For the second consecutive year, Lachie Kirk was announced as the Central Hawke’s Bay Sportsperson of the Year at the celebration event on Saturday evening.

The 2024 Central Hawke’s Bay Sport and Recreation Awards were held at the CHB Municipal Theatre in front of 165 people on Saturday evening. Following a difficult year for the region post Cyclone Gabrielle, the awards were an opportunity for the sport and recreation sector to come together and celebrate success from across the District over the past 12 months.

The event was opened by Sport Hawke’s Bay CE, Ryan Hambleton and Central Hawke’s Bay Mayor, Alex Walker. Both acknowledged the community for their ongoing support and commitment and called on all to get in behind future events by nominating and recognising those who are making a difference across Central Hawke’s Bay.

The Mayor also highlighted the high calibre of young or emerging athletes that were both being recognised on the night and who are achieving at the highest of level in their chosen sport. This was supported with 5 athletes being recognised as finalists for the New World Waipukurau Emerging Athlete and an additional 6 athletes for the Caltex Waipukurau Junior Sportsperson. In a rarity, these awards were claimed by brother sister gymsports duo Caitlin and Lachie Kirk.

Rachel Gunson, CHB Community Advisor at Sport Hawke’s Bay said, “the awards play an important role in celebrating our District and this year it was extra special to bring everyone together and reflect on what has been a difficult year for so many”.

“Cyclone Gabrielle had a major impact on our communities, but as is evident tonight through the finalists and stories of success, these communities have shown resilience and a can-do attitude to push through and be successful on so many levels”.

Kirk has continued to prove himself over the past 12 months. Unable to attend on the evening due to university commitments, Kirk was represented by his parents who accepted the Caltex Waipukurau Junior Sportsperson and the Central Hawke’s Bay Supreme Sportsperson Awards on his behalf. Achievements over the past 12 months have included, claiming the senior men’s overall national champion at the National Championship event in July 2023. This included claiming the tumbling and double mini titles.

Winners from 11 categories were announced on the evening with Ross Holden from the Holden on Sport radio programme emceeing the event. The evening started with a special award that recognised the inspirational comeback tale of Jo Baker. The ‘Inspirational Athlete Award’ recognised Baker as she recovered from surgery for a life-threatening traumatic brain injury, having crashed from her bike during a race. She had also broken 14 bones on the right side of her body, from her pelvis to her head. Through a painstaking recovery, Baker went on to compete at the World Age Group Triathlon Championships in Spain alone with a number of other events.

Former Central Hawke’s Bay College and The Terrace student, Fiona Bourke was inducted into the Brebner Print Hall of Fame. Unable to attend on the evening, Fiona’s parents accepted the award on her behalf.

Within two years of starting as an 18-year-old novice in 2008, Fiona was part of the NZ U23 Women’s 8, winning a silver medal in Belarus in 2010. Following her impressive debut in the international arena, Fiona was selected into the NZ Elite team to compete in the 2010 World Rowing Championships held at Lake Karapiro. Fiona raced in the Women’s Quadruple scull placing 6th. 

Rowing in the Women’s Quadurple scull the following year at the 2011 World Cup regattas, Fiona secured two 3rd place finishes before qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics with another Bronze Medal finish in Slovenia at the World Championships.  Unfortunately, during the Olympics in London a broken oar in the repechage saw the quad miss the A final and raced to win the B final securing 7^th place overall. 

Giving back to the sport whilst helping other young female athletes ensure their education and well-being is taken care of was important to Fiona – the value of athletes having an identity outside of sport, being good people and not being afraid to pursue other passions alongside their sport has led Fiona to be employed by the national rowing body as an International Pathway Lead.

The Forsyth Barr Community Initiative Award went to Claire Wilson and her team who deliver the Winter Olympic event – a community fundraising phenomenon that is a grassroots showjumping event held annually in CHB that gives horse and pony riders of all levels a fun and encouraging competition experience.

The money raised by the Winter Olympics event over the past 17 years has supported numerous local schools, non-profit organisations and charities - contributing significantly to the groups' resources. For last year's recipient, EPIC Charitable Youth Trust received an incredible $34,500 which has been used to purchase and upgrade all sorts of equipment across the EPIC Centre. This enables EPIC to arrive at schools with a trailer packed with games and equipment to run activities through lunchtimes, or to create fun initiatives which support Community events involving CHB youth.

Joel Hintz, the Central Rugby and Sport prop had a stellar year and this was recognised as he was named the DAC Legal Senior Sportsperson of the Year. Hintz has been a stalwart for the CHB Premier team for the past 5 years. Alongside his club commitments he is a regular for the Hawke's Bay Magpies and to top off the year he cemented a starting spot for the season with the Magpies, making it to the finals just falling short 19-22 to Taranaki. As a result of his year, Hintz was offered a contract to play in America for the New England Freejacks, going on to win the major league rugby competition.

Ryan Hambleton, Chief Executive for Sport Hawke’s Bay noted “these awards are special to not only the region but the whole team at Sport Hawke’s Bay.”

“We are proud to support the event and celebrate a sector we are all passionate about. From the opening award to Jo, who is an amazing and inspirational athlete to recognising the Winter Olympic event and through the once again celebrating the achievements of Lachie Kirk, the CHB community should be proud of what is achieved here”.

The Central Hawke’s Bay Sport and Recreation Awards are proudly bought to you by Sport Hawke’s Bay and supported by Central Hawke’s Bay District Council.

A full list of winners is below.

Sport Hawke’s Bay Inspirational Athlete Award – Jo Baker, Triathlon

Findex Volunteer of the Year – Nick White, Central Rugby

Forsyth Barr Community Initiative – Winter Olympics, Showjumping

Ruahine Motors Community Coach of the Year – Alonso Fernandez, CHB Swim Club

LMS Insure Service to Sport – Tony Mackie, Central Rugby

New World Waipukurau Emerging Athlete – Cailin Kirk, Athletics and Gymsports

Brebner Print Hall of Fame – Fiona Bourke, Rowing

Aqua Management Club of the Year – CHB Swim Club

Plus Rehab Team of the Year – Ongaonga Golf Club

Caltex Waipukurau Junior Sportsperson – Lachie Kirk, Gymsport

DAC Legal Senior Sportsperson – Joel Hintz, Rugby Union

Central Hawke’s Bay Senior Sportsperson of the Year – Lachie Kirk, Gymsport

Article added: Monday 27 May 2024