Taaaaaall Cup Across Canada sports events are held every
year which have a royal connection or an
award connecting back to the monarchy. I
wrote about one such event last September,
The Royal Saint John's Regatta.
Sports bring people together in a shared
activity. This smooths over differences and
provides a positive means of channeling
rivalries. This is perhaps why the former
King of Afghanistan considered one of his
greatest achievements to be getting all
ethnic groups playing the sport of Buzkashi.
year which have a royal connection or an
award connecting back to the monarchy. I
wrote about one such event last September,
The Royal Saint John's Regatta.
Sports bring people together in a shared
activity. This smooths over differences and
provides a positive means of channeling
rivalries. This is perhaps why the former
King of Afghanistan considered one of his
greatest achievements to be getting all
ethnic groups playing the sport of Buzkashi.
Lord Stanley's Cup
While not the oldest sports trophy in Canada (we'll get to that
one in a moment) the Stanley Cup is the most well-known
(pictured above - but you likely knew that).
The Stanley Cup is named for the individual that conceived of
the idea of having an award for championship hockey; the
Lord Stanley of Preston, who had been named Canada's third
Governor General in 1888. While known now as the 'Stanley
Cup' its original name, still engraved on the side, is 'Dominion
Hockey Challenge Cup'. It was also originally intended by
Lord Stanley to be for amateur hockey (a role that would be
taken over by the Allen Cup in 1908).
What is crazy to think about is that the Stanley Cup predates
hockey being Canada's national sport. At the time the cup was
commissioned hockey was only really played in Ottawa and
parts of Quebec.
one in a moment) the Stanley Cup is the most well-known
(pictured above - but you likely knew that).
The Stanley Cup is named for the individual that conceived of
the idea of having an award for championship hockey; the
Lord Stanley of Preston, who had been named Canada's third
Governor General in 1888. While known now as the 'Stanley
Cup' its original name, still engraved on the side, is 'Dominion
Hockey Challenge Cup'. It was also originally intended by
Lord Stanley to be for amateur hockey (a role that would be
taken over by the Allen Cup in 1908).
What is crazy to think about is that the Stanley Cup predates
hockey being Canada's national sport. At the time the cup was
commissioned hockey was only really played in Ottawa and
parts of Quebec.
Minto Cup
Leaving behind the top award for Canada's national winter
sport we will now look at the top award for Canada's national
summer sport; the Minto Cup for professional Lacrosse. In
1898 the Earl of Minto was named Governor General of
Canada. Much like his predecessor, the Earl enjoyed ice
skating but also Lacrosse.
Lacrosse had been played for thousands of years by Canada's
First Nations but a set of standardized rules had only been
penned in the 1860s. Its name shares an origin with the
French term for field hockey (le jeu de la crosse).
In 1901 the Earl donated the Minto Cup. Like the Stanley Cup it was supposed to be an award for amateur play but this
lasted for an even shorter time than the Stanley Cup - three
years.
sport we will now look at the top award for Canada's national
summer sport; the Minto Cup for professional Lacrosse. In
1898 the Earl of Minto was named Governor General of
Canada. Much like his predecessor, the Earl enjoyed ice
skating but also Lacrosse.
Lacrosse had been played for thousands of years by Canada's
First Nations but a set of standardized rules had only been
penned in the 1860s. Its name shares an origin with the
French term for field hockey (le jeu de la crosse).
In 1901 the Earl donated the Minto Cup. Like the Stanley Cup it was supposed to be an award for amateur play but this
lasted for an even shorter time than the Stanley Cup - three
years.
Grey Cup
The Earl Grey was an interesting man,
an aristocrat and reformer who may
have disregarded the non-partisan role
of his office more than any other
governor general before or since.
Appointed in 1904 to replace the Earl of
Minto (who was his brother-in-law) as
Canada's Governor General, he
supported prison reform, electoral
reform, and decried the Chinese Head
Tax to a degree unthinkable for a
governor general in modern times.
The chalice was commissioned in 1909 and was to be awarded
to the amateur hockey champion (I'm seeing a trend here) but
with the Allen Cup having just taken on that role Lord Grey
instead donated the trophy to Canadian football as its award
for championship play.
an aristocrat and reformer who may
have disregarded the non-partisan role
of his office more than any other
governor general before or since.
Appointed in 1904 to replace the Earl of
Minto (who was his brother-in-law) as
Canada's Governor General, he
supported prison reform, electoral
reform, and decried the Chinese Head
Tax to a degree unthinkable for a
governor general in modern times.
The chalice was commissioned in 1909 and was to be awarded
to the amateur hockey champion (I'm seeing a trend here) but
with the Allen Cup having just taken on that role Lord Grey
instead donated the trophy to Canadian football as its award
for championship play.
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
Lady Byng was the wife of Viscount Byng
of Vimy (who had taken on the role in
1921) and another avid hockey fan.
Unlike the previous trophies this one is
presented to the one individual each
season felt to have demonstrated the
most 'gentlemanly conduct'. The first
winner was Frank Nighbor in 1925. In a
bit of a cute story Lady Byng invited
Nighbor to Rideau Hall, showed him the
trophy, and asked him if the NHL would
accept it as an award for its most
gentlemanly player. When Nighbor said
he thought it would, Lady Byng, much to Nighbor's surprise,
awarded him the trophy.
of Vimy (who had taken on the role in
1921) and another avid hockey fan.
Unlike the previous trophies this one is
presented to the one individual each
season felt to have demonstrated the
most 'gentlemanly conduct'. The first
winner was Frank Nighbor in 1925. In a
bit of a cute story Lady Byng invited
Nighbor to Rideau Hall, showed him the
trophy, and asked him if the NHL would
accept it as an award for its most
gentlemanly player. When Nighbor said
he thought it would, Lady Byng, much to Nighbor's surprise,
awarded him the trophy.
King's/Queen's Plate
Going back to the year 1860 we have an award that has an
even closer association with the monarchy; the King's (or
Queen's) Plate for thoroughbred horse racing. In 1859 Sir
Casimir Gzowski petitioned Queen Victoria to donate the first
trophy for the new competition. Since then royals and vice-
regal appointees have frequently been guests at the race.
The race's name changes based on the title of the reigning
monarch, who also serves as patron of the event.
even closer association with the monarchy; the King's (or
Queen's) Plate for thoroughbred horse racing. In 1859 Sir
Casimir Gzowski petitioned Queen Victoria to donate the first
trophy for the new competition. Since then royals and vice-
regal appointees have frequently been guests at the race.
The race's name changes based on the title of the reigning
monarch, who also serves as patron of the event.
Other Sporting Trophies & Awards
Clarkson Cup - Women's Hockey (currently not awarded)
Vanier Cup - College Football
Willingdon Cup - Amateur Golf
Dufferin Medal - Award for excellence in academics or
athletics. This medal was awarded between 1872 and 1878.
The Governor General's Award is its spiritual successor.
If you go looking you will find even more examples of the
monarchy encouraging excellence in sport and other areas of
Canadian life. It is just one of the many ways the monarchy
helps form the foundation of this country.
Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
Vanier Cup - College Football
Willingdon Cup - Amateur Golf
Dufferin Medal - Award for excellence in academics or
athletics. This medal was awarded between 1872 and 1878.
The Governor General's Award is its spiritual successor.
If you go looking you will find even more examples of the
monarchy encouraging excellence in sport and other areas of
Canadian life. It is just one of the many ways the monarchy
helps form the foundation of this country.
Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
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