News & Results
Forsyth Barr joins BOP Sports Awards as nominations open
Leading investment services firm Forsyth Barr has joined the Bay of Plenty Sports Awards as naming rights sponsor just as nominations open for the 2020-21 period.
David McConnochie, Forsyth Barr Tauranga Branch Manager, said the firm has a long-standing commitment to supporting schools, clubs and community organisations across the country, and is sponsoring the Bay of Plenty Sports Awards to acknowledge and honour the important work of the sport and recreation community in contributing to the wellbeing of people in the Bay of Plenty.
"The Sports Awards are a fantastic community event. They do an important job in acknowledging the achievements and contributions of many very hard-working people. They are also a great chance for the broader sporting community to come together, to share, to learn, and to celebrate. We’re delighted to be involved.”
Nominations are now open for Sport Awards
Nominations for the 2021 Forsyth Barr Bay of Plenty Sports Awards are now open, and several new categories have been introduced to help celebrate the achievements of everyone, from community sport and recreation organisations through to Olympic champions.
Nick Chambers from Sport Bay of Plenty said the new categories reflected some of the hard work over the last 12 months that has enabled the Bay of Plenty community to continue to have access to great opportunities for physical activity.
“This work has been particularly important during the disruptions caused by COVID-19,” Chambers said.
“The past 12 months has really driven home the importance of physical activity for our overall wellbeing. To recognise that hard and important community mahi we have introduced new categories such as Community Organisation of the Year and Innovation in Sport and Recreation.”
Other new categories include Young Disabled Sportsperson of the Year for athletes aged 16 to 21, and Disabled Sportsperson of the Year for athletes over 21-years-of-age.
“The Bay of Plenty has a wonderfully diverse sport community. It’s really important to us to celebrate that diversity and what it may mean for young people interested in sport but who may not always see themselves represented at the elite level or in mainstream media.”
As in past years, categories recognising coaches, officials and young or adult athletes remain, but some criteria have been updated to ensure a focus remains on community achievements.
“It’s been a tough 12 months, but what has pulled us through has been the hard work of loads of people in the community who generously put in their time and effort to make sure sport and recreation goes from strength to strength in the Bay of Plenty,” Chambers said.
Chambers is also urging people to get their nominations in early to ensure a great pool of nominees that truly reflects the talent across the community. Nominations for the 2021 Forsyth Barr Bay of Plenty Sports Awards close noon Friday, 8 October.
Visit sportbop.co.nz/sportsawards for category details and criteria and to submit a nomination.
A gala dinner and celebration will be held at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre of Friday, 19 November.
