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World-Class Athletes Vie For Maori Sports Honours
PANUI PAPAHO / MEDIA STATEMENT
Te 3 o nga ra o Whiringa-a-rangi 2003
KI A:
Chief Reporters
Sports Editors
Maori Affairs Reporters
WORLD-CLASS ATHLETES
VIE FOR TOP MAORI SPORTS HONOURS
World champion athletes Eric Rush and Temepara Clark are among an extraordinary line-up of achievers named today (1/11/03) as finalists in this month's Maori Sports Awards.
More than 1200 people will attend the black tie ceremony at the Auckland Showgrounds on Saturday, November 29, while a similar number of youngsters from kura kaupapa Maori (Maori language immersion schools) will meet their sporting heroes the day before at a Tamariki Sports and Cultural Day in South Auckland.
Organisers of the annual event say they've worked hard to attract nominations from popular mainstream codes and iwi sports awards organisations to some lesser-known sports such as bocce, ice speed skating, wool handling and wood chopping.
Te Tohu Taakaro o Aotearoa executive director Richard (Dick) Garratt says competitors this year have achieved world rankings, gold medals, national and international titles, world champion status and personal bests. The finalists have been chosen from more than 200 nominations in 11 categories. One finalist will also collect the Albie Pryor Memorial Sportsperson of the Year Award.
The theme of this year's awards is 'Te Maru o Mahuika' and a special table has been set aside for Maori women sporting champions from the past. The trust's vision is to establish a Maori Sports Hall of Fame.
As well as the prestigious titles and carvings, the awards night will deliver more than $30,000 in scholarships from SFRITO, AUT and CEGs. SPARC - He Oranga Poutama will present their Community Initiative Award.
A new award - 'Tiori' - will be presented by Pine Harrison to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of an individual sportsperson who has consistently represented the highest values of sporting excellence, often under difficult and challenging circumstances. This awardee has performed at the highest level in their chosen sport including inspirational leadership, unshakeable loyalty to Aotearoa and the perfect role model for sporting youth.
For last minute ticket
sales, contact the organisers on 09 278 6591, 0274 901237,
e-mail The finalists are: Actives
Trust Maori Sports Administrator - Maui
Tikitiki-a-Taranga: Christine Panapa (Ngati Tuwharetoa,
Nga Puhi) rugby league Wynton Rufer, (Ngati Porou)
soccer Don Mann (Ngati Kahungungu, Tuhoe) rugby
league Sport and Recreation NZ Maori Sports Umpire - Te
Aratiatia: Shaun Waata Birmingham (Waikato), touch
rugby Lee Kim Tuki (Tainui/Ngati Maru), aerobics Rosey
Smith (Ngati Tuwharetoa/Tainui) netball Te Whanau o
Waipareira Disabled Maori Sports Person - Te
Toihuarewa: Kaye McMurray (Ngati Porou)
athletics Lincoln Coronno (Nga Puhi) bocce William Ray
Beattie (Ngai Tuhoe/Ngati Kahungunu), field athletics
Unitec Maori Sports Coach - Te Maru o
Tumatauenga: Colin Cooper (Ngati Porou), rugby Peter
Joseph, (Te Arawa) women's 7s rugby Margaret Foster (Ngai
Tahu) netball ACC Sports Team - Nga Ika a
Whiro: Aotearoa Maori Women's Rugby 7s NZ Maori All
Blacks NZ Maori Rugby League 7s Te Puni Kokiri Junior
Maori Sportswoman - Te Tamahine-a-Papatuanuku: Tia Mataira
(Ngati Kahungunu) taekwondo Rangi Moses - basketball, waka
ama, athletics Melissa Mae Ruru (Tuhoe/Te
Aitanga-a-Mahaki) netball, swimming, volleyball Mighty
River Power Junior Sportsman - Te
Tama-a-Ranginui: Benjamin Marshall (Ngai Tuhoe), rugby
league, touch football Blake Skjellerup (Whanganui, Ngati
Pamoana) ice speed skating Jordan Vandermade (Tuhoe)
athletics Fletcher Construction Senior Maori Sportswoman -
Hinehuone: Temepara Clark (Nga Puhi) netball Shelley
Kitchen, (Nga Puhi) squash Karmyn Wynyard (Tainui/Ngati
Apakura) wood chopping/sawing Trillian Trust, Senior Maori
Sportsman - Te Tame-a-Tanenuiarangi: Eric Rush (Nga Puhi),
rugby 7s Carlos Spencer (Ngati Kahungunu/Muaupoko)
rugby Shane Bond (Ngai Tahu) cricket The Wanderers Club
World Champions Award: Joanne Kumeroa
(Atihaunui-a-Paparangi) wool handler Dion Lane (Tainui)
wood-chopping, sawing Jason Wynyard (Ngati Maniapoto/Nga
Puhi) wood chopping Karmyn Wynyard (Tainui/Ngati Apakura)
wood chopping/sawing ENDS
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