Waipa Sportsman of the Year, Te Awamutu's world champion mountain biker, Sam Gaze with his certificate.
Two-times world under-23 mountain bike champion Sam Gaze was named Sportsman of the Year at 2017 Waipa Networks District Sports Awards.
"It's been an amazing couple of days. I'm over the moon," Gaze said.
Less than 24 hours before the sports awards were held at Te Awamutu Events Centre on Monday night, Gaze upstaged a star-studded field of road cyclists winning the Vantage Criterium National Championships on the streets of Takapuna.
"I was not in the best of health this week but wanted to give it my best. This was a surprise but I felt strong and to win a national title on the road is a real honour. Then to be named Te Awamutu Sportsman of the Year is the icing on the cake. I'm equally proud of that gong."
Gaze won his world title at the UCI World Mountain Bike Champs in Cairns, Australia - taking out the Under 23 Men's XCO (Cross Country Olympic). He continued his success placing fourth at the elite World Cup in Andorra.
Sport Waikato Waipa District Coordinator Rebecca Foy was very pleased with the high calibre of nominations, finalists and winners this year.
"We have had an amazing spread of talent across all categories this year.
"It's great to see the hard work and determination from all our sportspeople really paying off. Those sportspeople could not do what they do without the fantastic support of the many talented coaches, administrators, officials and supporters."
Te Awamutu Rugby Sports and Recreation Club Inc was named Club of the Year.
The club is a leading example of the business model for 'hubbing' sports clubs together.
With multiple codes, all 3500 members benefit from effective communication and
administration.
Having a combination of paid employees and dedicated volunteers allows the club to continuously diversify, upskill and support members, local sport and recreation programmes.
Te Awamutu Sports Cycling Club enjoyed a memorable night, with Cath Cheatley taking out Administrator of the Year and Ellesse Andrews being named Junior Sportswoman of the Year.
Andrews recently returned from the Junior World Cycling Champs in Italy where she came away with a well-deserved gold in the individual pursuit. In doing so, she broke the world record by a staggering four seconds.
Andrews is involved in the Sport NZ/High Performance Sport NZ programme - Pathway to Podium and is a humble athlete who has an outstanding work ethic on and off the track.
Cheatley is an inspirational and influential volunteer in the sport of cycling, who is heavily involved with the Te Awamutu Sports Cycling Club and many other organisations.
She works with Paralympic Cycling and assists with development days and mentors athletes, while also managing the weekly Waipa Secondary Schools Friday night velodrome sessions.
She works tirelessly, the hours she puts in for cycling is phenomenal.
Brooke Donoghue took out Sportswoman of the Year.
In the 2017 season, Donoghue competed at World Rowing Cups in Poland and Switzerland in the women's double sculls with Olivia Loe.
They won gold in both races. At the 2017 World Rowing Championships in Sarasota, Florida, she became world champion in the women's double sculls partnered with Loe.
The other major award winners were Luke Jacobson (Junior Sportsman of the Year), Norm Charlton (Coach of the Year), Cambridge Football Club's senior men's 1st XI (Team of the Year), Netball's Ella Higgins (Official of the Year) and Jordan Hitchcock (Secondary School Contribution to Sport).
Eligible winners and judges' recommendations are now considered for the Brian Perry Waikato Regional Sports Awards on Thursday, February 1, 2018 at Claudelands Conference and Event Centre, Hamilton.
Service to Sport awards were presented six recipients, including Billy Carter (Te Awamutu Football Club) and Clive Steenson (Te Awamutu Rowing Club.
Carter joined Te Awamutu Football Club in 1998 and has played many games, bringing a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to his committed coaching across all ages and stages. In 2008 he created the midgets league and continues to run this.
In 2006 a competition for local primary schools was developed by Carter which grows each year.
Steenson rowed for Te Awamutu from the 60s and over the years he has become multifaceted with differing roles.
He has raised funds, managed building extensions and boat purchasing.
His passion, technical ability, patience and problem-solving attitude has helped pave the way and deepened the culture of the club.