Annually the ASAA presents an award in recognition of outstanding service to the students of Alberta Schools in the promotion and operation of an athletic program. This award recognizes the contributions made by teacher coaches and administrators towards the lives of high school students through school athletics
History
In 2002, the first Zone Awards of Merit were presented to six recipients from five zones for outstanding contributions to their zone. Zone secretaries, in consultation with members of the zones, nominate deserving individuals for this award. A presentation is made to each recipient during the evening banquet held in conjunction with the Annual Planning Meeting in December each year.
In 2023, the South Zone Award of Merit was deservedly renamed to the Marg Derbyshire Award of Merit to honour the 40 years of volunteer work Marg has done with the South Zone and ASAA.