News
Capital Coast Awards of Excellence Winners Announced
Tuesday, 1 June 2021May 27, 2021
Press Release
Capital Coast Awards of Excellence winners announced
Dedicated volunteer Surf Lifeguards, coaches, instructors, and athletes have been celebrated at the Surf Life Saving NZ’s Capital Coast Awards of Excellence.
The awards honour the volunteers who have devoted numerous hours to keeping our beaches and people safe and lifesaving sport athletes who have shone in competition.
Volunteers from Surf Life Saving Clubs at Palmerston North, Riversdale, Foxton, Levin/Waitarere, Otaki, Paekakariki, Titahi Bay, Maranui, Lyall Bay and Worser Bay make up the Capital Coast region.
Central Region Sports Manager Troy Greenem says this season has been the “penultimate test” for their membership.
“We have dealt with the uncertainty of COVID – 19, battled a summer that has had numerous ups and downs and now continue to navigate through the decreasing number of people volunteering in New Zealand.”
Despite the challenges, Troy is proud of his community of clubs and lifeguards alike, stating that their resilience and selfless service are values that all other organisations should strive for.
This season, the Capital Coast lifeguards completed 11 rescues, 8 searches, 47 first aid incidents, 20 patient assists and 26,299 people were involved in 3,667 preventative actions.
“As we are primarily a lifesaving entity, we come together to congratulate those who have gone above and beyond for the movement, such as Lifeguard & Surf Lifesaving Club of the year. We also acknowledge our key volunteers as well honouring those who have provided numerous years of service,” say Troy Greenem.
Callum McKenzie, 22, from the Foxton Surf Life Saving Club was named Lifeguard of the Year for the second time in a row.
As Patrol Captain, Head IRB Instructor, Lifeguard Instructor and Head of First Aid he displays respect to all clubbies while maintaining a professional and positive attitude.
He has contributed to Capital Coast as a Patrol Auditor and volunteered as an Event Guard at regional and national events.
Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Jane Tiley, who has been a constant presence around the Riversdale Surf Life Saving Club for 10 years.This season, Jane has gone above and beyond her station to service her community. As one of the club captains, she has developed a safe space for the membership of Riversdale.
Jane Tiley has been awarded Volunteer of the Year at this year’s Surf Life Saving New Zealand Capital Coast Awards of Excellence.
As well as patrolling as a lifeguard, Jane is one of two first responders for the Riversdale emergency call out squad. She brings a friendly and approachable nature to the nippers and lifeguarding space and her contributions to club morale and development of the young tamariki is unmeasurable.
Part of this year’s major awards also covers all aspects of Surf Lifesaving Sport to celebrate the officials, coaches and high performance athletes.
U19 Sportsperson of the Year is Che Pulepule from Maranui Surf Lifesaving Club.
“All members who have taken time to put on the ‘red & yellows’ are the true champions in our movement, as without the work of many, we would not be able to celebrate the success of a few,” Troy Greenem says.
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 will be held on May 28 and precede the National Awards of Excellence which will be held at a later date.
Capital Coast Awards of Excellence 2021 Winners
U19 Lifeguard of the Year
Mac Van Den Heuvel - Titahi Bay Surf Life Saving Club
Lifeguard of the Year
Callum McKenzie – Foxton Surf Life Saving Club
Instructor of the Year
Mike Taylor - Riversdale Surf Life Saving Club
Sportsperson of the Year
Neo-Tama Hargreaves - Maranui Surf Life Saving Club
U19 Sportsperson of the Year
Che Pulepule - Maranui Surf Lifesaving Club
Sports Team of the Year
Paekakariki Open Male IRB Team - Paekakariki Surf Life Saving Club
Coach of the Year
Rhys Speirs - Maranui Surf Lifesaving Club
Surf Official of the Year
Teri Anderson - Paekakariki Surf Life Saving Club
Volunteer of the Year
Jane Tiley - Riversdale Surf Life Saving Club
Innovation of the Year
Titahi Bay / Deborah Donkin - Titahi Bay Surf Life Saving Club
For more information please contact:
Charlie Cordwell
Central Regional Manager
Phone: 027 557 1015
Email: Charlie.Cordwell@surflifesaving.org.nz
Rajal Middleton
Head of Commercial & Marketing
Phone 027 457 1001
Email: Rajal.Middleton@surflifesaving.org.nz