Laurence Pontbriand has been named the recipient of the CFL’s Jane Mawby Tribute Award for the 2023 season.
First presented in 2019, the award recognizes a highly valued, yet too often unsung, current employee at the club or league level. Its namesake spent 28 years working tirelessly behind the scenes for the Calgary Stampeders, before her untimely passing in 2015 after a battle with cancer.
“Meaningful change in anything requires time, energy and perseverance, but it also requires a guiding voice. Laurence has been a true champion for change for our league and our great game,” CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a statement.
“Laurence has shown incredible vision and conviction in advocating for greater diversity and inclusion across the CFL and in our communities. Through her leadership, we have planted these seeds at the heart of our game, and as they grow and flourish, we will see Canadian football continue to become more open and more welcoming to all peoples.”
Pontbriand serves as the league’s senior manager of football & officiating development, spearheading such projects as the Women in Football Program and the Diversity in Football Program. The two programs, which are entering their third season, have now welcomed 36 total participants to intern with the league’s nine clubs during training camp.
“We hear the phrase ‘Grow the Game’ in every sport, but too often, it’s rare to see it in action,” Ambrosie said. “We’re by no means where we want to be in terms of diversity and inclusion; there’s still so much work to be done, but Laurence has led the charge and we’re seeing her efforts create real and positive change. The league and Canadian football as a whole are better for it and we’ll continue to make strides down this path.”
Pontbriand is also a member of the Canadian national women’s tackle football team.
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