News

SLSNZ Announces Winners of the Tairāwhiti Gisborne Awards of Excellence

Saturday, 15 June 2024

Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) is proud to announce the winners of the Tairāwhiti Gisborne Awards of Excellence.

 

Held on 14 June at the Midway Surf Life Saving Club in Gisborne, the awards acknowledged the incredible skills, commitment, and effort by surf lifeguards, as well as those who educated others, managed administration, and participated in lifesaving sport throughout the 2023/2024 season.

 

Avan Polo, SLSNZ Eastern Regional Manager, said, “It was a fantastic night celebrating Surf Life Saving in the region and all the incredible volunteers that make it work. A big congratulations to the all the winners who are truly inspiring in their own unique ways.

 

“I’d also like to acknowledge all of those who didn’t win but still played an important role during the 2023/2024 season.  The summer months, especially the New Year period, were busy for clubs in the Tairāwhiti Gisborne region, and it required the collective effort of everyone to ensure beachgoers remained safe.”

 

This year, Ana Naden from Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club won the DHL Surf Lifeguard of the Year Award.

 

Clara Wilson, Waikanae SLSC Club Manager, said, “Ana is a standout surf lifeguard who consistently goes above and beyond for her club.  She provides the best possible service to the community and is committed to improving the standard of our service by mentoring younger members and role modelling high standards to the rest of the team.”

 

Naden also went on to win the NZ Lottery Grants Board Volunteer of the Year Award.

 

Wilson added, “Ana has been a major contributor to the club this year, including patrol captain, management committee member, assistant coach, and surf official.  All tasks she approaches with the same passion and commitment, with the club’s best interests at heart.  She is blue and gold through and through, and we are very lucky to have her!”

 

Jack Gavin from Midway SLSC won Coach of the Year.  Along with being a coach, he is also a surf lifeguard and patrol captain.

 

Jared Phelps, Midway SLSC Coach, said, “Jack has exceptional leadership skills and unwavering dedication to our team’s success.  Under his guidance, our team has not only developed their skills but also fostered a strong sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship.  His innovative coaching techniques have also propelled our team to numerous victories, including second place overall at the 2024 Nationals.”

 

Phelps noted that Gavin also put a lot of effort into recruiting and retaining surf lifeguards: “Gisborne’s population and isolation mean it is difficult for clubs to retain athletes as they prepare to leave school and enter study or the workforce.  Jack has identified this as a challenge and has implemented a system where the club encourages athletes to set goals both in and outside of Surf Life Saving but remain well connected to our club as they look for opportunities outside of Gisborne.”

 

The Tairāwhiti Gisborne Awards of Excellence brought together Surf Life Saving clubs including Ūawa Tiaki Tai-Tolaga Bay, Wainui, Waikanae, Midway, and Ngāti Porou. 

 

 

Full list of winners:

 

Regional Service Award

 

Matthew Sutton

Midway

David Corrin

Midway

Jared Phelps

Midway

Miah Phelps

Midway

   

DHL Surf Lifeguard of the Year

 

Ana Naden

Waikanae

 

 

DHL U19 Surf Lifeguard of the Year

 

Theo Weatherley

Wainui

 

 

DHL Patrol Support Person of the Year

 

Sue Quilter

Wainui

 

 

bp Powercraft Contribution of the Year

 

Nigel Hope

Waikanae

 

 

bp Search and Rescue Contribution of the Year

 

Adam Glenister

Wainui

 

 

Coach of the Year

 

Jack Gavin

Midway

 

 

Surf Sports Official of the Year

 

Miah Phelps

Midway

 

 

Surf Sportsperson of the Year

 

Olivia Corrin

Midway

 

 

Surf Sports Team of the Year

 

Midway U19 Male Team

Jack Lepper, Tyron Evans, Angus Blair

Midway

   

Event Safety Contribution of the Year

 

Connor Mitchell

Waikanae

 

 

Junior Surf Contribution of the Year

 

Edan Wilson

Waikanae

 

 

Instructor of the Year

 

Rodney Richards

Waikanae

 

 

NZ Lottery Grants Board Volunteer of Year

 

Ana Naden

Waikanae

 

 

Patrol Captain of the Year

 

Kristina Williams

Waikanae

 

 

Emerging Surf Official of the Year

 

Rodney Richards

Waikanae

 

 

Volunteer Coach of the Year

 

Connor Mitchell

Waikanae

 

 

Emerging Coach of the Year

 

Jack Keepa

Wainui

 

 

Coaches Commitment Award

 

Emily Petro

Midway

Max Phillips

Waikanae

Betsy Findlay

Wainui

 

 

Paid Lifeguard of the Year

 

Theo Weatherley

Wainui

 

 

Beach Education Instructor of the Year

 

John Minogue

Wainui

   

Patrol Club of the Year

 

Wainui Surf Life Saving Club

Wainui

 

 

Athlete of the Year

 

U14 Male

 

Rori Fukushima-Hall

Wainui

 

 

U14 Female

 

Lilla Hain

Midway

 

 

U15 Male

 

Mako Fukushima-Hall

Wainui

 

 

U15 Female

 

Georgie Beaufoy

Waikanae

 

 

U17 Male

 

Yahni Brown

Midway

 

 

U17 Female

 

Ella Sutton

Midway

 

 

U19 Male

 

Angus Blair

Midway

 

 

U19 Female

 

Sophie Petro

Midway

 

 

Open Male

 

Oska Smith

Waikanae

 

 

Open Female

 

Olivia Corrin

Midway

 

 

Masters Male

 

Adam Tate

Waikanae

 

 

Masters Female

 

Belinda Slement

Wainui

   

Club of the Year

 

Midway Surf Life Saving Club

Midway