Jayson Woods has taken out the title of Sportsperson of the Year at Sport Waikato’s Waikato District Sports Awards held on Wednesday 21st November at Waahi Paa Marae, Huntly. Competing in the Under 105kg division, Jayson placed 1st in New Zealand and 2nd in Australia and has had many top three finishes in regional events, as well as placing 10th in the Strongman Champions League in Finland.
Karate’s Lucas McKinnon picked up the Coach of the Year award for his impressive coaching record. Many of his students – both adults and juniors - hold or have held national titles, and he has also coached Waikato and Australian teams.
Lucas is a coach at the Rahui Pokeka Kyokushin Karate who were also this year’s winner of the Club of the Year award. The club has recently expanded into Te Kauwhata and Ngaruawahia, and with three high ranking instructors operating the club, students have become regional, national and international champions, including World and Australian titles.
Sport Waikato’s Waikato and North Waikato District Coordinators Fiona Devonshire and Jason Marconi were very pleased with the high calibre of nominations, finalists and winners this year.
“We have some really amazing talent in the Waikato district, and it’s evident that the determination from all our sportspeople is really paying off. And of course those sportspeople could not do what they do without the fantastic support of the many talented coaches, administrators, officials and supporters,” Devonshire said.
Eligible winners and judge’s recommendations are now considered for the Brian Perry Waikato Regional Sports Awards on Thursday 31st January 2019 at Claudelands Conference and Event Centre, Hamilton.
2018 winners:
Service to Sport: Rob Beverland, Rosemary Fletcher, Ray Smith, Bronwyn Watson, Hau Wirihana, Pat Wootton
Administrator of the Year: Rodica Barton-Wellington
Official of the Year: Wirihana Wilson
Coach of the Year: Lucas McKinnon
Team of the Year: J16s Girls Rahui Pokeka Waka Sports Team Manawaroa
Club of the Year: Rahui Pokeka Kyokushin Karate Club
Secondary School Sportsperson of the Year: Caleb Cutmore
Secondary School Contribution to Sport: Hemiona Nuku
Emerging Talent: Emily Ussher
Sportsperson of the Year: Jayson Woods
Sporting Personality of the Year: Margaret McCarrick
The North Waikato Secondary School Sporting Shield: Huntly College
Summary of winners:
Administrator of the Year: Rodica Barton-Wellington, Ngaruawahia Squash Club
In October 2016 Rodica decided to support Ngaruawahia Squash Club in an effort to reinvigorate the club at a time when it was at its lowest ebb. Being the third generation of her family to go through the club, she decided to call a meeting and offer to lead the club as president, calling for support from current and past members. With twelve volunteers Rodica has transformed the club into a successful community asset, and with her strong leadership abilities, Rodica was able to create a vision for the club and a cause for the locals to embrace, resulting in a promising new era for Ngaruawahia Squash.
Team of the Year: J16s Girls Rahui Pokeka Waka Sports Team Manawaroa – Waka Ama
Team Manawaroa were recognised as having potential since they were seven years old when they won their first gold medals in the midget grade at National level. Working through the grades and with the vision of competing in Worlds 2018, this team successfully maintained a strong, competitive ethic. They have trained during the off season through the cold winter mornings but these girls would wake at 5.30am every morning to create a strong mindset for elite paddling.
To give back to their community, Team Manawaroa will now go on to help support the younger junior paddlers with the 2019 National season. They have committed to helping waka sports in coaching, events and other programmes that will be run in the community. This is their koha for all the support, sponsorship and koha that they received throughout their campaign from their families, marae, schools and community whanau.
Sportsperson of the Year: Jayson Woods – Strongest Man
Whether its pulling 9-ton trucks by hand or lifting a 126 kg log above his head, Jayson is a strong man in every sense of the word. Competing in the under 105 kg division Jayson has placed 1st in New Zealand and 2nd in Australia and has many top 3 finishes in regional events. Through Jayson’s dedication and commitment to his sport he was invited to the Strongman Champions League in Finland where he placed 10th in an international field.
Secondary Student Contribution to Sport: Hemiona Nuku - Te Wharekura o Rakaumangamanga
Hemiona is a popular and well-respected sports advocate within the Rakaumanga school environment and wider community. He is always willing to lend a hand and get involved with all things sport, and is a referee for both basketball and touch. With important messages of fair play and respect, Hemiona is a positive role model and leader in Huntly.
Official of the Year: Wirihana Wilson – Netball
This year Wirihana attended his first U19 National Tournament in Tauranga which is an invitation only tournament for umpires who are on the pathway to progressing to an elite level within the next three to five years. This tournament provides umpires the opportunity to officiate high skilled netball players from the Beko National Championship which sits under ANZ Premiership. He was appointed to the reserve final which is a great achievement for a first time umpire at U19. Through his determination, humility and persistent attitude, Wirihana is a role model for aspiring umpires at our netball centre.
