Jim McMurray was named Sportsperson of the Year at Thursday night’s Mercury South Waikato District Sports Awards. McMurray came first at the UCI World Champs Time Trial and was crowned Masters World Champion.
Elias Scheres was named Coach of the Year for the outstanding achievements coaching netball, including teaching the players to be mentally prepared before, during and after their games, resulting in smarter players being one step ahead of their opposition.
Courtney Duncan’s multiple talents saw her secure the Secondary School Contribution to Sport award. Courtney is an official for Putaruru College athletics, strikers coach for football and organises trainings and meetings for a number of sports.
Sport Waikato South Waikato District Coordinator Lisa Mansell was very pleased with the high calibre of nominations, finalists and winners this year.
“We have some really amazing talent in the South 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,” Mansell said.
Eligible winners are now considered for the Brian Perry Waikato Regional Sports Awards on Thursday 31st January 2019 at the Claudelands Conference and Event Centre, Hamilton.
2018 winners:
Service to Sport: Denise Farrar, Graham Farrar, Derek Roberts, Karyn Tyrrell
Administrator of the Year: Wendy Cook
Coach of the Year: Elias Scheres
Team of the Year: Pockets Cue Sports Team
Secondary School Sportswoman: Tyra Begbie
Secondary School Sportsman: Christian Vano
Sportsperson of the Year: Jim McMurray
Club of the Year: Tokoroa Blades Track & Field Club
Official of the Year: Taki Bates
Secondary School Contribution to Sport: Courtney Duncan
Emerging Talent: Andrew Syme
Summary of winners:
Administrator of the Year: Wendy Cook, Cue Sports
Wendy is currently Chairperson of a committee working with Clubs New Zealand competitors to assist in getting some consistency in the hosting of major cue sports events in New Zealand. Being such an efficient and organised person Wendy has worked voluntarily on such committees in this sport for many years.
Coach of the Year: Elias Scheres, Netball
Elias has coached the girls to be mentally prepared before during and after their games. This has shown in their games as each individual has stepped up a level - becoming smarter players and thinking one step ahead of the opposition. Elias is a very supportive and encouraging coach.
Official of the Year: Taki Bates, Basketball
Taki 's passion for basketball shows in her dedication to further her officiating skills. Her skills are such that she was selected to be on a National Basketball Officials panel of which only 30 are chosen. Her contribution to the sport and community shows as players are competing at a National and International level. Taki recently officiated at the Pan Pacific Masters games on the Gold Coast, Australia.
Team of the Year: Pockets Team, Cue Sports
All four players have experience, commitment and an ambition to perform at an extremely high level. They demonstrate a passion for their sport, their Club and fellow club members. They are regular supporters of club nights and Club events and have a willingness to help any player within the sport or the Club. Each individual scored at the top of their division to win the team event.
Club of the Year: Tokoroa Blades Track and Field Club, Athletics
This club has just completed their third season as an established athletics club. In this time the club have created a communication plan for members, strong administration templates as well as consistently providing professional development for their volunteers. The club has 42 children registered, an increase in membership of 50%, and it continues to grow.
Secondary School Sportswoman of the Year: Tyra Begbie, Multiple Sports
Tyra has had a busy year competing. She attended the Upper North Island Secondary Schools Netball Tournament, the North Island Secondary School Talent ID for sevens rugby and played in the Waikato Secondary School U18 Rugby team for 15 and 7 aside. Tyra is a well-rounded athlete and very mature off the field as well.
Secondary School Sportsman of the Year: Christian Vano, Basketball
Christian is a gifted athlete with a real passion is playing basketball. Even though he is naturally gifted he still works hard on the court. This year Christian was selected to represent New Zealand in the U14 Boys Basketball Team in Melbourne.
Sportsperson of the Year: Jim McMurray, Cycling
This year Jim came first at the UCI World Champs Time Trial, which crowned him Masters world champion. Nevertheless, Jim still has time to ride at club and regional events and gives up time to help other riders achieve.
Secondary School Contribution to Sport: Courtney Duncan, Football
Courtney Duncan is a competent leader in the Putaruru community. Courtney’s multiple talents consist of being an official at Putaruru College athletics, strikers coach for football and organising trainings and meetings for a number of sports.
Emerging Talent: Andrew Syme, Archery
With descipline and hard work Andrew was selected for Archery New Zealand’s Trans-Tasman team and the World Field Archery Championships in South Africa. Andrew has a very positive attitude towards everything he does.
Service to Sport: Denise & Graham Farrar, Tennis
Denise and Graham Farrar have been a part of the Tokoroa Tennis Club for more than twenty years. As well as administrative and planning duties, they also assist with all the competitive tournaments, social tournaments and coaching aspects for tennis in Tokoroa. Denise and her husband Graham are the backbone of tennis in Tokoroa, having recently been named life members. Together they are the reason that tennis has continued to be offered.
Service to Sport: Derek Roberts, Football
Derek is the heart of the Putaruru Rangers Football Club. Derek has been part of the local club for over 30 years and he has kept the club alive through tough times. His passion for the sport is always evident and his help and experience is always gratefully received. Derek deserves to be acknowledged for the countless volunteer hours he has given the Putaruru football community.
Service to Sport: Karen Tyrrell, Multiple Sports
Karen volunteers in many projects and clubs at local grassroots level through to international status, all the while being a full-time teacher and grandmother. Karen has been treasurer for the Supersports trust group for over 20 years, part of the Tokoroa Squash Club, Tokoroa Skating Club and also the Go Karting Club locally and internationally. This year Karen has been instrumental in administrating the go kart systems for the New Zealand International go kart racing circuit. She also travels throughout New Zealand supporting and training other administrators.
Winners Photos
All Photos