News
Zespri Gisborne/Tairāwhiti Awards of Excellence Finalists Announced
Monday, 29 June 2020
A busy and successful season between the flags and at lifesaving sport competitions will be celebrated at the Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s Zespri Gisborne/Tairāwhiti Awards of Excellence.
The annual awards recognise volunteers who have gone above and beyond, who have dedicated many hours to their club, and have excelled in lifesaving sport.
Celebrations will take place at The Vines at Bushmere Estate, 166 Main Road, Makaraka, Gisborne on Saturday July 25.
The volunteer Surf Lifeguards come from Tolaga Bay, Ngāti Porou, Wainui, Waikanae and Midway Surf Life Saving Clubs.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand Eastern Region Lifesaving Manager Chaz Gibbons Campbell says it was a busy season for the volunteer Surf Lifeguards.
“There was some sizable swell to kick start the season which had lifeguards in and out of the water assisting and rescuing swimmers to safety, as well as many first aid related callouts.
“Lifeguards were kept busy interacting with members of the public to ensure that they were aware of the dangers and encouraging them to swim between the flags,” Chaz says.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand Eastern Region Sport Manager Mark Inglis says the Gisborne Clubs enjoyed a very successful lifesaving sport season.
“There were a number of our local athletes who achieved outstanding performances at the National event level, many of whom will be recognised at these local Awards of Excellence.”
Surf Life Saving NZ Awards of Excellence are held every year in each SLSNZ region to recognise and celebrate the many club members putting in considerable time, effort and skills at a grass-roots level to make sure Kiwis who head to the beach get home safe.
The regional awards culminate in the National Awards of Excellence which will be held on September 19.
Zespri Gisborne/Tairāwhiti Awards of Excellence 2020 finalists:
Frother Junior Lifeguard of the Year
Theo Weatherley – Wainui Surf Life Saving Club
Matahari Richards – Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club
Angus Blair – Midway Surf Life Saving Club
Innovation of the Year
Local Lifesaving Committee – SLA Academy
Wainui Surf Life Saving Club Patrol Roster
Volunteer of the Year
Kevin Weatherley – Wainui Surf Life Saving Club
Rodney Richards and Eric Clearwater – Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club
Rama Robertson – Midway Surf Life Saving Club
Sustainable Action of the Year
Wainui Surf Life Saving Club Dune Restoration
Lifesaving Awards
Patrol Support Person of the Year
Lee Jobson – Wainui Surf Life Saving Club
Anna Briant – Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club
Rama Robertson – Midway Surf Life Saving Club
Volunteer Lifeguard of the Year
Sonia Keepa – Wainui Surf Life Saving Club
Nigel Hope – Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club
Chris Niven – Midway Surf Life Saving Club
U19 Lifeguard of the Year
Luke Whibley – Wainui Surf Life Saving Club
Daniel Beattie – Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club
Katelyn Grimson – Midway Surf Life Saving Club
Patrol Captain of the Year
Luke Whibley – Wainui Surf Life Saving Club
Ana Naden – Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club
Mark Van Wijk – Midway Surf Life Saving Club
Instructor of the Year
Sonia Keepa – Wainui Surf Life Saving Club
Michelle Mitchell – Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club
Rama Robertson – Midway Surf Life Saving Club
Examiner of the Year
Michelle Mitchell – Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club
Jeremy Lockwood – Wainui Surf Life Saving Club
Lifesaving Sport Awards
Emerging Official of the Year
David Whitfield – Wainui Surf Life Saving Club
Kristina Williams – Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club
Official of the Year
Alistair Thorpe – Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club
Emerging Coach of the Year
Edan Wilson – Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club
Coach of the Year
Dion Williams – Wainui Surf Life Saving Club
Cory Hutchings – Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club
Volunteer Coach of the Year
Murray Robertson – Wainui Surf Life Saving Club
Arna Majstrovic – Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club
Sportsteam of the Year
Wainui Surf Life Saving Club – U16 Male Board Rescue (Jonty Evans, Jack Keepa)
Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club – u19 Board Relay team, Nathan Proctor, Clayden Hope, Lachie Falloon
Midway Surf Life Saving Club – U14 Board Rescue (Tyron Evand and Jack Leeper)
Sportsperson of the Year
U14 Male
Sam Briant – Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club
Tyron Evans – Midway Surf Life Saving Club
U14 Female
Jay Ryan-Emerre – Wainui Surf Life Saving Club
Riley Ingoe – Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club
Jodiesha Kirkpatrick – Midway Surf Life Saving Club
U16 Male
Jack Keepa – Wainui Surf Life Saving Club
Oska Smith – Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club
Angus Blair – Midway Surf Life Saving Club
U16 Female
Summer Rolston – Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club
Sasha Fergus – Midway Surf Life Saving Club
U19 Male
Noah Collier – Wainui Surf Life Saving Club
Seven Mapu – Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club
U19 Female
Ava Smith – Wainui Surf Life Saving Club
Briana Irving – Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club
Open Male
Alex Bristow – Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club
Cory Taylor – Midway Surf Life Saving Club
Open Female
Casie Fyall – Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club
Olivia Corrin – Midway Surf Life Saving Club
Masters Male
Bruce Gledhill – Wainui Surf Life Saving Club
Scott Pitkethley – Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club
Sam Gavin – Midway Surf Life Saving Club
Master Female
Sonia Keepa – Wainui Surf Life Saving Club
Debbie Hutchings – Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club
International – Individual
Briana Irving – Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club
Olivia Corrin – Midway Surf Life Saving Club
International - Team
Cory Taylor /Olivia Corrin – Midway Surf Life Saving Club
For more information please contact:
Chase Cahalane
Eastern Regional Manager
Phone: 021975565
Email: Chase.Cahalane@surflifesaving.org.nz
Sonia Keepa
Gis-Tairawhiti Club Development Officer
Phone: 021 928 301
Email: Sonia.Keepa@surflifesaving.org.nz