Sport winners' hooley

211114WCLGAwards1 WINNER: Wanganui Chronicle general manager Andy Jarden and rower Kerri Gowler with the Wanganui Chronicle Supreme Award. PICTURE: LEWIS GARDNER

Held in the Wanganui Racecourse Eulogy Lounge, the event's packed audience paid tribute to those who excel in their chosen sporting fields.
Bev Shingles was honoured with a place in the Wanganui Sports Hall of Fame, her long list of achievements itemised by the statistician of Wanganui sport, JB Phillips. Bev, a triple former New Zealand champion distance runner, was chosen by a board consisting of Wanganui District Councillor Sue Westwood, former Sport Wanganui chairperson Christine Jones, Whanganui iwi representative Ken Mair, New Zealand Hall of Fame director Ron Palenski, JB Phillips, council sport and recreation adviser Keith Smith and multi-sport event organiser Mark Stoneman. Bev, 74, attended the awards with husband Mike.
Guest speakers were cycling duo Dayle and Kath Cheatley who endured a hilarious couch interview by Ben Hurley, who didn't shy away from the risque. He also interviewed Silver Ferns Jodi Brown and Joline Henry, opening the chat by asking why they couldn't beat Australia.
Fourteen people were presented with Sport Wanganui Services to Sport Recognition Awards: Peter Smith (rowing); Kylie Penn (hockey); Elizabeth Smith (gymnastics); Dave Tilley (bowls, hockey and rugby); Renee Harrison (netball); Adam Hamlin (cycling); Ken Carvell (rugby); Kevin and Kristie Cate (cycling); Martin Inness (cricket); John Laurenson (squash); Terence Hemmingsen (ski racing); Jake Stead (Brazilian jiu jitsu); Robert McMillan (archery); and Kent Darlington (squash).
Jake Stead, who was not present, provided ammunition for a Ben Hurley running gag throughout the night.
Krystine Davies picked up the David Jones Motors Masters Award for inline speed skating and the Mars Petcare Coach of the Year award went to Brian Scott for sprint kayaking.
The Aramoho Wanganui Rowing Club picked up a shelf of awards as a club and by individuals, with the Stihl Shop Wanganui Club of the Year, Treadwell Gordon Junior Team of the Year (Jackie Gowler and Georgia Nugent-O'Leary), Velo Ronny's Bicycle Store International Junior Sportsperson of the Year (Kerri Gowler), and the Wanganui Chronicle Supreme Award (Kerri Gowler).
Grant McCullough (indoor bowls) and Sam Donaldson (swimming) were each awarded Rivercity Gas Disabled Sportsperson Recognition, a newly introduced award.
The lawn bowls pair of brothers Warrick and Cary Pinker won the Ali Arc Senior Team of the Year, their size and demeanour prompting Ben Hurley to do a Kray brothers impression in his best Cockney.
Shannon Schimanski won the Stirling Sports National Junior Sportsperson of the Year for her swimming achievements and NZCT National Senior Sportsperson of the Year went to squash player Jackie Tapp, who added to the moment by taking a selfie with Ben.
Rebecca Scown was a winner again with the Mitre 10 Mega International Sportsperson of the Year.
Other achievements recognised were Roll of Honour awards to Bruce Gichard (rowing), Barbara Saunders (rowing), Paul Kenny (squash), Grant McKinnon (rugby), Peter Wilson (rugby) and JB Phillips (rugby). A further surprise was when Hits sales manager Marty Lindsay, a former broadcaster of renown, presented Grant McKinnon with an award for 40 years of sports announcing on radio.
Five young Maori sportspeople collected a Tupoho Sports Scholarship - Tuhirangi Akapita (skiing, snowboarding), Leila Bailey-Blackburn (basketball), Joseph Edwards (rugby) and Daniel Kauika (rugby and waka ama).
Millie Manning (gymnastics) and Lily Meade (water skiing) each picked up a Future Champions Trust grant.