Unitec Sporting Excellence Koru Awards

What a night! The Trusts Stadium was the place to be for Waitakere's sporting achievers on Friday night. The 'Oscars of Sport in Waitakere', the Koru Awards, brought together sporting greats current and past in a fantastic glitzy evening.

MC Phil Gifford kept the crowd entertained and we were wowed by Roland Williams, winner of Homai te Pakipaki, with his smooth singing voice.

But the night goes to the finalists and winners. Congratulations to you all.

Unitec Supreme Award: Martin Guptill (Cricket)

Harvey Norman Henderson Sportswoman of the Year
Winner: Kelly Mason (Water Polo)
Finalists:
Georgina Toomey (Swimming/Surf Life Saving)
Paula Griffin (Netball)
Cathrine Latu (Netball)

Steinlager Sportsman of the Year
Winner: Martin Guptill (Cricket)
Finalists:
Nafi Tuitavake (Rugby Union)
Anthony Tuitavake (Rugby Union)

Steinlager Masters Sportsperson of the Year 
Winner: Gordon Fletcher (Power Lifting)
Finalists:
Tiare Lund (Triathlon)
Maria Tetohu (Waka Ama Outrigger Canoe)
Gordon Jackson (Marathon)

SPARC Junior Sportswoman of the Year
Joint Winners: Elizabeth Lamb (Athletics - High Jump) and Nadia Pearl (Football)
Finalist:
Kirby Wotherspoon (Karate)

Lion Foundation Junior Sportsman of the Year
Winner: Phillip Ryan (Swimming)
Finalist:
Jonathon Bassett-Graham (Cricket)

Italian Stone Administrator of the Year
Winner: Rob Wakelin (Surf Life Saving)
Finalists:
Jenny Lindsay (Triathlon)
Mabel Todd (Cricket)

Alloy Yachts Coach of the Year
Winner: Mark Bourneville (Surf Life Saving)
Finalists:
Judith Wright (Swimming)
Charles Gibb (Athletics - Sprinting)
Carl Newman (Surf Life Saving)

Waitakere City Council Club of the Year
Winner: Piha Surf Life Saving Club
Finalists:
Waitakere Cricket Club
Waitakere Outrigger Canoe Club Inc.
United North Piha Surf Lifeguard Service

Western Leader Official of the Year
Winner: Cory Mills (Soccer)
Finalist:
Tim Draisey (Swimming)

Canam Construction Team of the Year
Winners: Piha Surf Life Saving Club 'A' Boat Crew
Finalists:
Suburbs New Lynn Cricket Club Premier Men's Team
Netball Auckland Waitakere NPC1 Team
Netball Auckland Waitakere Under 17 Team
Netball Auckland Waitakere Under 19 Team

Foster Signs Volunteer Service to Sport
Winner: Rob Pidgeon (Surf Life Saving)
Finalists:
Mark Bourneville (Surf Life Saving)
Robyn Harding (Netball)

Te Whanau O Waipareira Trust Maori Achievement in Sport
Winner: Cathrine Latu (Netball)
Finalists:
Danielle Barry (Badminton)
Anaru Kitchen (Cricket)

Ed Johnston & Co Barristers & Solicitors Pacific Island Achievement in Sport
Winner: Paula Griffin (Netball)
Finalists:
Grace Rasmussen (Netball)
Sala Falelua (Rugby League)
Joshua Cocker-Valu (Athletics - Sprinting)


In addition the Lineset Sporting Acknowledgement Awards recognise a club administrator, volunteer or sportsperson who has made a significant contribution over the past year. These awards were presented to:

Collette Scholtens (Cricket)
Phillip Morris (Curling)
Kristy Collins (Gymnastics)
Gordon Fletcher (Power Lifting)
Fran Bromhead (Rugby Union)
Noel Kay (Surf Life Saving)
Judith Wright (Swimming)
Jenny Lindsay (Triathlon)


For further information please contact:
Jody Moran, Sport Waitakere
Phone: 09 966 3121 Mobile: 027 688 3199
Email: jody.moran@sportwaitakere.co.nz

Sport Waitakere would like to acknowledge the support of prize sponsors for this event including:

• The Trusts Stadium Fitness Centre
• Unitec
• Dynamic Sport
• Westfield WestCity
• MOTION Holistic Health Sports Rehab
• Auckland's Waitakere Estate
• AWOL Adventures