Magpies fly high at Hawke's Bay Sports Awards
The Hawke’s Bay Magpies tonight became only the second team to claim the supreme award at the Forsyth Barr Hawke’s Bay Sports Awards in the event's 53rd year.
The Medallion Napier City Rovers side of 1993, who were winners of the Chatham Cup and National Superclub Cup and were also crowned Central Superclub Champions, are the only other team to claim the supreme award.
This follows domination from Olympians Aimee Fisher (2016, 2018 and 2020) and Regan Gough (2015, 2019) and top shearer John Kirkpatrick (2017) in recent years.
The Hawke’s Bay Magpies (pictured above, photo Chris Kiely), who earlier in the evening claimed the Tremains Senior Team award had a stellar year in what was heavily impacted by Covid-19. With the Mitre10 Cup Championship Trophy and Ranfurly Shield in the bag, the team also supported the East Coast Rural Trust by donating $16,813 through charity jersey auctions.
This is the eighth time the Magpies have claimed the Senior Team trophy and topped off an impressive evening for the code with Daniel Waenga (Official of the Year) and Mark Ozich (Coach of the Year) also winning their respective categories, as well as Israel Dagg being inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame.
The 2021 Forsyth Barr Hawke’s Bay Sports Awards, held at Taradale’s Pettigrew Green Arena, attracted over 470 guests, all celebrating the achievements of individuals, teams, clubs and loyal serving volunteers. Due to Covid-19 and restrictions on crowd sizes, the 2020 event was held online for the first time with viewers able to watch via Facebook and YouTube.
Sport Hawke’s Bay General Manager Ryan Hambleton said it was great to have everyone back in the same room this year.
"We missed the hype and celebrating alongside the play, active recreation and sport sector last year so it was great we were able to bring everyone together again in 2021 and celebrate some outstanding achievements from a wide range of our community.”
“We have some outstanding sportspeople, volunteers, coaches and organisations in the region. With world champions through to nationally recognised volunteers, as shows tonight, Hawke’s Bay is a great place to live and be active.”
Forsyth Barr Investment Adviser Matt Carney said, as a New Zealand-owned investment advisory firm with a history of over 80 years, Forsyth Barr has always supported local New Zealand communities and are proud to sponsor the Forsyth Barr Hawke’s Bay Sports Awards.
"We congratulate all of the finalists and the winners in each category, particularly the Forsyth Barr Hawke’s Bay Supreme Winner, the Hawke’s Bay Magpies and the Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Israel Dagg”.
In an increasingly strong category, Central Football claimed the Three Wise Birds Innovation in Sport Category following their 2018 award.
The “Breaking Down Barriers’ 24-hour event that Central Football ran was recognised supporting a new fund set up by the regional sports organisation to assist those that may need financial support to participate in the sport.
With over 50 teams and 2000 players across all age ranges and abilities, the event was enough to claim the award over other notable finalists in Hastings Girls High School and their ‘Akina Colour Shamozzle’ event, Hawke’s Bay Hockey’s successful YUP programme and Triathlon Hawke’s Bays ability to navigate Covid-19 and be innovative with the way they were able to run a range of events during lockdown.
New Vantage Mens Blackstick, Sean Findlay continued an impressive weekend, claiming the EIT Junior Sportsperson of the Year in the same weekend he made his debut for the national men’s side along with scoring a goal against the Australian champion team.
David Greene and Donnette Daly were recognised for their ongoing contribution to football and basketball respectively. Greene, a life member of the Taradale Football Club has been Team Manager for 34 straight years, taking in over 600 games as a volunteer. While Daly has been a driving force, both on the court but also off it upskilling a number of young officials across the region to help grow the game. Both were noted as very worthy recipients of the Glenn Cook Technologies Lifetime Contribution to Sport award.
“These awards are always one of the highlights of the Sport Hawke’s Bay calendar. We are proud to be associated with the awards and thank those who nominate, the sponsors and the suppliers who help make this event happen," Hambleton said.
Award winners:
Sportsground.com Administrator of the Year: Paula Hansen; Football
Nimon & Sons Sports Organisation of the Year: Canoe Polo Hawke’s Bay
Zeelandt Brewery Grassroots Club of the Year: Triathlon Hawke’s Bay
Three Wise Birds Innovation in Sport & Recreation: Central Football; Breaking Down Barriers
Brebner Print Official of the Year: Daniel Waenga; Rugby Union
Kennedy Park Resort Napier Masters Sportsperson of the Year: Lance Baylis; Powerlifting
Petane Wines Coach of the Year: Mark Ozich; Rugby Union
The Hits People’s Choice: Ethan Rusbatch; Basketball
Glenn Cook Technologies Lifetime Contribution to Sport: David Greene; Football and Donnette Daly; Basketball
Stirling Sports Junior Sports Team of the Year: Havelock North High School Girls A; Canoe Polo
Tremains Senior Sports Team of the Year: Hawke’s Bay Magpies; Rugby Union
EIT Junior Sportsperson of the Year: Sean Findlay; Hockey
Paladin Disabled Sportsperson of the Year: Guy Harrison; Athletics
Hawke’s Bay Today Senior Sportsperson of the Year: Tom Mackintosh; Rowing
Forsyth Barr Hawke’s Bay Sportsperson of the Year: Hawke’s Bay Magpies; Rugby Union
