Mid Canterbury Sport and Recreation Awards 2026

We're excited to announce that the Mid Canterbury Sport and Recreation Awards are back next year!
Join us on Saturday, May 9, as we celebrate the incredible achievements of athletes, coaches, volunteers and organisations that make our sport and recreation community thrive.

About

The Mid Canterbury Sport and Recreation Awards are an annual celebration hosted by Sport Canterbury to recognise and honour outstanding contributions and achievements in sport and active recreation within the Mid Canterbury region.

Award categories reflect the mahi Sport Canterbury undertakes and promotes within the community.

Past Winners

General conditions of nomination:

1. Finalists and winners will be selected by the judging panel from nominations received by the Mid Canterbury community.
2. The judges reserve the right to have the final say in the eligibility of the person nominated.
3. It shall be the duty of the judging panel to select the finalists and overall award winner. The panel has the discretion to make the judgment under the conditions of the nomination and the decision of the panel shall be final.

Award Categories

Official of the Year

Awarded to an official who has shown commitment to their chosen code over the past 12 months. Nominees for this category can be community or elite officials.

Volunteer of the Year 

Awarded to a volunteer who has given their time at a community, regional, national or international level, and has shown commitment to their chosen code, club or organisation over the past 12 months.

Community Sport and Recreation Impact Award

Awarded to an unsung administrator/s, club, group, programme or initiative that has positively impacted the sporting or active recreation community and/or removed barriers for priority populations. A nomination may recognise a single event, a programme, a season or a year‑long commitment.

Para Athlete/s of the Year Award

Awarded to an individual para-athlete or teams who have shown outstanding achievement in sport over the past 12 months.

Coach of the Year

Awarded to a coach who has created a positive culture, encourages fair play and has shown commitment to their chosen code over the past 12 months. Nominees for this category can be community or elite coaches.

Robilliard Award for Outstanding Service to Sport

Awarded to a person for contributions to their chosen sport(s) over many years.

Outstanding Youth in Sport Award – Individual

Awarded to an individual aged between 16 and 21 years. Individual nominees must have at least represented the Mid Canterbury region or be competing nationally/internationally - for school, club, or province - with their region of origin being noted as Mid Canterbury.

Master’s Sportsperson of the Year Award

Awarded to an athlete, male or female. Must show evidence of achievement in their chosen sporting code in a local community, regional, major national or international masters or age group competition.

Sports Team of the Year Award 

Awarded to a team aged 16 years and up that has demonstrated outstanding achievement in sport over the past 12 months. Teams may have competed at the local, community, school or elite levels.

Sportsperson of the Year Award

Awarded to an athlete over the age of 21 who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in sport in a local community, regional, major national or international competition over the past 12 months.

Sports clubs and sports organisations – Promote your sport by nominating teams and /or individuals in all categories to acknowledge their contribution and/or achievement in their chosen sport.