News
Zespri Bay of Plenty | Coromandel Awards of Excellence winners announced
Monday, 12 July 2021
July 12, 2021
Press Release
Zespri Bay of Plenty | Coromandel Awards of Excellence winners announced
Bay of Plenty & Coromandel Surf Life Saving clubs have marked a successful end to the Surf Lifeguarding season and year of achievements with their Awards of Excellence.
The awards acknowledge the work of the volunteers at surf lifesaving clubs at Hot Water Beach LGS, Tairua SLSC, Pauanui SLSC, Onemana SLSC, Whangamata SLSC, Whiritoa LGS, Waihi Beach LGS, Mt Maunganui LGS, Omanu Beach SLSC, Papamoa SLSC, Maketu SLSC, Pukehina SR, Whakatane SLSC & Opotiki SLSC.
Coromandel Volunteer Lifeguard of the Year winner - Phoebe Havill – Onemana SLSC (Primary) & Whangamata SLSC (Secondary)
Eastern Region Lifesaving manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell says the awards recognise the important contribution so many lifeguards make towards keeping our beaches safe.
“It is wonderful that we can recognise some of those who have made a particular contribution but it’s just as important to remember that supporting them are clubs full of volunteers who give up their time to keep the public safe, putting in a huge effort and patrolling over 40,000 hours”
“Our volunteer lifeguards completed 47 rescues, 351 first aid incidents, 15 searches, 155 patient assists and 58,640 people were involved in 8,654 preventative actions.
“Amongst numerous qualifications, Eastern Region was thrilled to qualify 100 new IRB crewmen and 45 new IRB drivers, which is a fantastic achievement,” Chaz says.
Among those being recognised at the Bay of Plenty | Coromandel Awards of Excellence is Tyler Nitschke from Omanu Beach Surf Life Saving Club. She has been named Volunteer Lifeguard of the year alongside Andrew McDowell from Pukehina. Tyler was also named as Instructor of the Year and Patrol Captain of the Year in recognition of her many contributions to the club. As an avid Patrol member, IRB Instructor and Lifeguard Instructor she displays respect to all clubbies while maintaining a professional and positive attitude.
One of Bay of Plenty's Volunteer Lifeguard of the year - Tyler Nitschke, Omanu Beach Surf Life Saving Club.
She has contributed to the Bay of Plenty Area as a Patrol Auditor and volunteered as a Probationary Examiner at a number of IRB and Surf Lifeguard Exams.
“Her time and effort does not go unnoticed and is hugely appreciated,” Chaz says.
Eastern Region Sports Manager Jackson Edwards says Lifesaving Sport in the Eastern Region had an awesome season with clubs competing well in all regional events and national events where applicable. Thank you to all the clubs, coaches officials and parents for their sacrifice over the season.
Zespri’s continued support has been invaluable, with over 600 training hours and a number of scholarships handed out which allowed Eastern Region members to attend National Lifeguard School, Intermediate Lifeguard School as well as BP Leaders for Life.
Omanu Beach SLSC and Pauanui SLSC took out the Zespri Overall Club of the Year for the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel, taking home $5,000 each towards rescue equipment.
Coromandel Club of the year - Pauanui SLSC
The Mount hosted the Eastern Regional Championships for another year and once again the weather and waves came to play making for some interesting, highly competitive racing. With COVID still hanging around we are thankful we got through all the Eastern Region events this season almost un-effected.
Jackson says the Eastern Region is also celebrating the success of the Mt Maunganui LGS’ Daniel Barron for his outstanding effort at the Australian titles back in April where he joined elite company becoming one of only seven kiwis to make the Open Ironman Final at the Aussie Titles. Daniel’s hard work and dedication to his craft has earnt him the International Performance of the Year award at last night’s Awards of Excellence.
Official of the year, Greg Rieger, was praised by Edwards for his forever inspiring passion and dedication to his role as an official this year.
“Greg has dedicated a lot of time to officiating this season, he’s passionate about officiating and has attended every Carnival that time has permitted.
“He has been mentoring and developing a number of upcoming officials which is a testament to his commitment to furthering Surf Life Saving Sport,” says Edwards.
U15 Female Sports Person of the Year winner Talitha McEwan from Mt Maunganui Lifeguard Service had an impressive year, showing skills in the water at National Pool and Eastern Region Pool Championships, dominating her age group and carrying on her hard work from the U14 age group into the senior ranks.
U17 Female Sports Person of the Year winner Lucy Bartlett also showed her aqua skills in the pool taking out a number of gold medals at the National Pool Rescue Championships held in Hamilton.
It’s been an unusual season with COVID dating back to last season’s nationals. But if one person could keep their squad on the straight and narrow, it was Coach of the Year, John ‘Spindles’ Bryant, someone who always has time for his competitive lifeguards no matter how busy he is.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s 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 awards culminate with the National Awards of Excellence which will be held on September 19 in Wellington.