Coach of the Year: Lucas McKinnon - Rahui Pokeka Kyokushin Karate Club
Born into a family of Kyokushin Karate enthusiasts, Lucas has won many Australian and New Zealand titles, experiences which have helped him to become an extremely effective coach across all the age groups. Many of his students – both adults and juniors - hold or have held national titles. He has also coached Waikato and Australian teams. Outside the ring, Lucas shares his knowledge and skills through the fitness programmes he runs which are based on the art of Kyokushin.
Club of the Year: Rahui Pokeka Kyokushin Karate
Having started as a small club 26 years ago, Rahui Pokeka now has over 90 members. Having recently expanded operations into Te Kauwhata and Ngaruawahia, the club has strong values based on respect and the importance of family resulting in a healthy relationship between instructors, members and parents. Fundraising, volunteering and community support are easily achieved by the club because of this culture. With three high ranking instructors operating the club, students have become regional, national and international champions including World and Australian titles.
Secondary Sportsperson of the Year: Caleb Cutmore – Raglan Area School
Caleb is a talented surfer who is placed 1st in the Surfing NZ U18 boys’ ratings and has been selected for the New Zealand U18 surfing team for 2018. He has won many events this year in both U17 and U18 age groups including a first in the U20s and U18s at the Duke Festival of Surf in Christchurch. He also defended his gromsearch U17s title and with it qualified for the international gromsearch final where he came 5th in an international field.
Emerging Talent: Emily Ussher – Netball
Emily is a dedicated and passionate netballer and is blessed with natural skills. She works hard at her game and is starting to see the benefits, having been rewarded with a place in the Waikato Beko squad in 2018, as well as the U19 Eastern Waikato and University Premier teams. Emily is named in the 2019 Beko training squad for next season as well.
Sporting Personality of the Year: Margaret McCarrick – Kuk Sool Won of Onewhero
Margaret was a late starter at Kuk Sool Won martial arts but that hasn’t stopped her from impressing her Senior Masters. Winner of the club’s Martial Arts Spirit Award, Student of the Year and Ambassador Awards is testimony to how dedicated Margaret is to her training. She has attained the rank of Dahn Bo Nim, or black belt candidate, and is a true inspiration to the younger students - which is the entire club as Margaret is 75 years young! Margaret performs skills considered near impossible for her age.
Service to Sport: Rob Beverland, Rugby Union
Having served diligently in many different committee roles for the past 40 years at Huntly Old Boys Rugby Club, Rob has finally decided to call it a day, retiring from his current role as club treasurer. Rob played a pivotal role with the reinstatement of the senior team which had been absent from competition for over half a decade. A great servant and appreciated by all at the club. senior team which had been absent from competition for over half a decade. A great servant and appreciated by all at the club.
Service to Sport: Rosemary Fletcher, Squash
As an accomplished squash player in her own right, it is Rosemary’s ability to share her knowledge, skills and enthusiasm with the next generation that really stands her apart. Having been involved with the club committee for so long she is now considered the club’s historian, Rosemary has covered many of the club’s roles, and has also worked with local secondary schools to develop their squash programmes. She is a life member and outstanding contributor to the club.
Service to Sport: Ray Smith, Rugby Union
As a stalwart of the Tuakau sports scene since 1980, Ray has coached, played and governed junior, senior and golden oldies rugby. He was the 1st XV coach for Tuakau College, culminating in a tour of India in 2005. Ray was heavily involved with the Tuakau Swimming Club for many years and has just recently retired from being independent chairman for the Tuakau Combined Sports Society. Ray’s voluntary contribution to sport is held in the highest regard by his community.
Service to Sport: Bronwyn Watson, Rugby Union
Bronwyn has been involved with the Tuakau Rugby Club since 1986 when her children became involved as junior players. She has volunteered in nearly every role from cleaner to President and is still manager of the bar to this day. Bronwyn was integral in the formation of the Tuakau Combined Sports Society and is their current Secretary, as well as coordinating local youth group activities for the past 20 years. Committing all her spare time to local causes ensured Bronwyn has become a true community asset.
Service to Sport: Hau Wirihana, Rugby League
Hau has been involved in rugby league for over 40 years. His passion and commitment have seen him dedicate many hours to the game. Hau started out as a team manager for the local Taniwharau Club back in the 1970’s. Hau led the Taniwharau Schoolboys as President and furthermore went on to Chair the Waikato Schoolboys Board. Hau has recently been nominated as a life member of the club in recognition of his outstanding contribution to sport.
Service to Sport: Pat Wootton, Golf
Having served on countless committees and being a strong advocate for all things local, Pat had an integral role in building the Onewhero golf clubhouse with his ability to pull people together for the common cause. As a life member and patron of the club, Pat continues to support Onewhero and is always a positive influence. After many years of service to his local community, Pat has recently retired at the grand age of 90.
Winner's Photos
All Photos