segunda-feira, julho 23, 2007

Emily wins top award


Emily wins top award
by Chris Taewa
Monday, 23 July, 2007

FUTURE became the present on Friday night as world youth swimming championships silver medallist Emily Thomas won the ultimate accolade at the Rockforte Finance Sporting Excellence Awards.
While "grassroots" was the major theme of a glitzy night at Emerald Hotel, it was Gisborne-Tairawhiti’s "Rising Legends" who stole the show . . . outshining even entertaining master of ceremonies, former All Black Glen Osborne.
Sport Gisborne-Tairawhiti chief executive Daniel Gerrard used the night to push their Tairawhiti Rising Legends programme — which supports the development of talented young athletes in the region — but he could not have got a better advertisement than the awards themselves.
Nearly every performance-based category was won by a "young gun".
Campion College student Thomas won the junior sportswoman of the year again and, for the first time, the Rockforte Finance Sports Person of the Year.
It reflected a stellar year for the Comet Swimming Club member, highlighted by her silver medal-winning performance in the 50 metres backstroke at the world youth championships in Brazil.
The "rising star" theme continued into the senior men’s category won by New Zealand’s youngest representative lawn bowler Shannon McIlroy.
Sports team of the year — Surf Life Saving Gisborne’s New Zealand Surf League-winning team — was also sprinkled with teenage talent.
Gisborne Judo Club was the biggest winner on the night, taking four trophies back to the dojo.
Oceania judo champion and Olympic Games hopeful Joy Williams won the sportswoman category and the club also collected the coach (Jason King), official (Esther Reedy-Velloza) and club of the year awards.
An emotional King dedicated it to his late father Dave King, the driving force behind the club’s creation.
Campion was well represented, with beach volleyballers Julia Tilley and Kate Sherriff adding the junior sports team honours to Thomas’ successes.
Gisborne Boys’ High also had cause for celebration. Charlie Ngatai, who many are predicting will follow in the footsteps of Rico Gear, won the junior sportsman title.
Those who feature behind the scenes or have put in tireless voluntary hours were honoured. Pat Naden (cricket) won the service to sport by a man award, Robyn McDermott (rowing) service to sport by a woman.
Both would acknowledge that they are simply representatives of all those who do it purely for the love of sport.
Lindsay File (harriers/cycling) is one of those and he became the latest recipient of the Parker Family Endeavour Cup for an unsung hero.
Sport Gisborne-Tairawhiti once again turned on a memorable night, from the specially-labelled awards wine bottles to the at-times hilarious Osborne.
And while specific performers were highlighted, the night itself was equally a celebration of this region’s passion for sport and drive to succeed at sport. All sport.
Radio Live Official of the Year: Esther Reedy-Velloza (judo).
Coates Associates Services to Sport by a Man: Pat Naden (cricket).
Infinity Solution Services to Sport by a Woman: Robyn McDermott (rowing).
Parker Family Endeavour Cup: Lindsay File (harriers/cycling).
Tourism Eastland Club of the Year: Gisborne Judo Club.
Turanganui Primary Health Organisation Junior Sports Team of the Year: Julia Tilley and Kate Sherriff (beach volleyball).
Gisborne District Council Junior Sportswoman of the Year: Emily Thomas (swimming).
Gary Bates Junior Sportsman of the Year: Charlie Ngatai (athletics/rugby).
Woodward Chrisp Coach of the Year: Jason King (judo).
Apple Arts Sports Team of the Year: Surf Life Saving Gisborne open surf league team.
Gisborne Herald sportswoman of the year: Joy Williams (judo).
Emerald Hotel Sportswoman of the Year: Shannon McIlroy (lawn bowls).
Rockforte Finance Sports Person: Emily Thomas.
Fonte: Gisborne Herald - Gisborne, New Zealand

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