Thursday, March 16, 2023 (Halifax, NS) – Cleve’s Source for Sports Athlete of the Month Recipients Announced  

Sport Nova Scotia is proud to announce the March 2023 Cleve’s Source for Sports Athlete of the Month recipients; Abigael Brownell (Jr. Female), and Gassan Alkurdi (Jr. Male), Harry Nickerson (Sr. Male) and Sophie Blades (Team of the Month).  

Abigael Brownell: 20-year-old Trampoline gymnastics athlete from North River. 

Recent achievements: Abigael gained a silver and bronze medal after competing in the Canada Winter Games in individual and synchronized trampoline gymnastics. She finished with a personal best in her single routine and accomplished the three highest execution scores of the women’s competition.  

Gassan Alkurdi: 17-year-old Karate athlete from Halifax. 

Recent achievements: In the debut appearance of Karate at the Canada Winter games, Gassan became the first ever gold medalist in the division of -61kg Kumite (Sparring). He is also the current -61kg national champion.  

Harry Nickerson: 14-year-old Goalball athlete from Halifax. 

Recent achievements:  Last month, Harry was one of the youngest players to play on a senior men’s team at the Ontario Parasport Games. Team Nova Scotia won silver, where Harry was a key player scoring seven goals. In this past year, Harry has represented Nova Scotia at two other tournaments, both times the team won gold.  

Under 21 Curling, Team Blades 

Recent achievements: Team Blades won gold in Women’s Curling at the Canada Winter Games last month. By winning gold at the Winter Games, they accomplished a first for Nova Scotia; winning three provincials in one season – the Under 18, the Under 21 and the Canada Winter Games. Qualifying for Canada Winter Games had two pre-trial events which saw Team Blades qualify in the first pre-trials meaning they went straight to the trials where they came in first.  

Quick Facts:  
Athlete of the Month  

•The Athlete of the Month program is administered by Sport Nova Scotia, whose members are eligible to nominate athletes for the awards.   

•A membership committee selects the award recipients for five possible categories: Male Individual Athlete, Female Individual Athlete, Male Team Athlete, Female Team Athlete, and Team.   

Sport Nova Scotia is a voice for amateur sport that promotes the benefits of health, personal development and achievement of all participants. Sport Nova Scotia is a non-profit, non-government organization representing approximately 60 provincial sport organizations and more than 160,000 member Nova Scotians. For more information about the awards, please visit sportnovascotia.ca