Dr. Robert Steadward
Wheelchair Sports Builder - Inducted 1984
.Robert Steadward became the head coach for the Paralympic Sports Association in Edmonton in 1967. Since then, he has been involved in many administrative positions. He helped to found the Alberta Wheelchair Sports and Recreation Association; the Research and Training Centre for the Physically Disabled at the University of Alberta; and, the Canadian Olympic Trust Fund for the Physically Disabled. He has been the team manager and/or coach for many of Canada's international teams of disabled athletes. "Bob" Steadward has been involved with the Paralympic Sports Association of Edmonton; Canadian Federation of Sports Organizations for the Physically Disabled, Alberta Wheelchair Sports and Recreation Association, Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association, 1978 Commonwealth Games Committee, and, 1983 World University Games Committee. In addition to leadership roles in the area of sport both locally and internationally, and in his academic position, Dr. Bob Steadward is Director of Sport Counselling for the Edmonton Sport Institute, a sports medical clinic serving individuals and teams with athletic injuries.
After Induction
Bob's list of awards, honours and achievements covers several pages. He was the founding president of the International Paralympic Committeein 1989 and remained in that position through 2001. He also served as a member of the IOC and on the Canadian Olympic Committee. He is an honourary Life Member of the Paralympic Sports Association, the Alberta Wheelchair Sports Association and the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association. In 1991 he received the Bryce Taylor Memorial Award as the nation's "Outstanding Sport Volunteer" from the Sports Federation of Canada. He has been inducted into a number of Hall's of Fame and has received honourary degrees from educational institutions around the world. Robert Steadward was one of the Committee Flag bearers during the Toronto 2015 Para Pan American Games opening ceremony.
1990 - Sport Volunteer Recognition Award
1995 - King Clancy Award for Outstanding Contribution to Canadians with Disabilities
1995 - Roger Jackson Award for Outstanding Lifetime Contribution to the promotion and development of wheelchair sports
1996 - Recipient of the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association's inaugural "Dr. Robert D. Steadward" award for outstanding lifetime service
1996 - Edmonton Sports Hall of Fame
1999 - Officer of the Order of Canada
2000 - Elected member of the IOC
2002 - Terry Fox Hall of Fame
2002 - Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal
2002 - University of Alberta Sports Wall of Fame
2003 - Canadian Olympic Committee Honourary Life Member
2003 - International Paralympic Order
2004 - Edmontonian of the Century
2005 - Alberta - Centennial Salute for Sport and Recreation
2007 - Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
2009 - Athletics Alberta (Track and Field) Achievement Award
2010 - Alberta Order of Excellence
2010 - "one of Alberta's 50 Most Influential People" - Alberta Ventrue magazine
2010 - Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance President's Award
2010 - International Olympic Order
2020 - Promoted to Companion of the Order of Canada