Bay of Plenty Award winners
Zespri Bay of Plenty & Coromandel Awards of Excellence 2021 Winners
Rookie of the Year
Nicole Baker – Pukehina SR
Bay of Plenty Winners:
Patrol Support Person of the Year
Sue Stewart – Omanu Beach SLSC
Volunteer Lifeguard of the Year
Tyler Nitschke – Omanu Beach SLSC
Andrew McDowell – Pukehina Surf Rescue
U19 Emerging Volunteer Lifeguard of the Year
Harry Beattie – Papamoa SLSC
Heather Stuart – Omanu Beach SLSC
Patrol Captain of the Year
Tyler Nitschke - Omanu Beach SLSC
Instructor of the Year
Tyler Nitschke – Omanu Beach SLSC
Examiner of the Year
Boyd Harris – Pukehina Surf Rescue
Rescue of the Year
2nd January 2021 Rescue – Luca Dehmer - Pukehina Surf Rescue
Volunteer of the Year
Boyd Harris – Pukehina SR
Regional Lifeguard of the Year
Reuben Ronalds – Omanu Beach SLSC
Beach Education Instructor of the Year
Roisin Boyle – Omanu Beach SLSC
Coromandel Winners:
Patrol Support Person of the Year
Sharlene Manukau – Waihi Beach LGS
Volunteer Lifeguard of the Year
Phoebe Havill – Onemana SLSC (Primary) & Whangamata SLSC (Secondary)
U19 Emerging Volunteer Lifeguard of the Year
Matilda Garbett – Onemana SLSC
Patrol Captain of the Year
Ella Higgins – Waihi Beach LGS
Instructor of the Year
Phoebe Havill – Onemana SLSC (Primary) & Whangamata SLSC (Secondary)
Examiner of the Year
Phoebe Havill – Onemana SLSC (Primary) & Whangamata SLSC (Secondary)
Rescue of the Year
7th January 2021 Rescue - Stella Reid, Jessica Meade, Ella Higgins & Jack Sewell – Bowentown Regional Lifeguards
Volunteer of the Year
Sean Ridler – Tairua SLSC
Regional Lifeguard of the Year
Ella Higgins – Waihi Beach LGS
Beach Education Instructor of the Year
Tyler Ranger – Whangamata SLSC
Lifesaving Sport Awards – Bay of Plenty and Coromandel
Emerging Official of the Year
Radleigh Cairns – Papamoa SLSC
Official of the Year
Greg Rieger – Mt Maunganui LGS
Emerging Coach of the Year
Jack Bullock – Papamoa SLSC
Coach of the Year
John Bryant – Mt Maunganui LGS
Volunteer Coach of the Year
Ben Grant – Waihi Beach LGS
Sports Team of the Year
Mt Maunganui U17 Mens Pool Rescue Team - Tarquin Magner, Liam Shanahan, Zach Reeder & Ben Cosford
Sports Person of the Year
U14 Male
Finn Freemantle – Whangamata SLSC
U14 Female
Monique Bartlett – Omanu Beach SLSC
U15 Male
Thomas Richardson – Mt Maunganui LGS
U15 Female
Talitha McEwan – Mt Maunganui LGS
U17 Male
Kel Iggulden – Omanu Beach SLSC
U17 Female
Lucy Bartlett – Omanu Beach SLSC
U19 Male
Daniel Shanahan – Mt Maunganui LGS
U19 Female
Molly Shivnan – Omanu Beach SLSC
Open Male
Hamish Miller – Mt Maunganui LGS
Open Female
Madi Kidd – Whangamata SLSC
Masters Male
Russell Reardon – Mt Maunganui LGS
Master Female
Naomi Davoren – Papamoa SLSC
International – Individual
Daniel Barron – Mt Maunganui LGS
Regional Service Awards
James Bray – Waihi Beach LGS
Vivien Conway – Mt Maunganui LGS
Michelle Cossey – Whakatane SLSC
Chaz Gibbons-Campbell – Whiritoa LGS
Stephen Law – Papamoa SLSC
Catriona Manning – Whakatane SLSC
Hamish McKenzie – Opotiki SLSC
Joanne Miller – Papamoa SLSC
Tyler Nitschke – Omanu Beach SLSC
Lucy Scown – Waihi Beach LGS
Nathan Smith – Papamoa SLSC
Laurie Stubbing – Onemana SLSC
Andrew Taylor – Opotiki SLSC
Regional Distinguished Service Awards
Ailsa Cowdrey – Papamoa SLSC
Stephen Law – Papamoa SLSC
James Lloyd – Waihi Beach LGS
Shaun Smith – Papamoa SLSC
Sheryl McLay – Mt Maunganui LGS
Regional Life Member Awards
Ross Merrett – Papamoa SLSC
Allan Mundy – Omanu Beach SLSC
For more information please contact:
Talia Comp
BOP Club Development Officer
Phone 021 190 1727
Email: talia.comp@surflifesaving.org.nz
Poppy Crouch
CORO Club Development Officer
Phone 0275 377233
Email: poppy.crouch@surflifesaving.org.nz
Rajal Middleton
Head of Commercial & Marketing
Phone 027 457 1001
Email: Rajal.Middleton@surflifesaving.org.nz