Olympic Gold Medallist Blair Tuke took out the Supreme Award at the annual Far North District Council Far North Sports Awards held at the Scenic Hotel in Paihia on Friday evening, for the eighth consecutive year.

Tuke, a Kerikeri Cruising Club member won the ASB Code award for sailing, followed by the Top Energy Far North Sportsman of the Year before being awarded the FNDC Supreme Award for his achievements which included winning the Olympic Gold medal in the 49er class yacht with Peter Burling. The pair had a record number of wins at regattas leading up until the Olympics where they asserted their class, winning the gold medal before the last race. On top of this they retained their World Champion status for the second consecutive year.

Rose King took out the Top Energy Sportswoman of the Year for her achievements in Waka Ama while the Team of the Year went to the Herberts on Tour Waka Ama team.  The Club of Year was jointly shared between the Kaeo Rugby Sports Club and the Kaikohe Rugby Football as recognition for their community contribution and how well they looked after their members.

A feature of the night was the acknowledgement by the Mayor of the FNDC John Carter of the athletes and coaches that went to Rio. Along with Blair Tuke, was Paralympian Chris Sharp (Para sailing) and Ah Chong Sam Chong (Athletics Coach).

The planned guest speaker Portia Woodman, had to change her plans due to travelling to the World Rugby Awards in England following her selection as a finalist for the World Women’s Sevens Player of the Year Awards .

Sport Northland will recognise her achievements in Rio with her Olympic pin presentation in another forum later in the year.

“It was great to have a full house on hand to acknowledge the achievements of our Far North Sportspeople,” said Sport Northland Community Sport Advisor Ryan Maraki, “it shows how proud our Far North people are of the achievements of their own and are keen to support and acknowledge them”

120 guests including finalists and supporters sponsors and FNDC representatives saw  54 winners announced from 83 finalists.

Far North Sports Awards 2016 Winners

Far North District Council Supreme Award                          
Blair Tuke            Sailing

Top Energy Sportsman of the Year                                          
Blair Tuke             Sailing

Top Energy Sportswoman of the Year                                     
Rose King             Waka Ama 
                                                                                      
Fullers Great Sights Team of the Year                                     
Herberts on Tour Waka Ama Team

Fullers Great Sights Youth Team of the Year                        
Team Fat Oysters – Waka Ama

Sport NZ Club of the Year                                                          
Kaeo Rugby Sports Club
Kaikohe Rugby Football & Sports Club

Shackleton’s Unichem Pharmacy Service to Sport                
Dean Harrison - Football
Jim Larkins – Swimming & Rugby League
Bernard Goodhue – Rugby
Allan Martin – Rugby
Anna Pospisil & Louise Thomson Marshall -Waka Ama

Far North District Council Contribution to Club Sport     
Maurice Rogers – Kaikohe Rugby
Hoani Hippolite – Kaikohe Touch
Graham Wilson – Kerikeri Rugby

ThermaTech Leadership Award                                                
Taal Smith – Kaikohe Sportville

ThermaTech Coach of the year                                                 
Ah Chong Sam Chong - Athletics              

Steinlager Pure Official of the year                                          
Celia Honiss - Swimming

Pacific Motor Group Masters Sportsperson of the Year 
Trish Muldrock – Power Lifting
Nyree King – Waka Ama

ASB Code & Youth Achievement Awards
Female
Aimee Leaming – Youth Achievement – GymSports - Aerobics
Freda Riwai - Basketball
Dakota – Li Lum – Youth Achievement Cross fit
Rebecca Donovan – Youth Achievement - Equestrian
Brooke Kingi– Golf
Elleanor Kelly – GymSports - Tumbling
Samantha Wasson - Hockey
Teuarangi Tana – Youth Achievement Karate
Rowena Davis-Cooper – Netball
Lisa Mather – Youth Achievement Netball
Krystal Murray – Rugby|
Krystal Murray – Rugby League
Nirelle McDonald – Squash
Kayla Wikaire-Mackie – Youth Achievement Touch
Sam Lahood - Unicycling
Rose King – Waka Ama

Male
Ben Armstrong – AFL
Rewi McPherson - Basketball
Kyle Chen – Youth Achievement Boxing
Kelly Lum – Youth Achievement Cross fit
Dan Johnson – Football
Taylor Gill – Golf
Andrew van der Linden – GymSports Artistic Gymnastics
Grayson Javins – Hockey
Chris Sharp – Parafed Sailing
Jack Ram – Rugby
Brady Rush – Youth Achievement Rugby
Eli George – Rugby League
Te Kahi Nathan – Youth Achievement Rugby League
Blair Tuke – Sailing
Tim Robinson – Ocean Swimming
Nat Blud – Youth Achievement Swimming
Whitiora Hoani-Tipene – Youth Achievement Touch
Tupu King – Waka Ama
Arapo Kellnar – Youth Achievement Wrestling