Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman
Minister for Sport and Recreation
29 May 2017
Media Statement
Congrats to Sport and Recreation Awards finalists
Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman has acknowledged the finalists at the tenth anniversary of the Sport and
Recreation Awards.
“These annual awards, hosted by Sport NZ, celebrate the contribution and dedication of individuals, clubs, regional and
national organisations to enriching New Zealanders’ lives,” says Dr Coleman.
“The strength and diversity of entries this year is impressive, and it shows the high-quality work being done to
maintain the strength of our sport and recreation sector and keep Kiwis active.
“I would like to acknowledge and congratulate the finalists for their contribution to sport and recreation in New
Zealand.”
The award categories recognise excellence in commercial partnerships, community impact, event excellence and innovation
and high performance campaigns in the sport and recreation sector.
A number of lifetime achievement awards will also be presented, together with the CK Doig Award for leadership.
The awards coincide with Sport NZ’s Connections Conference, the annual conference for leaders from the sector.
“This year’s Connections theme is Partnerships and Collaboration, a timely topic given New Zealand’s successful hosting
of the World Masters Games, and the Lions Series kicking off in five days,” says Dr Coleman.
“Major events are a great way to showcase New Zealand to the rest of the world, many of the participants have extended
their stay to sample our kiwi hospitality and iconic sights.”
Notes to editors: The finalists for the Sport and Recreation Awards are:
Commercial Partnership
Badminton New Zealand and Onepure
Paralympics NZ and ACC, Cadbury and Sanford Ltd
Sport Northland and ASB partnership
Community Impact
Activating the Wairoa community – Sport Hawke’s Bay
The Northeast Pathways Project – Hutt City Council
The Pasifika Aotearoa Cup Women’s Rugby Festival – NZ Rugby
Event Excellence
2016 World Bowls Championships – Bowls New Zealand
Aon 2016 Youth Sailing World Championships – Yachting New Zealand
Crankworx Rotorua – Mountain Bike Events Ltd
Te Wānanga O Aotearoa Waka Ama Sprint National Championships – Waka Ama New Zealand
High Performance Campaign
Peter Burling And Blair Tuke 49er Class Rio 2016 Olympic Games Campaign – Yachting New Zealand
Sophie Pascoe Rio 2016 Paralympics Games Campaign – Paralympics NZ
Tom Walsh Rio 2016 Olympic Games Campaign – Athletics NZ
Innovation Excellence
'Glory league' – Basketball New Zealand
Community playgroups – NZ Rugby League
Northland Rugby Blue Card – NZ Rugby