Saskatoon, SK. (March 23, 2021) - Lisa Thomaidis moved to Saskatchewan in 1998 and since has become a respected coach, mentor and leader in Safe Sport in the province.

The head coach of the two-time national champion University of Saskatchewan Huskie women’s basketball program and Olympic-bound for the third straight Games Senior Women’s National Basketball Team is one of four Saskatchewan-based coaches honoured with a 2020 Saskatchewan Sport Award in Coach Dedication. Thomaidis was nominated by Basketball Saskatchewan.

Turning the Huskies into a university women’s basketball powerhouse, Thomaidis has guided the Huskies to two national titles in 13 national championship appearances and seven Canada West Championships. Winning Coach of the Year awards nine different times for U SPORTS, Canada West or Sask Sport, she was also honoured as a YWCA Woman of Distinction in 2009.

Coaching with the Senior Women’s National Team since 2001, Thomaidis was named head coach in 2013. Under her tutelage, Team Canada won gold at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, gold at the 2017 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup and has guided the team to a program-best ranking of fourth in the world.  She has coached at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games and will do so again in Tokyo this summer.

Each day this week, two recipients from the six long-serving volunteers and the four dedicated and decorated coaches honoured as recipients of the 2020 Saskatchewan Sport Awards will be featured through tribute videos on Sask Sport and the Coaches Association of Saskatchewan’s website and social media channels. Visit the 2020 Saskatchewan Sport Awards announcement to learn more.

About the Saskatchewan Sport Awards

The Saskatchewan Sport Awards honours the hard work and dedication of those in the province’s amateur sport community.

Nominees for the Saskatchewan Sport Awards were submitted by active and affiliate members of Sask Sport. Recipients were selected by a Sask Sport awards committee.

The Saskatchewan Sport Awards are supported by Sask Lotteries, the main fundraiser for sport, culture and recreation groups in Saskatchewan. Every year, proceeds from Sask Lotteries support more than 12,000 non-profit groups that support activities and opportunities that help all participants of all ages and abilities to play, create and grow.