support to young Canadian snowboarders who have the potential to become among the best in the world in their discipline and who demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence, personal growth and being a positive ambassador for the sport.
The award is about more than results. It recognizes athletes who are developing, driven and determined, and who demonstrate the potential to make a lasting impact on Canadian snowboarding.
Athletes in Canada Snowboard's High-Performance Program who show talent, commitment and character — and who could use meaningful financial support to keep pursuing excellence.
Neil Daffern Award for Excellence
Neil Daffern was a pioneer of snowboarding in Canada, a competitor, advocate, innovator and snowboard designer who helped shape the sport during its earliest days.
An enthusiastic competitor, Neil travelled throughout North America to compete. In 1986, he placed second in moguls at the North American Championships. In 1989, Neil and a small group of Canadian snowboarders became the first Canadians to compete in World Cup competitions in Europe.
At a time when many ski areas would not allow snowboards on their slopes because they were considered too dangerous, Neil became an advocate for the sport and a bridge between the snowboarding community and ski-area operators. He worked to demonstrate that snowboards could be safely controlled and enjoyed on the mountain. At Lake Louise, he rode alongside the General Manager, who was on skis, to demonstrate the control and capability of a snowboard. At Sunshine, he helped establish a permitting process for snowboarders who wanted to ride.
Neil also saw an opportunity to make snowboarding more accessible. When the few snowboards available in Canada had to be purchased from U.S. manufacturers, Neil designed and built snowboards in the basement of his home so local riders could access more affordable equipment.
His impact extended beyond his own riding. Transworld Snowboard Magazine credited Neil with being the first to develop a twin-tip freestyle design that helped ‘usher in a new design era’ in North America.
Neil died in a helicopter accident in April 1990 while participating in a heli-snowboarding competition near Blue River, B.C.
Neil’s commitment to snowboarding, his willingness to challenge convention and his desire to help others succeed are the foundation of this award.
The Neil Daffern Award for Excellence honours his legacy by investing in the next generation of Canadian snowboarders, athletes who have the talent, commitment and character to pursue excellence and help shape the future of the sport.
Eligibility & Selection Criteria
The Neil Daffern Award for Excellence is open to athletes who:
Are in good standing with the Canada Snowboard High-Performance Program.
Are Canadian citizens and residents of Canada.
Demonstrate a strong commitment to training and competition.
Have demonstrated strong performance, significant progression and/or exceptional potential in their discipline.
Demonstrate financial need.
The selection committee will consider the athlete’s performance, potential, commitment, character and financial need.
Application
Tell Us Your Story.
We want to hear directly from the athlete.
Applicants are asked to submit a letter explaining why they believe they are the ideal recipient of the Neil Daffern Award for Excellence.
The letter should be written entirely by the athlete – not by a parent, coach or other representative.
Athletes are encouraged to tell us:
Where you’ve been — Your journey and accomplishments to date.
Where you are going — Your goals and vision for your snowboarding career.
How you pursue excellence — Your commitment to training, competition and continual improvement.
What you’ve overcome — Challenges, barriers or experiences that have shaped you as an athlete.
Why this award matters — How $10,000 would make a meaningful difference to your development this season.
What you want to contribute — How you hope to represent, grow and give back to the sport of snowboarding.
There is no prescribed format or formula. We want to hear your voice, your ambition and your story.
Application Deadline & Submission
Applications must be submitted by email to Candice Wouters, Senior Coordinator, High Performance & Major Events: pnaqvpr.jbhgref@pnaqnfabjobneq.pn no later than 11:59 pm MT on October 31, 2026.
Applicants should submit:
A personal letter, written by the athlete, explaining why they are an ideal recipient of the Neil Daffern Award for Excellence.
Any supporting information the athlete wishes the selection committee to consider.
Applications should be submitted electronically as a PDF attachment with the subject line:
Neil Daffern Award for Excellence – [Athlete Name]
All applications will be treated as strictly confidential and may be submitted in English or French. French submissions will be translated prior to review by the selection committee.
Selection Committee
The Neil Daffern Award Committee will be comprised of:
Canada Snowboard High-Performance Program management staff
A representative of the Daffern Family
One executive representative from WinSport
Following the application deadline, the committee will review all eligible applications and select two recipients, each receiving a $10,000 award. The decision of the selection committee will be final.
Award Presentation
Recipients will be announced through the Canada Snowboard website and appropriate communications channels.
