Sarah Raheem, Kane Williamson, and Peter Blackwell at the Bay of Plenty Sports Awards. Photo/Andrew Warner
Ohope world champion Lisa Carrington has received the top honour, the Supreme Award, at the annual Bay of Plenty Sports Awards.
The awards night was held at ASB Arena in Mount Maunganui last night recognising outstanding achievement by athletes, coaches and officials over the past 12 months.
Carrington was not on hand to receive the awards in person but won the Sportswoman of the Year Award and Supreme Award, while Black Cap Kane Williamson won the Sportsman of the Year Award.
Rotorua golfer Danny Lee was also recognised for his outstanding season, which saw him excel on the PGA Tour and play in the Presidents Cup, winning the International Sportsperson of the Year Award.
Olympic kayaking champion Carrington had a massive season this year winning gold in both the women's K1 500m and K1 200m at the Canoe Sprint World Championships in Milan in August.
It is the first time she has achieved the double at the world champs and she will no doubt be looking to repeat that success at the Olympics next year.
"I am really honoured to win this award and am proud to receive it, especially as I don't spend as much time at home as I would like to. So it is always nice to be recognised by the place where I am from," Carrington, 26, said.
"We don't really strive to win these awards. Everyone has done amazing in their sports so it is all about recognising how well everyone has achieved over the year."
Carrington is racing in Rotorua early tomorrow morning and did not attend the awards night.
This year marked the second time Carrington has won the Supreme Award.
Other nominees for the Sportswoman of the Year included Sarah Walker (BMX), Julia Edward (rowing), Zoe Stevenson (rowing), and Luuka Jones (canoe slalom). The nominees for the Sportsman of the Year included Williamson, Adam Ling (rowing), Sam Cane (rugby), Trent Boult (cricket), and Peter Burling (sailing).
Sport Bay of Plenty sport manager and judging convenor Megan Cleverley said the calibre of nominations was outstanding this year.
"It is fantastic what Bay of Plenty athletes, coaches, officials and administrators are achieving," she said.
"This year has highlighted the number of athletes performing on the international stage, and in particular the wide variety of sports and schools doing well.
"This makes the judging job even more difficult but I guess it's a good problem to have."
Internationally recognised rugby referee Glen Jackson was awarded the More FM Official of the Year for the third year in a row.
The AquaPlus Club of the Year went to the Harbourside Netball Centre which in the last year has delivered a wide range of weekly netball competitions to over 4200 players including a netball programme for students with disabilities.
A special part of the night was the Dudfield Bryce Printers Service to Sport category, which acknowledged people who have been involved in their chosen sport for at least 10 years and have made a significant contribution at either regional or national level.
The 10 recipients came from a wide variety of sports.
Celebrated cyclist Julian Dean was the MC for the event which was held in front of about 450 guests.
The Bay of Plenty Sports Awards have been celebrating sporting excellence since 1969.
2015 Bay of Plenty Sports Awards winners:
Supreme Award: Lisa Carrington (kayaking)
Sportswoman of the Year: Lisa Carrington (kayaking)
Sportsman of the Year: Kane Williamson (cricket)
International Sportsperson of the Year: Danny Lee (golf)
Junior Sportswoman of the Year: Amy Robinson (hockey and athletics)
Junior Sportsman of the Year: Aidan Ross (rugby)
Coach of the Year: Sean Horan (sevens)
Official of the Year: Glen Jackson (rugby)
Team of the Year: NZL Beach Volleyball Team
Junior Team of the Year: NZL Canoe Slalom C2 Team
Club of the Year: Harbourside Netball Centre
Secondary School Awards:
Sportswoman of the Year: Alanna Campbell (golf, Aquinas College)
Sportsman of the Year: Lenny Jenkins (rowing, Whakatane High School)
Coach of the Year: Graham Watt (rowing, Whakatane High School)
Girls' Team of the Year: Tauranga Girls' College Canoe Slalom Team
Boys' Team of the Year: Whakatane High School Rowing Team
Student Contribution to Sport: George Haswell (touch and rugby, Mount Maunganui College)
BOPSSPA Secondary School Service to Sport: Gail Zonneveld (football)