Clubbies’ top gong to Taylor

TOP ATHLETE OVERALL: Midway’s Cory Taylor was named International and open male surf athlete of the year for Tairawhiti at the surf lifesaving awards of excellence night on Thursday. File Picture

Ironman supremo Cory Taylor was named open and international male sportsperson of the year at the Zespri Gisborne-Tairawhiti surf lifesaving Awards of Excellence on Thursday night.

A crowd of around 150 attended the presentation night at The White House restaurant and function centre.

Taylor, unable to attend due to training commitments on the Gold Coast, thanked the sponsors, his Gisborne club Midway, and all those involved in the awards in a pre-recorded livestream.

Taylor won the New Zealand ironman title, other medals for his club and country and a round of the Nutrigrain Ironman Series at Surfers Paradise.

He has been based on the Gold Coast for several years and competes there for the Northcliffe club.

The open sportswoman of the year went to another Midway and New Zealand representative, Olivia Corrin.

Corrin had a successful competition season, highlighted by her win in the under-19 ironwoman at the national champs in March.

Coach of the year was Riversun Wainui’s Dion Williams, whose name goes forward for consideration for New Zealand coach of the year.

“Congratulations to all the other coaches out there, you’re all legends,” he said. “Everyone getting awards here tonight is a credit to you guys.”

Sports team of the year were the Waikanae IRB crew of Connor Mitchell, Oliver Shivnan and Harry Allan.

They dominated the North Island championships and finished top under-22 team at the New Zealand championships.

The crew claimed 12 medals out of 14 competition races this year, including two golds and a silver at the nationals.

Waikanae club administrator Clara Wilson said as well as the team’s “impressive” results this year, they also made “exceptional progress” in coaching other team members.

Sportsperson of the year age group awards went to Chloe Kapene (Waikanae, under-14 female), Oska Smith (Waikanae, u14 male); Briana Irving (Waikanae, u16 female); Jack Keepa (Wainui, u16 male); Corrin (u19 female); Jordan McLarin (Waikanae, u19 male).

Emerging coach of the year went to Wainui’s Sonia Keepa while Midway’s Andrew Gaddum won the emerging official category.

Waikanae’s Debbie Hutchings won the official and masters female sportsperson of the year awards.

Masters male sportperson was Midway’s Rob Fergus.