It started at the Marist Sports Awards. With a great turn out of Bike Manawatu members and supporters it was a set to be a great night when finalists in the Most Promising Junior sportsperson were asked to come to the front. Michaela Drummond along with Campbell Stewart representing cycling.
And the winner is ….. Campbell Stewart. This was a new award last year and the first name on the trophy was Kate Stewart, who as a year older was considered no longer a junior and was therefore a finalist for Sportsperson of the year alongside Jesse Sergent and Simon van Velthooven.
And the winner is ….. for the first time a joint award to be shared between Jesse Sergent and Simon van Velthooven.
Then it was off to the main event of the evening the Central Energy Trust Sportsperson of the year awards at the Awapuni racecourse.
A night of glitz and glamour , dress code jacket and tie. For a lot of people it was a chance to dress up (even in matching outfits adorned with cats.)
Bike Manawatu had a six finalists across the categories, some in more than one category.
First came the Legends of Sport. The citation that was read hinted at a woman who had led an amazing sporting life over many decades. Jean Whitfeild was a golfer who at a mature age is still hitting golf balls and told eveyone present that all that was said in the citation is unverified. But we all stood in awe of this delightful lady who didn’t need a microphone.
The first award of the night was the Manawatu Standard More FM Sports Personality of the year. The four finalists were Aaron Smith, (Rugby) Simon van Velthooven,(Cycling) Jack McKenzie (triathlon also a member of Bike Manawatu) and Mike McRedmond (cycling). This award was decided by the public who had the ability to cast votes online.
And the winner is ….
. Mike McRedmond. Mike was well prepared and pulled out of his pocket his acceptance speech which he had written earlier in the day. He thanked not only the athletes that he coached but also the parents of the athletes and his wife Natalie
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Mike with Christine Christie.
The Property Brokers Official of the year was awarded to Val Scarr for table tennis.
The Administrator of the year was awarded to Shona Cudby also from table tennis.
The Eastern and Central Community Trust Coach of the year had Mike McRedmond again on the stage along with the other finalists. The winner of this award was Paul Macdermid who coaches cycling and athletics.
The Team of the year was awarded to Northern Bowling Club Women’s Interclub team.
The Disabled Sportsperson of the year went to Ashley Exeter for athletics.
Xalt Masters Sportsperson of the year where Sue McMaster was a finalist was awarded to Lynda West from hockey.
The Student City Junior Sportswoman of the year saw the largest number of finalists gather on the stage. Bike Manawatu was represented by both Michaela Drummond and Kate Stewart. The award went to Stephanie Dickens from athletics.
The Student City Junior Sportsman of the year saw Campbell Stewart as a finalist representing cycling on the stage. The winner of this award was Tyler Hodge from golf.
The Central Energy Trust Sportswoman of the year was won by Kayla Sharland from hockey.
The Central Energy Trust Sportsman of the year had seven finalists including Jesse Sergent and Simon van Velthooven.
And the winner is …. Simon van Velthooven. On receiving the award on behalf of Simon, Paul van Velthooven commented that he had spoken to Simon earlier in the week and had asked him what he would say if he was a winner. Paul thanked on Simons behalf the sponsors, Heather , Simon’s mum and the community of Manawatu that has supported him over the years.
The Central Energy Trust Supreme Sportsperson of the year. This award signifies the outstanding achievements of an athlete selected from the winners of the Sportsman, Sportswoman, Masters, Juniors and Disabled Sportsperson categories.
And the winner is ….. Simon van Velthooven. Congratulations to Simon in what has been an outstanding year. Roll on 22nd December when we can all celebrate with you.
