Champions of the Beach: Surf Life Saving New Zealand announces winners for the Bay of Plenty & Coromandel Awards of Excellence

Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) is proud to announce the winners of its Bay of Plenty and Coromandel Awards of Excellence for the 2022/23 season. These individuals have made significant contributions and demonstrated unwavering dedication to their roles within SLSNZ.

 

John Svendsen from Mt Maunganui Lifeguard Service (LS), took home a number of prestigious awards, including the Bay of Plenty Pacific Medicare Volunteer Lifeguard of the Year, iLine Construction Search and Rescue Team Member of the Year, and the Supreme Volunteer of the Year.

 

Despite joining the Surf Life Saving movement relatively recently, Svendsen has quickly ascended through the ranks and assumed various leadership roles within the club.  An example of his dedication was during one of the seasons biggest storm swells.  Svendsen worked tirelessly to lead his patrol, and made sure the clubhouse was kept safe.  He also went above and beyond by raising awareness among beachgoers about the risks imposed by the swell and beach surges.

 

Grant Davis-Calvert, Mt Maunganui LS Committee Member, said, “Jono’s energy, passion and leadership within Surf Lifesaving is infectious and he is a great role model for all.  Without passionate and driven members like Jono, Mt Maunganui LS and SLSNZ wouldn’t be the same.”

 

Jack Sewell, a member of the Onemana Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC), was honoured with the Coromandel Pacific Medicare Volunteer Lifeguard of the Year Award.  Within the club, he fulfils a number of roles, serving as Patrol Captain, Lifeguard Development Coordinator, and Head IRB Instructor and Examiner.  He’s also on the club’s Committee and Lifeguard Sub-Committee and plays an instrumental role in fundraising efforts.

 

During his patrols, Sewell is always enthusiastic and proactive.  Each season, he willingly takes on additional responsibilities, setting a good example for younger surf lifeguards and always offering assistance.

 

Phoebe Havill, Onemana SLSC Captain, said, “Jack continues to better himself through upskilling by saying yes to new opportunities and he encourages other surf lifeguards to do the same.  Jack is a great surf lifeguard for our SLSC and goes above and beyond in his duties.”

 

Nick McLeay from Onemana SLSC, took home the Coromandel Volunteer of the Year Award.  McLeay is the Club Chair and oversees the club’s management, spearheading its strategic direction, and continuously setting ambitious goals.  With unwavering commitment, he ensures the Club Committee operates seamlessly.

 

McLeay’s passion for Surf Life Saving extends beyond the club, as he actively seeks out new opportunities to support and develop its members.  One example of this was his role in organising the club’s inaugural Lifeguard Development Camp at the start of summer.  He also established the club’s first-ever winter inflatable rescue boat (IRB) training programme.

 

Havill said, “He is so encouraging and supportive of anything the surf lifeguards would like to achieve, and keeps our club so organised and tidy, always making sure we have the best equipment available. If ever we need a hand with anything, Nick is always ready to help. He even arranges for food and drinks to be available for our volunteers so they can have a BBQ on every patrol.”

 

Jayden Murphy from Mt Maunganui LS was recognised for his sports performances in the U19 Male Category, he also took out the International Sports Performance of the Year award.  

 

Sonia Keepa, Eastern Region Sport Manager, said, “Jayden works hard in everything that he does, he trains hard and is always pushing for excellence. Achieving Gold in the Under 19 Ski and Silver in the Ironman at the World Lifesaving Championships. Murphy has had a stunner of a season.”

Bruce Matheson from Omanu Beach SLSC won the Surf Official of the Year Award after serving as the referee for the Eastern Regional Championships, Eastern Region IRB Championships and the TSB New Zealand Surf Life Saving Championships.

 

Mark Weatherall, Omanu Beach SLSC Director of Sport, said, “Both events were hit by bad weather and Bruce was outstanding with his preparation and leadership during the events. His decision making was great and saw both events successfully delivered. We are very proud of Bruce and what he achieved,”

 

John Bryant from Mt Maunganui LS took home Coach of the Year.  As Head Coach of the club, he has achieved outstanding success over the past 12 months.  Notably, the club won its 10^th consecutive Allan Gardner Trophy at the TSB New Zealand Surf Life Saving Championships and won the New Zealand Pool Rescue Championships.

 

In addition to his club responsibilities, Bryant has been an ardent supporter of Surf Life Saving clubs across the country, offering guidance to other coaches and athletes.  His efforts have been instrumental in the development of Lifesaving Sport and fostering a positive sporting community.  He also has a keen eye for identifying areas of improvement and opportunity within the club.

 

Katrina Madill, Mount Maunganui Sport Committee Member and Board Member, said, “John is the backbone of our club and membership.  It is testament to him that we have had 20 years of fantastic members come through with an enormous range of success, on and off the beach.  There is no one with more experience, as hard working, or as selfless as John.”

 

Avan Polo, SLSNZ Eastern Region Manager, said, “These individuals represent the true spirit of SLSNZ, and their accomplishments inspire us all.  We would like to congratulate them on their well-deserved recognition and their contributions to SLSNZ.”

 

The Bay of Plenty and Coromandel Awards of Excellence brought together Surf Lifesaving Clubs from across the area, including Hot Water Beach LS, Tairua SLSC, Pauanui SLSC, Onemana SLSC, Whangamatā SLSC, Whiritoa LS, Waihi Beach LS, Mt Maunganui LS, Omanu Beach SLSC, Papamoa SLSC, Maketu SLSC, Pukehina SR, Whakatāne SLSC and Ōpotiki SLSC.

