Kapiti Sportsperson of the Year Announced

Kapiti Sportsperson of the Year Announced

14 May 2015

Kurtis Imrie, 19, was named ‘Kapiti Sportsperson of the Year’ at last night’s PAK’n SAVE Kapiti Sportsperson of the Year Awards 10th anniversary dinner.

Recognised for his achievements in Canoe Racing and Surf Lifesaving, Kurtis represented New Zealand at the Oceania canoe racing champs in Sydney and at the world junior champs in Hungary. At the Oceania championships Kurtis won four gold medals and one silver medal in the U18 men’s section. He also achieved a 5th place in the junior world K1, 1000m final.

He was named NZ Junior Sportsman of the Year for Canoe Racing NZ and named in the NZ Surf Lifesaving development team.

The Awards was held at Southward Theatre, with 200 guests enjoying what, President of the Lions Club of Kapiti, Brian Daw said “was the best yet.”

“Our sponsors, along with Event Manager Kirsten Kilmister of Scopevents, helped us develop and grow the event and we couldn’t do it without their assistance. Everyone agreed that last night’s function was a huge success."

“The calibre of nominees for the twelve award categories was again remarkable and judges have a difficult time in selecting finalists and winners. Kapiti should be proud of all those who were nominated this year, whether they are volunteers, administrators, officials, coaches, disabled athletes, sportswomen and sportsmen, or those who manage teams and clubs. Collectively, they represent Kapiti as a successful, vibrant and healthy community”.

In association with Sport Wellington, a Lotto Sports Makers Grant was awarded to Gavin Snowsill of Kapiti Gymnastics.

The grant recognises the recipient’s role as an unpaid volunteer and comprises a $500 voucher for the recipient plus another $500 voucher for the Kapiti club, code or sport of the recipient’s choice.

Sport Wellington leave the decision to the Kapiti organisers to decide who should be recognised and they made their choice from among the volunteer, contributor, administrator and coach categories.

Brian Daw commented that “The Lions Club of Kapiti take great pride in running the Awards. As our flagship project we believe the Awards do much to encourage and support the young and not-so-young athletes and recognise those who make amateur sport in the district viable. As Mayor Ross Church said in his speech, (delivered by Lion, Joe Franklin), ‘we need to recognise the commitment of our sports people and their supporters’.’”

The category winners of the 2015 Awards were:

Administrator of the Year: Sandra Bednarek (Surf Life Saving)

Official of the Year: Lucy Townend (Hockey)

Sports Volunteer of the Year: Tau Neary (Netball)

Coach of the Year: Peter Housiaux (Canoe Polo)

Disabled Athlete of the Year: Santana Chapman (Swimming)

Team of the Year: Kapiti Vaulting Equestrian Team

Club of the Year: Kapiti Coast United Football Club

Emerging Sportswoman of the Year: Rebecca Moynihan (Swimming)

Emerging Sportsman of the Year: Ethan Reti (Gymnastics)

Sportswoman of the Year: Tess Allen (Kayaking)

Sportsman of the Year: Kurtis Imrie (Surf Life Saving)

ENDS

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