OTTAWA, Ont. (September 20, 2018) – Canada’s men’s Commonwealth Games basketball team and former President & CEO, Michele O’Keefe, were big winners Thursday night when the 41st Canada Sport Awards (CSA) were presented in Ottawa.

Canada's men's Commonwealth Games basketball team was named Team of the Year (Summer Sport Performance).  At the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, the team won silver for Canada’s first ever medal in men's basketball at the Commonwealth Games.

Basketball has only been on the Commonwealth Games program once, at Melbourne 2006 (Canada did not enter teams in the tournament).  

The silver was also Canada's only medal on the final day of competition and the 82nd medal (15 gold, 40 silver, 27 bronze) for Canada at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

In the Influencers category, former President & CEO Michele O’Keefe was honoured with the Leadership in Sport Award.

O'Keefe began her professional career with Canada Basketball in 1994 and held a variety of positions including Manager, Communications (1994-1996, 1998-2002), Director, Basketball Operations (2010-12), Executive Director (2012-15) and President & Chief Executive Officer (2015-Present).  

O'Keefe was integral in bringing several world-class tournaments to Canada, including the 2015 FIBA Americas Women's Championship in Edmonton and this June's FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2018 in St. Catharines, Ont.

Earlier this summer, O’Keefe stepped down to become the Associate Director, Athletics & Recreation, at Niagara College.

The Canadian Sport Awards are Canada’s premier event for national sport achievement and leadership recognition.  This year’s awards, as part of the 26th annual AthletesCAN forum, were hosted by Olympians and CBC Broadcasters Perdita Felicien and Alex Despatie.

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