Sunday, July 24, 2016

Mount Maunganui and Whangamata have taken out this year's coveted awards at the Zespri Bay of Plenty/Coromandel Awards of Excellence last night.

Both clubs were awarded the Zespri Club of the Year title for their respective regions at the glitzy awards evening held at Trinity Warf Tauranga.

As well as the award, the winning clubs also received a $5000 cheque from Zespri, which the company gives so the clubs can spend it on lifesaving equipment.

Zespri general manager grower and external relations Dave Courtney says the company were proud to support an organisation like Surf Life Saving.

"Supporting this award and providing free training for local lifeguards is our way of recognising the people who do so much for our communities, keeping our beaches safe for everyone to enjoy," he says.

In 2014, a new awards format was introduced to reflect the growth in lifesaving in both the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty areas.

The lifesaving awards are now split between the two respective areas which allows for the recognition of more volunteers.

As well as club of the year, some of the top awards included Pacific Medicare Lifeguard of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Rescue of the Year.

Bay of Plenty Lifeguard of the Year was awarded to Shaun Smith from Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club.

The purpose of this award is to recognise a member who had made an outstanding contribution to the delivery and development of drowning prevention services for SLSNZ. It is aimed at active surf lifeguards undertaking lifeguarding duties.

AWARD WINNERS

Bay of Plenty lifesaving awards

Pacific Medicare Lifeguard of the Year: Shaun Smith, Papamoa

Patrol Captain of the Year: Shaun Smith, Papamoa

Instructor of the Year: Garry King, Mount Maunganui

Examiner of the Year: Danielle Shepherd, Mount Maunganui

Volunteer of the Year: Donal Boyle, Omanu Beach

Rescue of the Year: Whakatane SLSC, 7th December 2015

Pacific Medicare Patrol Club of the Year: Maketu

Zespri Club of the Year: Mount Maunganui 

Coromandel lifesaving awards

Pacific Medicare Lifeguard of the Year: Christiaan Maarhuis, Waihi Beach

Patrol Captain of the Year: Daniel Gordon, Pauanui

Instructor of the Year: Lucy Scown, Waihi Beach

Examiner of the Year: Spencer Raymond, Pauanui

Volunteer of the Year: Susan Stewart, Waihi Beach

Rescue of the Year: Tairua SLSC, 28th December 2015

Pacific Medicare Patrol Club of the Year: Tairua

Zespri Club of the Year: Whangamata 

Regional awards

Eastern Region Rookie Lifeguard of the Year: Ella Higgins, Waihi Beach 

Sport awards

Emerging Coach of the Year: Jason Watts, Papamoa

Coach of the Year: Matt Cairns, Papamoa

McLeod Cranes Surf Official of the Year: Ross Merrett, Papamoa

Sports Team of the Year: Whangamata Barrys U23 Men's Boat Crew (Brandon Dromgool, Josh Kerridge, Sam Stockley, Lyndon Vickers, Andrew Jujunovich)

U14 Female Sportsperson of the Year: Isabella Akroyd, Mount Maunganui

U14 Male Sportsperson of the Year Daniel Shanahan, Mount Maunganui

U16 Female Sportsperson of the Year: Tessa Bradley, Mount Maunganui

U16 Male Sportsperson of the Year: Lochlainn O'Connor, Mount Maunganui

U19 Female Sportsperson of the Year: Libby Bradley, Mount Maunganui

U19 Male Sportsperson of the Year: Kane Sefton, Mount Maunganui

Open Female Sportsperson of the Year: Jessica Miller, Mount Maunganui

Open Male Sportsperson of the Year: Adam Simpson, Mount Maunganui

Masters Female Sportsperson of the Year: Jol McGarvey, Omanu Beach

Masters Male Sportsperson of the Year: Ian Glover, Omanu Beach

Individual International Sports Performance: Olivia Eaton, Mount Maunganui

Team International Sports Performance: Mount Maunganui U19 Men's Board Rescue Team (Hamish Miller & Kane Sefton)

Eastern Region Service Awards

Christopher Emmett, Omanu Beach

Donal Boyle, Omanu Beach

Jason Carswell, Omanu Beach

Stephen Williams, Pukehina

Kevin Barugh, Pukehina

Eastern Region Distinguished Service Awards

Danielle Shepherd, Mount Maunganui

Simon Oldham, Omanu Beach

Dennis Mundy, Omanu Beach

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