Waikato talent celebrated at Blues Awards
17 October 2016
More than 40 outstanding sport and arts students were recognised at this year’s Wallace Corporation University of Waikato Blues Awards.
Held at the Claudelands Arena on Friday night, the event recognised students who show national and international excellence in their chosen fields.
Major award winners:
Olympic rower Zoe Stevenson was named Sportswoman of the Year for the third year running, while waka ama and canoe champ Tupuria King took out Athletes House Sportsman of the Year. Women’s sevens player Stacey Waaka received the Pou Ahurea Award for Māori Person of the Year and opera singer Jonathan Eyers was named Creative and Performing Arts Person of the Year.
The new Emerging Talent Award was given to two students, one for sport and one for arts, in their first year of study who show a promising career in their chosen discipline.
Jonathan Mayer received the award for his talents in playing the organ and Holly White received hers for showing promise in cycling.
The Emerging Talent Awards are sponsored by University of Waikato alumnus and athletics champion Peter Ayson. Peter was a Blues awardee in 1974, the year he won the New Zealand Junior 400 metre championship and broke the New Zealand 400m under 19 record.
All six major award winners are Sir Edmund Hillary Scholars.
Other major awards presented on the night:
University Club of the Year – Hamilton Star University Cricket Club
Don Llewellyn Trophy Sports Team of the Year – University of Waikato Premier netball team
Sports Coach of the Year – Rebecca Gabel (Aotearoa Māori Secondary Schools netball team, Aotearoa U20 netball team and Waikato University Premier netball team)
Service Award – Kevin Bradley (Waikato University Rugby Football Club U21 coach and the University Rugby Coaching Co-ordinator)
Margaret Nicholson Long Service Award – Damian Morrow (Life Member of Hamilton Star University Cricket Club)
Creative and Performing Arts Group of the Year – Evoco Trio (piano)
See the full list of 2016 Blues winners.
The Wallace Corporation University of Waikato Blues Awards are sponsored by Wallace Corporation and the Waikato Students’ Union.