Sports Awards: Tuke reigns supreme once again

Blair Tuke once again reigned supreme at Northland's showcase sports awards evening.

The outstanding achievements of Northland's athletes have been recognised at the 2017 Conbrio Northland Sports Awards where winners were announced last night in front of an audience of more than 400. This marks the 30th annual Northland Sports Awards.

Blair Tuke took out the Supreme Award, for a fifth time and earlier in the evening was awarded the Steinlager Pure Sportsman of the Year Award. Tuke was a key member of the New Zealand America's Cup team that won the 35th America's Cup in Bermuda beating Oracle Team USA 7-1.

The Pure Steinlager Sportswoman of the Year Award went to Hockey great Stacey Michelsen who has captained the Black Sticks team throughout 2017 and also played a huge part in the Northland NHL women's team that finished second at National Hockey League tournament this year.

The Garry Frew Memorial Junior Sportsperson of the Year Award went to Teuarangi Tana who has a long list of outstanding achievements in karate including at the Australian Open. Teuarangi took home silver and gold in the Kumite 68+kg division and she is also a NZ kumite over-18 years champion. Tana also received a Kauri Club Scholarship grant of $1000 from Sport Northland to help continue her sporting career.

Another highlight of the evening was the Northern Advocate People's Choice Award presented to Ady McKenzie and her achievements in athletics as voted by the public for Northland World Masters Games Athlete. The award has been going since 2011.

The Brian Maunsell Memorial Service to Sport Award is awarded for outstanding contribution to Northland sport and recognises the selfless dedication that individuals bring for the good of sport. Last night this was awarded to Mervyn Bint.

Bint is a tireless volunteer within the Hockey Northland community and has been involved in many aspects throughout his tenure. He started umpiring club hockey in 1978 and is still actively umpiring today. He has umpired at national tournaments and has also coached several club hockey teams.

The Team of the Year Award went to the Maungaturoto Men's Triples Bowls team who played in the World Masters Games in Auckland winning gold in the triples. They also represented Northland and their club at the New Zealand Club finals winning the event and thus a national title becoming the first Northland men's players to win a New Zealand title since the inception of the Northland Bowling Centre, which is a huge achievement.

The Junior Team of the Year Award went to The Fat Oysters who competed at this year's waka ama sprint nationals on Lake Karapiro winning gold in the J19 W6 division over 1000m. They also came first at the 2016 waka ama long distance nationals in the J16 division.

The night also included a panel of guest speakers involving World Cup winner Black Fern Charmaine Smith, former All Black Derren Witcombe and former Black Caps Hamish and James Marshall who were interviewed by MCs Mereana Hawthorne and Scotty "Sumo" Stevenson.

The Conbrio Northland Sports Awards has been an annual event organised by Sport Northland since 1987. The evening is a celebration to acknowledge the achievements of Northland sportspeople from players through code awards, to coaches, officials, service to sport and two new categories - Community Impact and Junior Sports Team categories.

Award winners:
Aerobics – Michelle Crawford
Archery – Lisa Zwaans
Athletics – Jordyn Hetaraka and Corrine Smith
Badminton – Bryce Zhang and Aina Kida
Boccia – Scotty Burdett
Cricket – Tim Southee and Olivia Lobb
Football – Finn Diamond and Nicole Stratford
Golf - Luke Brown and Kylie Jacoby
Hockey - Hadley Greenhalgh and Stacey Michelsen
Karate - Teuarangi Tana
Lawn Bowls - Wayne Wrack and Maree Attwood
MMA - Renata Poa
Netball - Jo Davis-Cooper
Olympic Weightlifting - Rory Taylor
Parafed - Brent Lynn and Fiona Southorn
Rugby - Jack Goodhue
Showjumping - Nakeysha Lammers
Special Olympics - Daniel Casbolt
Squash - Finn Trimble and Sasha Pou-Tito
Swimming - Paul Linton and Hayley McIntosh
Triathlon - Ruth Hutchinson
Volleyball - Tana Milton and Kelena Roughan
Waka Ama - Tupuria King and Ngaire Pehi
Yachting - Blair Tuke

NorthCloud Masters Sportsperson of the Year - Clasina van der Veeken (athletics)
Pacific Motor Group Official of the Year - Carlrine Gillespie (swimming)
Pak'nSave Coach of the Year - Craig Nordstrand (karate)
Rowsells Collision Repair Leadership in Sport Award - James Morris (table tennis)
Dudley & Dennis Team of the Year - Maungaturoto Men's Triples
Thermatech Junior Team of the Year - Fat Oysters (waka ama)
Brian Maunsell Memorial Service to Sport - Marvyn Bint (hockey)
Garry Frew Memorial Award for Junior Sportsperson of the Year - Teuarangi Tana
Northern Advocate People's Choice Award - Ady McKenzie (athletics)
Steinlager Pure Sportswoman of the Year - Stacey Michelsen (hockey)
Steinlager Pure Sportsman of the Year - Blair Tuke (yachting)
Conbrio Supreme Award - Blair Tuke (yachting)