The Game Plan Champion Award celebrates an athlete who has fully embraced Game Plan and significantly benefited from its programs, services and resources. This award highlights an athlete who not only excels in their sport but also takes ownership of their holistic development.
Each year, Game Plan Advisors nominate one athlete from their respective Canadian Sport Institute or Centre who exemplifies these values. The following six athletes have been recognized as this year’s Game Plan Champions, each demonstrating what it means to live well through and beyond sport:
Canadian Sport Institute Pacific (CSIP): Keegan Gaunt (Para Athletics)
Canadian Sport Institute Alberta (CSIAB): Emma Lunder (Biathlon)
Canadian Sports Centre Saskatchewan (CSCS): Sydney Carroll (Artistic Swimming)
Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO): Steph Currie (Alpine Skiing)
Institut national du sport du Québec (INS): Laurianne Imbeau (Artistic Swimming)
Canadian Sport Institute Atlantic (CSIA): Luke Ruitenberg (Sailing)
KEEGAN GAUNT (Para Athletics) – Canadian Sport Institute Pacific
Keegan is a Paralympian and Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games athlete. Since 2021, Keegan has held the Canadian record in the women’s T13 1500m. As a strong believer in balance beyond sport, Keegan has embraced Game Plan’s holistic support to grow personally and professionally – from attending networking events and workshops to mental health and career transition support. After an injury following Santiago 2023, Keegan leaned on Game Plan’s support network to help her recover and return stronger, ultimately making her Paralympic debut at Paris 2024. Now working at a wealth management firm, Keegan credits the skills and confidence she developed through Game Plan for her successes both on and off the track.
EMMA LUNDER (Biathlon) – Canadian Sport Institute Alberta
Emma is a two-time Olympian and one of Canada’s most accomplished biathletes. Throughout her athletic career, and now into retirement, Emma has consistently engaged with Game Plan’s network – participating in workshops, events, and the Success After Sports Program, which gave her tools to navigate life after sport with confidence and purpose. Now enrolled in the University of Calgary’s Community Rehab and Disability Studies program, Emma continues to apply what she’s learned through Game Plan’s resources to her academic and personal journey. Emma’s story reflects Game Plan’s commitment to helping athletes live well, in and beyond sport.
SYDNEY CARROLL (Artistic Swimming) – Canadian Sport Centre Saskatchewan
Sydney is an artistic swimmer who has been a member of the senior national team since 2020 and competed at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games. After travelling to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as a reserve, Sydney took a transition year to explore new experiences and rediscover balance outside of her sport. With the guidance from Game Plan’s support network, Sydney embraced academic opportunities, built new connections and cultivated a broader sense of identity outside of sport. From coaching and speaking to young athletes and running a half marathon, Sydney continues to grow and inspire others through her openness to new challenges.
STEPH CURRIE (Alpine Skiing) – Canadian Sport Institute Ontario
Steph is an alpine skier and the national recipient of the Game Plan Champion Award, which she accepted at the 2025 Canadian Sport Awards on October 3, 2025. The Canadian Sport Awards (CSA) are the premier recognition event for national sporting excellence. AthletesCAN brings together members of the sport community to honour the spirit, drive, and commitment of Canada’s international level athletes, coaches, volunteers, and sport leaders.
Characterizing her experience with Game Plan as a life-changing force in both her personal and professional growth, Steph has maximized the programs, services and resources offered through Game Plan to grow with confidence and purpose. She credits the support from her Game Plan Advisor to helping her explore her identity outside of sport. Through Game Plan’s partnership with the Smith School of Business, Steph completed both her Graduate Diploma in Business, as well as her Master of Business Administration (MBA). She also gained valuable work experience through the Deloitte Work Experience program, where she currently still works as a Consultant on Deloitte Canada's Sport Business Advisory team.
As a recipient of the NCCP Coach Education Program grant through Game Plan and the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC), Steph continues to serve the sport community as a High Performance Ski Coach for Alpine Ontario. She is also a member of the CSIO Athlete Council and most recently named a Director on the CSIO Board.
Across her sport, her work and her life, Steph displays a dedication to personal growth and performing at the highest level, and personifies Game Plan’s commitment to holistic development.
LAURIANNE IMBEAU (Artistic Swimming) – Institut national du sport du Québec
Laurianne is an artistic swimmer who has been on Canada’s senior national team since 2021. As a dedicated athlete, Laurianne has fully embraced the holistic support offered through Game Plan, describing it as a pivotal turning point in her athletic and personal journey. With the guidance and resources available through the network, Laurianne has learned to identify her strengths, address her growth areas all while staying focused on her long term goals. Her proactive approach to personal development and balance reflects a deep understanding of what it means to live well, both in and beyond sport. Today, Laurianne continues to advocate for mental well-being, balance, and growth - all values aligned with Game Plan.
LUKE RUITENBERG (Sailing) – Canadian Sport Institute Atlantic
Luke was a member of the Canadian Sailing Team and a two-time Senior National Champion. After announcing his retirement in 2024, Luke had ideas about what he wanted to do next, but no clear path on where to start or how to get there. With the individual guidance from his Game Plan Advisor, Luke was able to identify roles that aligned with his strengths and personal values, gaining clarity and direction for his next chapter. With that guidance and support, Luke transitioned smoothly to a new career as a Corporate Finance Analyst for Natural Forces where he designs, builds and maintains financial models for renewable energy projects across Canada and Europe. Post-retirement, Luke also shifted his focus towards uplifting the next generation of youth in sport, working as a race team coach to young sailors in Nova Scotia. Luke credits his Game Plan Advisor’s easy, actionable steps to help him adjust and get to where he is now. His story embodies Game Plan’s mission to help athletes live well and lead with purpose beyond sport.
About Game Plan
Game Plan is Canada’s holistic athlete-support network. Its nationwide team of world-class experts and specialized advisors empowers national athletes with practical ways to live healthy, balanced, and personally successful lives at every stage of their journey. Game Plan’s growth-centred programs, structured services, and everyday resources are custom designed to support the total well-being of every individual athlete.
Established in 2015, Game Plan is a globally leading initiative which functions in collaboration with the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC), Sport Canada and the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSIN).