Poverty Bay Hockey’s premier individual honour for the 2025 season was a family affair.
Brother and sister Kohere and Jody Tupara were named the respective winners of the Bramwell Cup men’s and women’s Player of the Year.
Kohere, who is also Poverty Bay Hockey chairman, led the Laidlaw YMP Ateam to victory over LPSC LOB Traktion in the Premier men’s grand final and a successful defence of the Champions Shield.
Jody was co-captain of the defending champion GMC Green side, who won every game in 2025 bar the Premier women’s grand final, which Ngatapa won for a history-making first time.
The fullback was described by her team as “a strong-willed and determined player ... leading from the back as always”.
Gisborne Boys’ High School First XI captain Ollie Egan was a runaway winner of the Makarauria “Boy” Tuhou Shield as the top male goalscorer.
It is understood Egan scored in every game he played in as he amassed 41 goals. The Year 13 student ended his time with the GBHS First XI in style – scoring five goals in their 7-0 thrashing of Tawa College in the seventh-eighth playoff at the Founders Cup secondary schools tournament in Carterton last week.
GMC Green players Jade Stafford and Jess Candy shared the Lynne Tupara Cup for top female goalscorer – scoring 11 apiece.
