Nikkei Youth Athletics Bursary
Unfortunately, applications for 2024 are closed due to JCLS sponsorships. We encourage you to consider applying for the Nikkei Youth Athletics Bursary again next year when the application process reopens.
Investing in the potential of future generations
The Nikkei Youth Athletics Bursary is a $1,000 bursary that recognizes the achievements of Canadian Nikkei youth student-athletes who foster excellence in sports, academics and community leadership.
This bursary is meant to encourage youth to have aspirations and voice in our community as individual leaders or as a youth leader within community organizations. It aims to support and encourage youth engagement in their community and the building of healthy communities through athletics.
This bursary has been made possible through a generous donation by the Nikkei Hockey Program. We thank Ian Burgess, Dan Nomura, Paul Kariya and Ken Takeuchi who are pleased to represent the many contributors to the past Nikkei Hockey Programs.
Recipients
2022-23 | Kamloops Judo Club
The Kamloops Judo Club Society has been dedicated to teaching the principles and philosophy established by the founder of judo over the years. The Club has not only produced many champions at the national and provincial levels but has developed many outstanding citizens who became leaders in the City of Kamloops.
2021-22 | Kenji Yamamoto
Kenji Yamamoto is a second year student at Douglas College, enrolled in the Bachelor of Physical Education and Coaching (BPEC) program. His passion for sports and physical activities developed from a young age. Throughout highschool he played basketball, volleyball, and rugby, but he loved soccer the most. During his time with the Cliff Avenue F.C., his team won many competitions and trophies, including Bronze in the B.C. division 1 league.He grew up surrounded by great influences, which not only gave him an amazing childhood, but ultimately the passion to become a P.E. teacher. He aspires to be a role model for younger generations, to inspire and help them achieve their highest potential.
2021-22 | Max Hamanishi
Max Hamanishi is currently an undergraduate student-athlete in the Sports Science program, majoring in Kinesiology at Douglas College. He is a varsity baseball player with the Douglas College Royals and has played baseball for 13 years. He was the bronze medal BC team pitcher in the 2017 and 2018 Little League Canadian Championships. Max was also a competitive swimmer for 10 years and competed at the BC provincials each year from 2016 to 2019.Max studied at Gladstone Japanese Language School and Coquitlam Japanese Language Academy. He spends time volunteering in the community picking up litter on neighbourhood streets and shovelling snow and delivering meals to seniors. Max’s favourite Japanese foods are chirashi zushi and zenzai.
2019-20 | Kianna Darbyshire
Kianna Darbyshire is currently an undergraduate student studying Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia, and a competitive Kendoka. She most recently became the U18 National Champion at the 2017 Canadian National Kenko Championships and placed 3rd for Team Championships at the 2018 World Kendo Championships in Incheon Korea. She is currently training in hopes to represent Canada again at the 2021 World Kendo Championships in Paris; she also competes at local tournaments — the next big competition is the Canadian Nationals.Her ultimate goal is to pursue a career as a commercial pilot, a dream she has had since she was twelve years old when she flew in the Air Cadets. She is currently working towards a private license at The Pacific Flying Club, and studying at UBC to help reach her dream. As a member of both the Vancouver Kendo Club and the Air Cadets, she spends part of her time volunteering and teaching. Born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1929, Raymond Moriyama is an internationally renowned Japanese-Canadian architect. He has designed projects around the globe, including: Ottawa's City Hall, the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo, the Saudi Arabian National Museum, and the Canadian War Museum, among others.
2018-19 | Shin Asahi Baseball Team
The Asahi Baseball Association is spreading the Japanese way of baseball — inspired by the original Asahi team's skill, perseverance, accomplishments, and wishes to inspire a new generation of ball players in Nikkei community in Canada. They are dedicated to building healthy communities through baseball.
2017-2018 | Dante St. Prix
Dante is currently an undergraduate student majoring in Engineering Physics at the University of British Columbia. He is a competitive Judoka, most recently winning a senior silver medal at the 2017 Pacific International and a U-21 gold medal at the 2017 Provincials. In 2014-15, he represented Canada at the Junior European Cup and the International Masters.Dante became part of the Nikkei Place community as a student at Gladstone Japanese Language School, and graduated from the middle school program. He spends time volunteering as an assistant instructor and coach with the Ishikawa Judo Club.
2016-17 | Beth Kamimura
Beth Kamimura is a student-athlete, currently enrolled in her first year at Simon Fraser University. She has been a catcher for the Delta Heat 98 Fastpitch team for the past 8 years. Her great-grandfather, John Nihei was also a catcher for the Vancouver Asahi.Who Can Apply?
Applicant Criteria:
Must be a permanent resident of Canada or Canadian citizen at the time of his or her application
Youth 25 years old or under (at the time of application) who is involved with Nikkei community organizations and/or involved within the Nikkei community as participants, volunteers or staff members
Graduating secondary school applicants must have a minimum high school GPA 3.00 on a 4.00 scale
Current post-secondary students must be in good academic standing at your current post-secondary institution or able to demonstrate potential to achieve a successful academic experience at the college or university the applicant is planning to attend.
Able to demonstrate leadership and community involvement in the Nikkei community
Plans to enroll or is currently enrolled at either an accredited 2‐year junior or community college in Canada, OR an accredited 4‐year college/ university in Canada.
Consideration will be given to students who are involved in local minor associations in a leadership role, pursuing a degree with an athletics related major, or who are training to be part national or international amateur sporting events (Eg, Olympic Junior Hockey).
Evaluation Criteria:
Academic Potential:
Bursary will be given to full or part-time students who have been accepted to or are attending an accredited Canadian or accredited Non-Canadian post-secondary institution during the current academic year and are able to demonstrate a commitment to their education.Demonstrated leadership:
The Selection Committee will look for situations where students have challenged themselves in order to influence others and address local community issues that are important to them.Community involvement:
Recipients will be able to demonstrate genuine commitment and connection to the Nikkei community at a neighbourhood level.Financial need:
Priority may be given to applicants who have demonstrated a need for financial support.
Submit an Application
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Required Documents to Submit:
Completed Application Form (Submit online or available for download here)
Copy of applicant’s most recent transcript
Copy of acceptance letter from an accredited Canadian or non-accredited Non-Canadian post-secondary institution
Short essay or story (300-400 words) about your Nikkei heritage and identity
Letter explaining financial need (if applicable)
Two references
Documents can be sent to: nominate@nikkeiplacefoundation.org or mailed to:
Nikkei Place Foundation
220-6688 Southoaks Crescent
Burnaby, BC V5E 4M7
Online Application Form:
Nominate a Nikkei Youth
The Nikkei Place Foundation is currently accepting nominations for our Nikkei Youth Athletics Bursary Award. Nominate an amazing young person from the Nikkei community who has balanced academics with their athletic achievements and shows an interest in or already is actively involved in the Japanese Canadian community.