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Otago Daily Times
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Wānaka athletes claim top awards
Snowboarder Zoi-Sadowski-Synnott. PHOTO: ODT FILES Wānaka athletes stood out at the 2025 Forsyth Barr Central Otago Sports Awards held in Wānaka last week. Snowboarder and Olympian Zoi-Sadowski-Synnott was named sportswoman of the year while sportsman of the year went to Wanaka's Luke Harrold for his efforts on the freeski halfpipe. Other local winners included alpine skier Adam Hall who won para athlete of the year and Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College senior student Ryan Enoka (athletics, karate and rugby) who won the junior spirit of Central Otago award. The annual awards, hosted by Sport Central, brought together 200 people from the region's sporting whānau to celebrate sporting excellence as well as the spirit, passion, and people who make Central Otago a powerhouse of sporting talent, Sport Central sport and active recreation adviser Jo Knight said. "The judges had an incredibly tough job this year, which reflects the calibre of talent in Central Otago," Ms Knight said. "The finalists seem to raise the bar every year." "All categories were hotly contested, with so many national and international champions and multiple athletes breaking local, international and world records." Ms Knight said Sport Central extended its congratulations to all award winners, nominees, and those who continue to give their time, energy, and passion to sport in Central Otago. Full list of winners: Gary Anderson Sound and Vision Sportswoman of the Year: Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (Snowboard Big Air and Slopestyle) Central Lakes Construction Sportsman of the Year: Finn Butcher (Kayak Cross) Gallaway Cook Allan Junior Sportsman of the Year: Luke Harrold (Freeski Halfpipe) Health 2000 Wānaka Junior Sportswoman of the Year: Heidi Winter (Ice Swimming) Jennian Homes Team of the Year: Sky City Stampede (Ice Hockey) Workplace First Aid Coach of the Year: Nils Coberger (Alpine Ski Racing) Otago Polytechnic Para Athlete of the Year: Adam Hall (Skiing) Ray White Wānaka Junior Spirit of Central Otago Award: Ryan Enoka (Athletics, Karate and Rugby) Wānaka Physiotherapy Senior Spirit of Central Otago Award: Shane Norton (Football) Findex Official of the Year: Adam Nagy (Ice Hockey) John Fitzharris Trophy for Services to Sport: Flick Wallace (Snow Sports) Forsyth Barr Supreme Award — Bruce Grant Memorial Trophy: Finn Butcher — APL
Otago Daily Times
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Olympians winners in awards
Finn Butcher. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Zoi Sadowski-Synnott. PHOTO: SNOW SPORTS NZ Otago's Olympians won the top prizes at the Central Otago Sports Awards earlier this month. Kayak-cross Olympic gold medal winner Finn Butcher was named sportsman of the year and Olympic snowboarder Zoi Sadowski-Synnott was named sportswoman of the year. Other winners included Wanaka's Luke Harrold, who scooped the junior sportsman of the year award for his efforts on the freeski halfpipe. Alpine skier Adam Hall was named para athlete of the year and Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College senior student Ryan Enoka (athletics, karate and rugby) won the junior spirit of Central Otago award. The annual awards, hosted by Sport Central, brought together 200 people from the region's sporting whānau to celebrate sporting excellence as well as the spirit, passion and people who make Central Otago a powerhouse of sporting talent, Sport Central sport and active recreation adviser Jo Knight said. "The judges had an incredibly tough job this year, which reflects the calibre of talent in Central Otago. ' "The finalists seem to raise the bar every year." "All categories were hotly contested, with so many national and international champions and multiple athletes breaking local, international and world records." Ms Knight said Sport Central extended congratulations to award winners, nominees, and those who gave their time, energy, and passion to sport in Central Otago. — APL
Otago Daily Times
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
BMX coach ‘proud' of award nomination
Cromwell BMX rider, coach and Central Otago Sports Awards Junior Spirit of Central awards finalist Liam King, 13, as he races. PHOTO: SUPPLIED A teenage BMX coach said he was quite proud to be one of the finalists for the 2025 Forsyth Barr Central Otago Sports Awards, to be held in Wānaka in May. Cromwell teen Liam King, who had been involved with BMX since he was 5 said he was surprised to hear he had been nominated for the Junior Spirit of Central Award. "I'm quite proud of myself," he said. This was not the first award Liam had been nominated for this year, with him being named the South Island Coach of the Year at the 2024 BMX New Zealand Awards for his work coaching Cromwell BMX Club's seven and under riders known as sprockets, something he has done for three years. "Yeah, it's an honour to be able to teach the young kids and help them improve with themselves," he said. Liam said he would be absolutely thrilled if he won the award. Alexandra ice swimming sisters Sophie and Heidi Winter were also announced as finalists in this years awards. Sophie, 18, was made a finalist for the Sportswoman of the Year award, while 16-year-old Heidi was a finalist for the Junior Sportswoman of the Year. Sophie said it was great to hear both her and Heidi were finalists. "We really support each other so it's great to be involved together," she said. Heidi said since ice swimming was a relatively new sport in Central Otago so it was great to see it get recognised. When asked about how they would feel should they win the awards, Sophie said there were so many great sportspeople in Central Otago and that it would be great to be alongside them and celebrate together. Heidi said it would be a nice surprise to win. The awards ceremony would recognise the outstanding achievements of athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and teams across Central Otago last year. Sport Central sport and active recreation adviser Jo Knight said the level of competition made it hard for judges to select finalists, let alone winners. "The level of competition made it incredibly difficult for our judging panel to select finalists, let alone winners. It's a wonderful reflection of the dedication and talent that exists across Central Otago," she said. This year's finalists include world champions, Olympians and upcoming talents from a variety of sports including BMX, ice hockey, rugby and rodeo as well as coaches and officials. Sport and active recreation adviser Ben Hamilton said the awards night should be a special celebration for everyone in the Central Otago sports community. "The Forsyth Barr Central Otago Sports Awards are about more than just celebrating individual success — they're a chance for the whole sporting community to come together and celebrate an amazing year," he said. The formal awards dinner would be held at the Lake Wānaka Events Centre on May 8.
