Junior All Black named sportsperson of the year

 
7 October 2009

Embargoed until 7 October 2009, 11pm

 
Junior All Black named sportsperson of the year

Victor Vito is to be named Sportsperson of the Year at the Victoria University of Wellington Blues Awards tonight. In 2008 and 2009 Vito played for the Wellington Lions and in 2009 became a Wellington Hurricane and a Junior All Black. Vito has been a student at Victoria since 2005.

“I am delighted that an athlete of the quality of Victor will join the ranks of winners of this prestigious award. It demonstrates that students can combine competing at the highest level with academic study,” said Jasmine Freemantle, President of the Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association (VUWSA).

The Blues are the highest recognition the University can give to people who have, by their sporting achievements or contribution to sport, brought credit to the institution. They are awarded by the VUWSA on the recommendation of the Blues Panel, which consists of representatives of the Victoria University Sports Council and appointed members who are highly respected in the Wellington sports industry.

Former winners include All Blacks Graham Mourie, Jerry Collins and Conrad Smith, five-times World Mountain Running Champ Jonathan Wyatt, and Black Stick Suzie Pearce. Twenty three students will receive sports Blues and two students will receive sports administration Blues. The Sportsperson of the Year award will be presented by rugby league legend Ruben Wiki. The Awards will be held at the Kosmos Greek Taverna, 12 Pirie Street at 6.30pm.

Recipients include:

Sports Administration Blues

Sam Vinton Boot – Tennis Administration

Terence Davidson – Squash Administration

Sports Blues

Scott Fuglistaller – Rugby

Victor Vito – Rugby

Robert Fruean – Rugby

Alex Schroder – Hockey

Lizzie Ingham – Orienteering

Stephen Whittington – Debating

Polly Higbee – Debating

William Bishop – Fencing

Sebastian Templeton – Debating

Richard D’Ath – Debating

Ella Edgington – Debating

Michael Hobbs – Rugby

Thomas McKay – Handball

Ben Wallace – Handball

James Cochrane – Handball

Jo Holdaway – Hockey

Ellen Schaef – Athletics

Louise Hosegood – Athletics

Sarah Hosegood – Athletics

Lachlan Tijsen – Water polo

Phillip Drew – Croquet

Richard Maxwell – Underwater Hockey

Michael Pittams - Squash

ENDS

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