2023 Award Recipients
Annually, the Saskatchewan Association of Recreation Professionals (S.A.R.P.) recognizes dedicated leaders in the recreation industry that are members in good standing with the Association.
We are excited to announce the well-deserving award recipients of 2023!
Outstanding Recreation Professional Award — Joni Hagen
Joni Hagen has been the Executive Director with the South East District for Sport, Culture and Recreation for 13 years. Prior to that, she was with SPRA for four years in various positions and even spent some time working with SARP prior. She has been a Professional Member of SARP off and on since she graduated from the University of Regina in 1999 with a Degree in Physical Activity Studies, majoring in Recreation Administration. In addition, Joni also serves on the Canadian Mental Health Weyburn Board of Directors and has been the Chef de Mission at the Sask Games multiple times.
Joni is a fearless leader. Her leadership abilities have led her team to pilot many programs in the SE including the Facility Inventory Champions program. This program supports small communities that have not traditionally engaged in asset management. Asset management is an important tool, as it helps communities maintain and operate infrastructure in the most effective way so critical services can be provided.
Joni also had an integral part in researching and implementing an Indigenous Walk and Run Program. The purpose of this program is to provide leadership training to initiate and run a walk/run program in First Nation Communities. Multiple First Nations communities have taken part in this training in the South East District. Joni has also developed a Recreation Board Development program which has created 11 new Recreation Director positions in the South East. For this program, she worked on the original committee that was developing the program and ran the provincial pilot project. Out of this and with Joni’s leadership a recreation planning grant, a 7-module “How to be a Recreation Director” manual was developed. A Recreation Professional Mentorship program is another way that Joni supports new recreation directors entering the field in South East Saskatchewan.
Joni is well respected by her colleagues, passionate about recreation and has made a significant impact not only in the SE, but in the province. We are happy to provide her the Outstanding Recreation Professional Award.
Congratulations Joni!
Honorary Life Award — Anne Robins
Anne Robins has been a member of SARP for over 20 years and has been an instructor at Saskatchewan Polytechnic since 2014. She is an educator who maintains a mastery of subject areas and has made a significant impact to curriculum with the inclusion of First Nations, Métis and Inuit content, perspectives, and ways of knowing.
Anne is a role model and leader amongst her peers and students, she is as an excellent educator who demonstrates exceptional commitment to lifelong learning, andragogical engagement and teaching, she fosters pathways to student success, acknowledges the importance of Indigenous language revitalization, and is impacting systemic changes by exemplary teaching and leadership.
Anne graduated from the University of Regina with a Bachelor of Physical Activity Studies in Adapted physical activity. Before coming to Saskatchewan Polytechnic, she was a Recreation Therapist for 23 years working in healthcare settings such as Mental Health and Addictions. Anne continued her education at the University of Alberta with Graduate certificates in Sport and Recreation Management and Indigenous Sport and Recreation. She recently completed her master’s degree in Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation at the University of Alberta. She was interested in learning how recreation therapists use leisure education as an intervention in mental health services.
Anne has contributed to her profession through presenting at provincial and national conferences, by sitting on the board and chairing for her provincial professional association, sitting on the board for her national professional association and on the SK/MB Chapter of the national association. We are happy to present Anne the Honorary Life Award.
Congratulations Anne!
If you require any further information, please contact the provincial office at:
(306) 693-7277 or email office@sarponline.ca
