Sport Canterbury is pleased to announce the finalists for the ORIX NZ 2019 Canterbury Sports Awards.
 

The March 29th event will honour sporting excellence as well as the invaluable contributions of dedicated coaches, administrators, officials and volunteers.

Event Information - ORIX NZ 2019 Canterbury Sports Awards
 

According to Sport Canterbury Chief Executive Julyan Falloon, the response from sports has been tremendous – 32 different sporting codes have put forward nominations, across 13 categories.

The evening is Canterbury’s iconic celebration of sporting success; a highlight of the evening is the moment at which two new Sporting Legends of Canterbury will be revealed.

Notable highlights in the finalist field include:

• Three of the Outstanding Team of the Year finalists are women’s teams
• The Outstanding Official of the Year finalists have punched far above Canterbury’s weight on the world stage
• One finalist represents New Zealand in two sports and also belongs to a third code’s national squad
   

The event has often created headlines across New Zealand; Sophie Pascoe created a new pathway for sportspeople with disabilities, by claiming the category prize and Supreme Sportsperson of the Year title on the same night.

In 2019, the calibre of nominations for the Junior Sportsperson titles suggests a great deal of excitement for the future of sport in this region.

“Our junior sportspeople nominees have achieved a level of success early in their sporting careers that suggests the future is bright,” says Sport Canterbury Chief Executive Julyan Falloon.”

“This year we celebrated the opening of Ngā Puna Wai, which is giving our communities a sporting home in the southwest of the city. Young Cantabrians not only have world class facilities on their doorstep – they have world class inspiration as well.”

The 2019 Young Sportsman of the Year and Coach of the Year categories have attracted 16 nominations each.

“We are often asked what sets Canterbury apart as a region that excels in sport – not only setting records, but a standard that is admired around the world in terms of sporting culture?”

Falloon’s answer? The coaches and the sense of community.

“In Canterbury, we invest a great deal in the people who influence quality sporting experiences at an early age. If children develop a lifelong love of being active, our communities benefit, and success comes naturally.

“We are not the largest province in New Zealand, yet Canterbury sport continues to be associated with excellence around the world.

“The reason behind this excellence is our community, and the genuine care that sponsors such as ORIX NZ show for this region’s future.”

“ORIX NZ are absolutely delighted to support both Sport Canterbury and the wider Canterbury community. We look forward to celebrating the Canterbury success  enjoyed on the sporting scene over the past year,” ORIX NZ General Manager Barry Nicholson adds.

ORIX NZ 2019 Canterbury Sports Awards Finalists
 

Sharp Outstanding Administrator of the Year

Athletics – Andrew Stark

Football – Jodi Gauci

GymSports – Ryan Jones

Rugby – Lyndon McKendry

Christchurch City Council Outstanding Sports Club of the Year

Canoe – Arawa Canoe Club Inc.

Cricket – Cheviot Cricket Club

Football – Nomads United FC

Rugby – Waihora Rugby Football Club

Tennis – Te Kura Hagley Park Tennis Club

Blackwells Holden Outstanding Official of the Year

Athletics – Ruth Liong

Cricket – Kim Cotton

Hockey – Gareth Greenfield

Rugby – Jamie Nutbrown

UC Health Outstanding Sports Coach of the Year

Athletics – Dale Stevenson

Football – Alana Gunn

Rugby – Scott Robertson

Triathlon – Axel Reiser

Lincoln University Outstanding Junior Team of the Year

Basketball – Waitaha U19 Mens

Futsal – Canterbury United U19 Futsal Dragons

Rowing – Christs’ College Rowing Eight

Surf Life Saving – Sumner SLSC U16 Board Relay Team

Canterbury Orthopaedic Services Trust Outstanding Team of the Year

Bowls – Canterbury Women’s

Football – Canterbury United Pride

Rugby – BNZ Crusaders

Volleyball – Canterbury Senior Women

Anstice Optometrists Sportsperson or Team with a Disability of the Year

Bowls – Bruce Wakefield

Boccia – ParaFed Canterbury Boccia Team

Canoe – Scott Martlew

Swimming – Sophie Pascoe

Christchurch City Council Outstanding Sports Event of the Year

Basketball - Tall Blacks vs Jordan, FIBA World Cup Qualifying Games

Cycling – Cycling New Zealand Schools National Road Championships

Multisport – Kathmandu Coast to Coast

Tennis – Love Tennis

Hawkins Lifetime Achievement Award

Basketball – Faith Harrison

Bowls – Rae Miller

Cricket – Alec Astle

GymSports –Jane Clark

Rugby – Ivan Bolton

Rugby League – Bill Whitehead

Squash –Lawrence Skurr

Craigs Investment Partners Outstanding Sportswoman of the Year

Hockey – Olivia Merry

Rowing – Grace Prendergast

Rugby – Kendra Cocksedge

Swimming – Sophie Pascoe

HEB Construction Outstanding Sportsman of the Year

Athletics – Tom Walsh

Cricket – Tom Latham

Rugby – Sam Whitelock

Squash – Paul Coll

The Press Outstanding Young Sportswoman of the Year

Cycling – Annamarie Lipp

Football – Gabrielle Rennie

Golf – Juliana Hung

Rugby – Grace Brooker

Triathlon – Ari Graham

AECOM Outstanding Young Sportsman of the Year

Basketball – Max Darling

Cycling – Bailey O’Donnell

Rowing – William Gilbert

Rugby League – Brad Campbell

Surf Life Saving – Louis Clark

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