Locals shine at Kaipara sports awards

Local sportspeople were among the major winners at the 2012 Silver Fern Farms Kaipara District Sports Awards held on Friday November 2 at the Lighthouse Function Centre, Dargaville.

Barry Markwick Memorial Service to Sport Awards went to a number of well known personalities.

Derek Kirby has been involved with the Otamatea Rugby Club taking on a managerial role for many of the age group teams, the senior team and the Otamatea/Rodney Taniwha Cup Team. He has also been a dedicated committee member. Derek spent many hours last season as a strapper with the Maori regional senior teams, North Zone senior teams and national teams along with Otamatea and Northland U16’s. Derek was also Northland’s Ball Boy Coordinator.

Robyn Bruce has held various roles in Hockey coaching for 12 years in the Collegiate League and nine years with JMC. She has been a JMC committee delegate, collegiate committee President and delegate. At Otamatea High School she has been in charge of hockey for the past 12 years. She is a loyal committed coach, acting as a mentor and role model for coaches and players alike.

Len Lawrence has been a long-serving member of the Mangawhai Bowling Club having first joined the Hakaru Club in 1986. He has had various roles in both clubs. He was one of the four club members who oversaw the building of the new complex for Mangawhai Bowling Club. Len was awarded with life membership in 2006 and is presently the Patron of the club.

ASB Youth Achievement Awards went to Maungaturoto Moto-X rider Simone Sidwell who placed first at the Nationals in the U17 85–150cc Junior Woman Class; and Hannah Williams, Northern Region Surf lifesaving U14 Sportswoman of the year, including a host of first-placings at the U14 surf lifesaving nationals. 

RESULTS

Silver Fern Farms Sportsman of the Year: Shane Tregidga (Karate)

Silver Fern Farms Sportswoman of the Year: Toni Atkinson (Waterskiing)

Noel Radd Motors Team of the Year: Northland Water Ski Team

Noel Radd Motors Kaipara Junior Team of the Year: Dargaville High School Trapshooting Team

Newman Engineering Administrator of the Year: Maree Chapman (Netball)

Sport New Zealand Coach of the Year: Emma Smith (Football)

Steinlager Edge Referee/Umpire of the Year: Ross Gillespie (Swimming)

Pacific Motor Group Master Sportsperson of the Year: Deborah Hambly (Swimming)

The Barry Markwick Memorial Service to Sport Awards: Christine Taylor (Swimming), Derek Kirby (Rugby), Robyn Bruce (Hockey), Len Lawrence (Lawn bowls)

ASB Youth Achievement Awards: Hugh Thomson (Powerlifting), Simone Sidwell (Moto-X), Sam La Hood (Unicycling), Hannah Williams (Surf Life Saving), Joseph Zwaans (Field Archery).