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SLSNZ Announces Winners of the Tairāwhiti Gisborne Awards of Excellence
Saturday, 15 June 2024Surf 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 |
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Matthew Sutton |
Midway |
David Corrin |
Midway |
Jared Phelps |
Midway |
Miah Phelps |
Midway |
DHL Surf Lifeguard of the Year |
|
Ana Naden |
Waikanae |
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DHL U19 Surf Lifeguard of the Year |
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Theo Weatherley |
Wainui |
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DHL Patrol Support Person of the Year |
|
Sue Quilter |
Wainui |
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bp Powercraft Contribution of the Year |
|
Nigel Hope |
Waikanae |
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bp Search and Rescue Contribution of the Year |
|
Adam Glenister |
Wainui |
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Coach of the Year |
|
Jack Gavin |
Midway |
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Surf Sports Official of the Year |
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Miah Phelps |
Midway |
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Surf Sportsperson of the Year |
|
Olivia Corrin |
Midway |
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Surf Sports Team of the Year |
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Midway U19 Male Team Jack Lepper, Tyron Evans, Angus Blair |
Midway |
Event Safety Contribution of the Year |
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Connor Mitchell |
Waikanae |
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Junior Surf Contribution of the Year |
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Edan Wilson |
Waikanae |
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Instructor of the Year |
|
Rodney Richards |
Waikanae |
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NZ Lottery Grants Board Volunteer of Year |
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Ana Naden |
Waikanae |
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Patrol Captain of the Year |
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Kristina Williams |
Waikanae |
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Emerging Surf Official of the Year |
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Rodney Richards |
Waikanae |
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Volunteer Coach of the Year |
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Connor Mitchell |
Waikanae |
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Emerging Coach of the Year |
|
Jack Keepa |
Wainui |
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Coaches Commitment Award |
|
Emily Petro |
Midway |
Max Phillips |
Waikanae |
Betsy Findlay |
Wainui |
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Paid Lifeguard of the Year |
|
Theo Weatherley |
Wainui |
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Beach Education Instructor of the Year |
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John Minogue |
Wainui |
Patrol Club of the Year |
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Wainui Surf Life Saving Club |
Wainui |
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Athlete of the Year |
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U14 Male |
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Rori Fukushima-Hall |
Wainui |
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U14 Female |
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Lilla Hain |
Midway |
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U15 Male |
|
Mako Fukushima-Hall |
Wainui |
|
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U15 Female |
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Georgie Beaufoy |
Waikanae |
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U17 Male |
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Yahni Brown |
Midway |
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U17 Female |
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Ella Sutton |
Midway |
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U19 Male |
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Angus Blair |
Midway |
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U19 Female |
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Sophie Petro |
Midway |
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Open Male |
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Oska Smith |
Waikanae |
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Open Female |
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Olivia Corrin |
Midway |
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Masters Male |
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Adam Tate |
Waikanae |
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Masters Female |
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Belinda Slement |
Wainui |
Club of the Year |
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Midway Surf Life Saving Club |
Midway |