LEAD STORY - AWARDS: Goodwin has Loader written all over him

SHANE HURNDELL
SportToday couldn't help but compare Hawke's Bay Secondary Schools 2008 Sportsperson of the Year Ben Goodwin with Olympian Danyon Loader last night.
Loader, guest speaker at last night's Hawke's Bay Secondary School Sports Awards function, has been there and done that on the international stage. Lindisfarne College yachtie Goodwin, 17, has all the necessary ingredients required to follow a similar path.
``The London Olympics is definitely the main focus,' said Goodwin, who had a fourth placing in the 29er class as a member of the second-placed Kiwi team at the ISAF Youth Worlds in Denmark, a sixth placing in the open 420 world championships and a stint in the 470 world championships as his 2008 international highlights. He also collected two national titles - open and youth 420s.
Just as Loader had to make sacrifices as a youngster, Goodwin already has. He spent the second term of this year at Takapuna Grammar so he could be closer to his crewmates and coaches.
``Auckland is the main centre for sailing and I'm hoping to head up to Auckland University next year so I can be there permanently,' said the Year 13 student, who wants to complete a four-year mechanical engineering degree.
``I need an A or B bursary for that. I've missed a lot of school this year but I've just about got all my studies back on track,' said Goodwin who will compete in the 420 class at the Napier Sailing Club's New Year Regatta.
He told SportToday he was not confident as a public speaker. Neither was Loader for most of his sporting career, but he is one of the most sought after guest speakers in the country now.
SportToday won't be surprised if Goodwin medals at the London Olympics or is a future guest speaker at the Hawke's Bay Secondary School Sports Awards.
Goodwin was one several world-ranked athletes among the finalists for his award.
The Contribution to Officiating Award winner, Hastings Boys' High School rugby and touch referee Zarne Johnson, has also been in action at the international level. He controlled games at the world indigenous touch tournament and was the youngest ref selected for the New Zealand Rugby Union's referee academy.
Napier Boys' High School claybird target shooter Ryan Campbell was a popular winner of the Fairplay award. At a national event, he gave up his spot on the shooting line to a fellow shooter who hadn't shot any birds earlier in the day.
Taradale High School athletics coach Mick Cull took home the Contribution to Coaching award. It recognised his work with Oceania champion Laura Nagel and fellow national champion Eric Speakman, as well as numerous other athletes.
The world-ranked Havelock North High School junior girls' orienteering team won the team of the year award.
THE WINNERS: Category winners and merit award winners EIT Hawke's Bay Sportsperson Award: Winner: Ben Goodwin (Lindisfarne College), sailing. Merit, Laura Nagel (Taradale High School), athletics; Julia Trautvetter (Hastings Girls' High School), rowing; Aari Barrett (Hastings Boys' High School), downhill mountainbiking; Star Timu (Te Aute College), rugby; Nikolos Gibson (Napier Boys' High School), wakeboarding; Campbell Makea (Hastings Boys' High School), softball; Scott McDonald (Karamu High School), orienteering; Rebecca Goldsbury (Central Hawke's Bay College), equestrian; Brook Macdonald (Napier Boys' High School), downhill mountainbiking; Clair Benson (Hastings Girls' High School), swimming; Ashleigh Neave (Sacred Heart College), cycling. Smith and Smith Shoes Fair Play: Winner: Ryan Campbell (Napier Boys' High School), claybird shooting. Merit: William Colenso College senior boys' basketball team. New Zealand Couriers Officiating Award: Winner: Zarne Johnson (Hastings Boys' High School), rugby and touch. Merit: Sam Kerins (St John's College), netball and soccer; Stuart Catley (Central Hawke's Bay College), rugby. Furnware New Zealand Contribution to Coaching Award: Winner: Mick Cull (Taradale High School), athletics. Merit: Tom Makea (Hastings Boys' High School), softball; Peter Hensman (Havelock North High School), cricket; Iain Murray (Napier Boys' High School), athletics; Kim Howard (Taradale High School), netball; Phil Thomas (Woodford House), hockey; Jan Newport (Central Hawke's Bay College), badminton; Chris Scarrott (Havelock North High School), soccer; T Taufale (William Colenso College), basketball. Mackersey Construction Team Award: Winner: Havelock North High School junior girls' orienteering. Merit: Napier Girls' High School, orienteering; Napier Boys' High School, orienteering; Hastings Boys' High School, senior softball; Havelock North High School, girls' 1st XI cricket; Havelock North High School, junior open canoe polo.