 

Winners of the Volunteer Lifeguard of the Year, Patrol Support Person of the Year, Instructor of the Year, Coach of the Year, Surf Official of the Year, and Volunteer of the Year will go forward as finalists at the SLSNZ National Awards of Excellence.  These will take place on 23 September at Te Papa in Wellington.

 

Full List of Winners:

 

Eastern Region

 

Rookie of the Year

Liam May – Waihi Beach LS

 

Bay of Plenty Lifesaving Awards:

 

Instructor of the Year

• Poppy Crouch – Omanu Beach SLSC

 

Examiner of the Year

• Boyd Harris – Pukehina SR

 

Beach Education Instructor of the Year

• Roisin Boyle – Omanu Beach SLSC

 

Paid Lifeguard of the Year

• Roisin Boyle – Omanu Beach SLSC
  
  

Patrol Captain of the Year

• Liam Shanahan – Mt Maunganui LS
  
  

Patrol Support Person of the Year

• Wade Meads – Maketu SLSC
  
  

iLine Construction - Search & Rescue Team Member of the Year

• John Svendsen – Mt Maunganui LS
  
  

Emerging U19 Volunteer Lifeguard of the Year

• Nicole Baker – Pukehina SR

Pacific Medicare - Volunteer Lifeguard of the Year

• John Svendsen – Mt Maunganui LS

 

Pacific Medicare – Patrol Club of the Year

• Maketu SLSC

 

Coromandel Lifesaving Awards:

 

Instructor of the Year

• Gabriella Hughes – Tairua SLSC

 

Examiner of the Year

• Spencer Raymond – Pauanui SLSC
• Georgia Eldridge – Waihi Beach LS

 

Beach Education Instructor of the Year

• Gabriella Hughes – Tairua SLSC

 

Paid Lifeguard of the Year

• Maggie Lowe – Whangamatā SLSC

 

Patrol Captain of the Year

• Rian Butler – Waihi Beach LS

 

Patrol Support Person of the Year

• Sharlene Manukau – Waihi Beach LS
  
  

Search & Rescue Team Member of the Year

• Sean Ridler – Tairua SLSC

 

Emerging U19 Volunteer Lifeguard of the Year

• Bella Muir – Tairua SLSC

 

Pacific Medicare - Volunteer Lifeguard of the Year

• Jack Sewell – Onemana SLSC

 

Pacific Medicare – Patrol Club of the Year

• Onemana SLSC

 

 

Sport Awards:

 

Coaches Commitment Award

• Damian Munro – Mt Maunganui LS
• Isobella Davoren – Papamoa SLSC

 

Emerging Coach of the Year

• Hunter Robinson – Whangamatā SLSC

 

Volunteer Coach of the Year

• Matthew Waide – Mt Maunganui LS

 

Coach of the Year

• John Bryant – Mt Maunganui LS

 

Emerging Surf Official of the Year

• Karen Bark – Mt Maunganui LS

 

Surf Official of the Year

• Bruce Matheson – Omanu Beach SLSC

 

 

Sports Team of the Year

• Whangamatā SLSC Surf Boat Crew - Sergio Schuler, Zane Sweetman, Joshua Nicholas, Taine Wilson, and Steve Pipe (Sweep)

 

International Individual Sports Performance of the Year

• Jayden Murphy - Mt Maunganui

 

International Team Sports Performance of the Year

• Mt Maunganui LS U17 Female Board Rescue Team – Olivia Marshall, Talitha McEwan

 

U14 Female Sports Person of the Year

• Lola Lowry – Mt Maunganui LS

 

U14 Male Sports Person of the Year

• Finn Freemantle – Whangamatā SLSC

 

U15 Female Sports Person of the Year

• Amelie Pearson – Papamoa SLSC

 

U15 Male Sports Person of the Year

• Edward Webb – Mt Maunganui LS

 

U17 Female Sports Person of the Year

• Talitha McEwan – Mt Maunganui LS
  
  

U17 Male Sports Person of the Year

• Braith Swanberg – Omanu Beach SLSC
  
  

U19 Female Sports Person of the Year

• Pippa Nicol – Mt Maunganui LS

 

U19 Male Sports Person of the Year

• Jayden Murphy – Mt Maunganui LS

 

Open Female Sports Person of the Year

• Molly Shivnan – Omanu Beach SLSC

 

Open Male Sports Person of the Year

• Hamish Miller – Mt Maunganui LS

 

Masters Female Sports Person of the Year

• Naomi Davoren – Papamoa SLSC

 

Masters Male Sports Person of the Year

• Damian Munro – Mt Maunganui LS

 

Supreme Awards:

 

Sustainable Action of the Year

• Pukehina SR

 

Bay of Plenty Volunteer of the Year

• John Svendsen – Mt Maunganui LS

 

Coromandel Volunteer of the Year

• Nick McLeay – Onemana SLSC

 

Bay of Plenty Overall Club of the Year

• Papamoa SLSC

 

Coromandel Overall Club of the Year

• Waihi Beach LS

 

Regional Service Awards

• Greg Akroyd
• Roisin Boyle
• Chase Cahalane
• Andrew Hitchfield
• Max Jones
• Thomas Lowe
• Jim Pearson
• Kim Saunders
• Jack Sewell
• Kathryn Stewart
• Betsie Warner

 

Regional Distinguished Service Awards

• Haven Bellamy
• Sandra Boubee
• Chase Cahalane
• Naomi Davoren
• Max Jones
• Joanne Miller
• Tyler Nitschke
• Spencer Raymond

Regional Life Membership Awards

• John Bryant
• Sheryl McLay
• Dennis Mundy
• Hamish Reid