The outstanding achievements of Northland’s athletes have been recognised at the 2017 Conbrio Northland Sports Awards where winners were announced last night in front of an audience of over 400.  This marks the 30^th annual Northland Sports Awards.

Blair Tuke took out the Supreme Award, for a fifth time and earlier in the evening was awarded the Steinlager Pure Sportsman of the Year Award.  Tuke was a key member of the New Zealand Americas Cup team that won the 35^th America’s Cup in Bermuda beating Oracle Team USA 7-1.

The Pure Steinlager Sportswomen of the Year Award went to Hockey great Stacey Michelsen who has captained the Black Sticks team throughout 2017 and also played a huge part in the Northland NHL women’s team that finished second at National Hockey League tournament this year.

The Garry Frew Memorial Junior Sportsperson of the Year Award went to Teuarangi Tana who has a long list of outstanding achievements in karate including at the Australian Open, Teuarangi took home silver and gold in the Kumite 68+kg division and she is also a NZ Kumite Over 18 years Champion.  Tana also received a Kauri Club Scholarship grant of $1,000 from Sport Northland to assist her to continue in her sporting career.

Another highlight of the evening was The Northern Advocate People’s Choice Award awarded to Ady McKenzie and her achievements in athletics as voted by the public for ‘Northland World Masters Games Athlete’.  The award has been going since 2011 and past winners have included:

2011    Mike Delaney (Personality of the Year)

2012    Pero Cameron – (past Olympians)

2013    1972 North Auckland team - Ranfurly Shield match v Auckland at Okara Park

(Northland's Most Magical Sporting Moment)

2014    Colin Thorne (Personality of the Year)

2015    The Wilson Sisters - Vicky, Kelly and Amanda. (Personalities of the Year)

2016    Cameron Leslie (Favourite Olympic moment)

The Brian Maunsell Memorial Service to Sport Award is awarded for outstanding contribution to Northland sport and recognises selfless dedication of individuals that they bring for the good of sport.  Last night this was awarded to Mervyn Bint.  Bint is a tireless volunteer within the Hockey Northland community and has been involved in many different aspects throughout his tenure. He started umpiring club hockey in 1978 and is still actively umpiring today. He has umpired at National Tournaments and has also coached a number of club hockey teams.

The Team of the Year Award went to the Maungaturoto Men’s Triples Bowls team who played in the World Masters Games in Auckland winning Gold in the triples. They also represented Northland and their club at the New Zealand Club finals winning the event and thus a National title becoming the first Northland Mens players to win a New Zealand title since the inception of the Northland Bowling Centre, which is a huge achievement.

The Junior Team of the Year award went to The Fat Oysters who competed at this year’s Waka Ama Sprint Nationals on Lake Karapiro winning gold in in the J19 W6 division over 1000m. They also placed first at the 2016 Waka Ama Long Distance Nationals in the J16 division.

The night also included a panel of guest speakers involving World Cup Winner Black Fern Charmaine Smith, former All Black Derren Witcombe and former Black Caps Hamish and James Marshall who were interviewed by emcee’s Mereana Hawthorne and Scotty ‘Sumo’ Stevenson.

The Conbrio Northland Sports Awards has been an annual event organised by Sport Northland since 1987. The evening is a celebration to acknowledge the achievements of Northland sportspeople from players through code awards, to coaches, officials, service to sport and two new categories - Community Impact and Junior Sports Team categories. 

You can view a full list of winners and photos HERE