The annual Sports Awards were packed out with glammed up guests, celebrating the sporting achievement of Bay athletes, coaches and officials over the past year.
Five-hundred and fifty guests attended the event at ASB Arena in Mount Maunganui, including the mayor, deputy mayor and Sir Gordon Tietjens who won a special award.
Finalists and their friends, family, coaches and support crews of athletes were also present as well as representatives from funding partners.
The awards night was combined with secondary school sports awards, and Sports Bay of Plenty's Melanie Short said it was a treat for the young athletes to sit alongside the more recognisable athletes. She said they could see what could happen with hard work in their chosen sport.
Ms Short said a key part of the night was the opportunity to thank the sporting and recreation sector in the Bay because "all the work we do in the community is because of the support we get".