Youth celebrate sport talent

WINNING TURNS: Danny Jonas (left) and rower Jackie Gowler at last year's awards. PHOTOS/SUPPLIED

THE date is set for the annual Wanganui Secondary School Sports Awards and organiser Sport Whanganui is delighted that Dub.Dee.See. Youth Committee has this year come onboard as an event partner.

The awards are held in term four each year to celebrate the sporting achievements of secondary schools across the Whanganui, Rangitikei and Ruapehu districts. This year's awards are being held from 5.15pm-8pm on Wednesday, October 28 in the Wanganui Girls' College hall.

Sport Whanganui has received about 70 nominations across the 10 categories available and members of the public are welcome to attend. Guests will be treated to drinks and nibbles, and a talk by guest speaker former Silver Ferns player Joline Henry.

Sport Whanganui chief executive Danny Jonas says: "We're delighted to partner with Dub.Dee.See. Youth Committee to deliver this event. This is a great example of 'youth supporting youth' and will provide an excellent opportunity for our region's young sports achievers to be recognised among their peers."

Dub.Dee.See. Youth Committee councillor Renee Harrison says: "We felt as a committee that this was a perfect opportunity to support our region's young sporting talent.

"It's extremely important to the young people who sit around the council table as representatives of our region's rangatahi to be able to acknowledge all of the nominees and winners who are achieving at a high level on the sporting stage."

Sport Whanganui's regional sport director Clare Lynch says: "The awards are a great way to recognise our region's young people as athletes, coaches and volunteers. It's going to be a fantastic night and, as well as having a new event partner, we're very excited to have Joline come along as this year's guest speaker."

The awards night will kick off at 5.15pm with drinks and nibbles and the ceremony will start at 6pm.

Tickets are $5 each for the general public and $3 for nominees and their coaches. They can be purchased at the Sport Whanganui office, 40 Maria Place Extension.

Sport Whanganui is a charitable trust working to develop, build and promote sport in the Whanganui, Rangitikei and Ruapehu districts.

Dub.Dee.See. Youth Committee is made up of 18 young people selected to "speak up and be heard" on all issues on behalf of youth in the Whanganui district. This role is recognised by the council, which ensures the voice of the committee is heard and able to influence the council's decision-making.