“To have them on stage receiving an award is truly heartwarming. They’ll tell you they don’t do what they do to receive an award, but the acknowledgement and recognition goes such a long way towards feeling valued.”
“The incredible passion and commitment of all of our nominees, finalists and winners is evident in the way they talk about their initiatives and people. And to hear them talk about addressing the needs of the participant ... makes me immensely proud.”
The 2023 award categories were: Community Connection, Sport & Active Recreation Partnership, Commitment to Accessibility & Inclusion, Outstanding Active Space Initiative, Commitment to Youth Engagement, Outstanding By Youth For Youth Initiative, Community Coach and Community Unsung Hero.
In addition to the eight category winners, the awards also crowned the recipient of the Hare Puke Leadership in Sport Award which recognises one person’s special service to sport in the wider Waikato region.
The 2023 Leadership in Sport Award went to former Rugby League player Honey Hireme-Smiler, who was also the MC of the awards night and who Cooper described as a “true wāhine toa for our region”.
Waikato Sport Award winners 2023
● Community Connection
Community Sport Delivery (Te Awamutu Rugby Sports & Recreation Club)
● Sport & Active Recreation Partnership
Waikato Multi-Sport Holiday Programme (Hamilton)
● Commitment to Accessibility & Inclusion
ConnectEd Dance Co, Children’s Dance Classes (Hamilton)
● Outstanding Active Space Initiative
Tīrau Domain Project (South Waikato)
● Commitment to Youth Engagement
Te Awamutu Boxing Academy
● Outstanding By Youth For Youth Initiative
Jamie Hopson, Hajamie Judo (Cambridge)
● Community Coach
Gabi Peach, Waikato Weightlifting Club, Waikato Diocesan School for Girls (Hamilton)
● Community Unsung Hero
Vicki Skill, Whiritoa Lifeguard Service (Coromandel)
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