Danielle Dorris and Alexandre Hayward named New Brunswick’s athletes of the year

Photo: Danielle Dorris with her coach Ryan Allen

FREDERICTON – Para swimmer Danielle Dorris and Para cyclist Alexandre Hayward, two of Canada’s biggest stars at the recent Paralympic Games, have been named New Brunswick’s Athletes of the Year.

The ceremony took place Saturday during a gala evening at the Fredericton Congress Centre.

In Paris, Dorris successfully defended her title in the women’s S7 50m butterfly and now has three medals, including two gold, in three Paralympic Games appearances.

Dorris, 22, also won the award in 2021 and 2023 and was a finalist in 2019 and 2022. For 2024, she beat out Olympic swimmer Brooklyn Douthwright of Moncton and Para triathlete Kamylle Frenette of Dieppe, fourth in Paris.

In addition, Dorris’s coach Ryan Allen was named the province’s Coach of the Year.

For his part, Hayward competed in two major events in 2024. In his Paralympic Games debut in Paris he won the bronze medal in the 3000m individual pursuit then a couple of weeks later at the world Para road championships in Zurich he added third place finishes in the time trial and road race.

‘’I’m a proud New Brunswicker,’’ Hayward, 27, from Quispamsis told Acadie Nouvelle. ‘’And as was the case in Paris I got to experience this award with my family. It’s heartwarming to see people have discovered my sport

‘’It provides me with motivation to get to work for next season.’’

Hayward won the award in 2022 as well. Two-time winner Colin Higgins of Rothesay (wheelchair basketball) and sprint hurdler Craig Thorne were the other finalists.

Wheelchair basketball player Logan Aalders of Fredericton won the Sportsmanship Award.