For his athletic excellence, leadership, and perseverance at the St. John’s 2025 Canada Games, Gavin Baggs has been named a winner of the 2025 Roland Michener Award.

Gavin competed in two sports at the Games, winning medals in both swimming and athletics for the host province of Newfoundland and Labrador - the memory of which is etched in his mind forever.

“There isn’t a moment from the Canada Games that I have forgotten,” he said. “Winning Newfoundland’s first medal on the opening day of the Games and receiving a silver medal in the men’s para 400 m freestyle in swimming, winning the gold medal in the men’s wheelchair 1500m race in track and field, and being named the Flag Bearer for my Province for the closing ceremonies. All moments that I will remember for the rest of my life in great detail.”

Gavin received Team NL’s first medal at the Games from someone who had accomplished the same feat 20 years earlier. Katarina Roxon, now a five-time Paralympian in swimming and a Paralympic Champion, presented Gavin with his medal as a member of the Board for the 2025 Canada Games.

But the athlete from Paradise, NL is no stranger to the spotlight, having co-won the Sport NL Junior Male Athlete of the Year in 2024 alongside his Canada Games teammate in athletics, Sawyer LeBlanc. For those who know him, they won’t be surprised to learn that award was given to him broadly for Para Sport, because Gavin has been busy representing NL in the pool, on the track, on the court, and even on the ice.

While Gavin excelled in St. John’s this summer, the competition was his fourth time competing at the Canada Games. He suited up for the wheelchair basketball team at the Winter Games in 2019 and 2023, and competed exclusively in swimming at the last Summer Games in Niagara.

With all of his experience, and all of the work he has put into the Canada Games over the last several years, winning the Roland Michener Award means that much more to him.

“I know how many spectacular athletes competed at the Games this year, and there are so many deserving of this award, so for the committee to choose me for this is an absolutely amazing feeling,” Gavin said. “To receive an award which has been given to many iconic and inspiring athletes who have competed in Games past is crazy to me, and I am honoured to be one of the two to be given this honour for these games.”

Despite all of his accomplishments at the Canada Games, Gavin’s goals for the future centre around another sport altogether.

“Representing Canada at the Paralympics in para hockey has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember,” he said. “I am currently in the pool of athletes with Team Canada for the 2026 Paralympics. Making the team for the upcoming Paralympics would be a dream come true, however there is a very talented group of players this year so I know making it will be difficult.”

As we await upcoming roster announcements going into the winter along with the rest of his supporters, Gavin remains undeterred.

“If I don't make it this year, it will fuel me to keep working hard, improve my game and set my goals on 2030.”