Champions of the Beach: Surf Life Saving New Zealand announces finalists for the Gisborne-Tairāwhiti Awards of Excellence

The finalists for Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s (SLSNZ) Gisborne-Tairāwhiti Awards of Excellence have been announced.

 

These awards recognise and celebrate the hard work, skills, and dedication that go into surf lifeguarding, education, administration, and lifesaving sports throughout the 2022/23 season.

 

Avan Polo, SLSNZ Eastern Region Manager, said, “It was an extremely challenging season for our Gisborne-Tairāwhiti clubs.  They were faced with a number of adverse weather events that caused significant flooding throughout the area and large amounts of beach debris washed up, forcing the closure of many beaches throughout the busy summer period. This put a lot of pressure on our volunteers, as they had to not only look after their own friends and whanau but also their local communities.

 

He adds “Our volunteers have shown tremendous strength in the face of these adversities, and it’s been truly humbling to see everyone pull through and support each other.”

 

The SLSNZ Gisborne-Tairāwhiti Awards of Excellence will recognise the top surf lifeguards and club members from Ūawa Tiaki Tai-Tolaga Bay Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC), Wainui SLSC, Waikanae SLSC, Midway SLSC and Ngāti Porou SLSC.

 

The awards will be held at the Wainui SLSC on June 9^th.

 

 

Full List of Finalists:

 

Lifesaving Awards:

 

Frother of the Year

• Else Pauwels – Wainui SLSC
• Sierra Blumfield – Waikanae SLSC
• Lilla Hain – Midway SLSC
• Posey Willock – Midway SLSC

 

Instructor of the Year

• Belinda Slement – Wainui SLSC
• Rodney Richards – Waikanae SLSC
• Rama Robertson – Midway SLSC

 

Examiner of the Year

• Belinda Slement – Wainui SLSC
• Michelle Mitchell – Waikanae SLSC
• Rama Robertson – Midway SLSC

 

Beach Ed Instructor of the Year

• Ian Procter - Wainui SLSC

 

Paid Lifeguard of the Year

• Boyd Harris – Pukehina Surf Rescue
• Luke Seufert – Ōpōtiki SLSC
• Thomas Dodds – Ōpōtiki SLSC

 

Patrol Captain of the Year

• Lyall Evans – Wainui SLSC
• Nigel Hope – Waikanae SLSC
• Rama Robertson – Midway SLSC

 

Patrol Support Person of the Year

• Jo Whibley – Wainui SLSC
• Anna Briant – Waikanae SLSC
• Glenn Hamblyn – Midway SLSC

 

Emerging U19 Volunteer Lifeguard of the Year

• Theo Weatherley – Wainui SLSC
• Freya Wilson – Waikanae SLSC
• Jacqueline Kennedy – Midway SLSC

 

Volunteer Lifeguard of the Year

• Ruby Lobb – Wainui SLSC
• Ana Naden – Waikanae SLSC
• Oliver Scammell – Midway SLSC

 

 

Sport Awards:

 

Coaches Commitment Award

• Charlotte Alexander – Wainui SLSC
• Lachie Falloon – Waikanae SLSC
• Jacob Corrin – Midway SLSC

 

Emerging Coach of the Year

• Hannah King – Wainui SLSC
• Kimberley Hayes – Waikanae SLSC

 

Volunteer Coach of the Year

• Chris Tilghman – Wainui SLSC
• Michelle Mitchell – Waikanae SLSC
• Jared Phelps – Midway SLSC

 

Coach of the Year

• Dion Williams – Wainui SLSC
• Arna Majstrovic – Waikanae SLSC
• Cory Hutchings – Waikanae SLSC
• Jack Gavin – Midway SLSC

 

Emerging Surf Official of the Year

• Rodney Richards – Waikanae SLSC
• Rachael Matthews – Midway SLSC

 

Surf Official of the Year

• Dion Williams – Wainui SLSC
• Eric Clearwater – Waikanae SLSC
• Miah Phelps – Midway SLSC

 

Sports Team of the Year

• Waikanae U19 Male Board Relay Team - Jack Keepa, Jonty Evans & Lachie Falloon
• Midway U17 Male Board Relay Team - Jack Lepper, Tyron Evans & Yahni Brown

 

International Individual Sports Performance of the Year

• Oska Smith – Waikanae SLSC
• Chris Dawson – Midway SLSC
• Cory Taylor – Midway SLSC
• Olivia Corrin – Midway SLSC

 

International Team Sports Performance of the Year

• NZ Black Fins Open – Chris Dawson & Cory Taylor
• U19 Male NZ Black Fins Youth – Jack Keepa, Lachie Falloon & Oska Smith

 

U14 Female Sports Person of the Year

• Tillie King – Wainui SLSC
• Georgie Beaufoy – Waikanae SLSC
• Gabrielle Searle – Midway SLSC

 

U14 Male Sports Person of the Year

• Mako Fukushima-Hall – Wainui SLSC
• Riley Knight – Midway SLSC

 

U15 Female Sports Person of the Year

• Sierra Blumfield – Waikanae SLSC
• Ella Sutton – Midway SLSC
• Jacqueline Kennedy – Midway SLSC

 

U15 Male Sports Person of the Year

• Taran Wilson – Waikanae SLSC
• Harry Hayward – Midway SLSC

 

U17 Female Sports Person of the Year

• Chloe Kapene – Waikanae SLSC
• Alice Sparks – Midway SLSC
• Sophie Petro – Midway SLSC

 

U17 Male Sports Person of the Year

• Max Phillips – Waikanae SLSC
• Jack Lepper – Midway SLSC
• Tyron Evans – Midway SLSC
• Yahni Brown – Midway SLSC

 

U19 Female Sports Person of the Year

• Summer Rolston – Waikanae SLSC
• Jessikah Fearnley – Midway SLSC

 

U19 Male Sports Person of the Year

• Lachie Falloon – Waikanae SLSC
• Angus Blair – Midway SLSC

 

Open Female Sports Person of the Year

• Briana Irving – Waikanae SLSC
• Olivia Corrin – Midway SLSC

 

Open Male Sports Person of the Year

• Oska Smith – Waikanae SLSC
• Chris Dawson – Midway SLSC
• Cory Taylor – Midway SLSC

 

 

Supreme Awards:

 

Volunteer of the Year

• Adam Glenister – Wainui SLSC
• Glenn Knight – Midway SLSC
• Sam Gavin – Midway SLSC

 

Event Details:

 

Date:          Friday 9^th June 2023

Venue:       Wainui Surf Lifesaving Club

Time:         5.00pm doors open/mix and mingle, 6pm presentation begins

Format:      Presentation of Lifesaving, Sports & Supreme Awards

Price:         $65 GST incl per person.

Dress:        A day at the races! - Semi-Formal

Tickets:      Tickets are available via your club administrator OR via our Google form until Tuesday 6^th June 2023.

 

For more information please contact your club administrator or the awards team – eastern.region@surflifesaving.org.nz