The Kaikohe Rugby Football and Sports Club and Kaeo Rugby and Sports Club were acknowledged for making significant contributions to their respective communities over the past year at the 2016 Konica Minolta CSG Northland Sports Awards in Whangarei on Friday night.
It was the second consecutive recognition for the two clubs which were named as joint winners of the Sport NZ Club of the Year at the Far North Sports Awards in Paihia last month.
Both awards recognised the two Far North clubs' level of contribution to and engagement with their community, as well as how well they looked after their members.
Kaikohe club spokesperson Mike Edmonds said everyone was confident of a great future at the club which had been established in 1908.
Since the turn of the century, the club has begun to move with the times by transforming into a multifaceted organisation catering to diverse interests.
The organisation still places a focus on rugby but also includes rugby league, softball and netball under its umbrella.
It also offers a holiday programme for local children along with sewing and te reo classes.
The Kaikohe club successfully organised and ran the Kaikohe Christmas Parade this year.
At the Far North awards ceremony, Kaeo Rugby and Sports Club spokesman Allan Martin noted numbers playing rugby had risen in the 2016 season and the club was also running a successful touch module over the summer.
Sport Northland's Colleen Aitchison said the judges could not separate the two finalists.
"It was felt that their level of contribution to, and engagement with their community, as well as how well they looked after their members, was very similar.
Both clubs have excellent relationship links to schools in their communities which span a wide geographical area.
They provide playing opportunities for young people by hosting sports days and coordinating programmes associated with their regional sports organisation.
"Both clubs provide a community resource by allowing their facilities to be used for community events and regular activities, have codes of conduct for their players, coaches and spectators and have a range of membership options to cover different sports and types of memberships."
Recognition for this award only began in 2013 when it was introduced as a way to recognise clubs showing innovation, growth, development and an improvement in capability over the past 12 months.
"Sport Northland views clubs as the grassroots of sport and an important part of the fabric of a community.
Skills are developed, pathways are provided for members and social engagement is encouraged.
Clubs ensure that young people, adults and masters participants can all be catered for. A successful club must also have a positive impact on the community they are in."
The other finalists in the Club of the Year category were Kaihu Valley Rugby Football and Netball Club (Kaipara district) and City Cricket Club (Whangarei district).
All finalists had won the award in their respective region.
Far North winners:Kerikeri's Olympic gold medal-winning sailor Blair Tuke claimed his fourth Supreme Award at the Konica Minolta CSG Northland Sports Awards in Whangarei on Friday as well as the Sportsman of the Year award.
Sportswoman of the year was Whangarei's Paralympic cyclist Emma Foy who competes with a visual impairment and races on a tandem with pilot Laura Thompson.
Among the other Far North-related highlights at the evening occasion was Kerikeri rugby halfback Sam Nock picking up the Garry Frew Memorial - Kauri Club Northland Junior Sportsperson of the Year Award.
This included a $1000 grant for earning 17 caps with the Taniwha provincial rugby team since his debut in 2015 and being a member of the Blues Super Rugby team and the New Zealand team competing at the U20 World Cup in England.
Kaitaia equestrian Andrew Bennie became the 27th inductee to the Northland Legends of Sport.
A feature on Bennie's achievements is upcoming.