The past, present and future stars of east Auckland’s sporting community have been recognised for their outstanding talents and achievements at this year’s Howick Sports Awards.
The awards are organised by Amanda Dyason and funded by the Howick Local Board.
Several hundred people turned out to the glitzy awards night staged at the Howick Pakuranga Community Sports Centre on September 24.
New Zealand Silver Ferns netball legend Irene van Dyk entertained the audience as guest speaker.
Wendy Meyer, who served as the night’s MC, read out a summary of the contributions and achievements of each finalist, with evening kicking off with the Administrator of the Year Award.
The finalists were Richette Rodger of Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre, Matthew Leach of Howick Gymnastics Club, Martin Ellis of Bucklands Beach Association Football Club (BBAFC) and Amy Edwards-Maas of BBAFC, with Rodger being named the winner.
Next up was Masters Athlete of the Year, with the award going to Ron Johnson, the category’s only finalist.
The finalists in the Coach of the Year category were Tania Tuinukuafe of Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre, Rhys Ruka of Fencibles United Association Football Club, Warwick McCarthy of BBAFC, and David Bishop of Howick Gymnastics Club, with Bishop taking out the award.
Meyer said Bishop coached gymnasts to success at the 2024 New Zealand Nationals, securing a gold and bronze medals, with one of his athletes trialling for the national team.
“He also leads programmes for adults, pre-schoolers and athletes with disabilities.
“David is a leader in inclusivity and innovation, shaping club culture and mentoring the next generation of coaches.”
The night then moved to the next batch of awards, including Junior Sportswoman of the Year.
The finalists were Jessica Ready of East Skate Club, Jordan Viljoen of Pakuranga Athletic Club and Pakuranga College, Leah Marais of Pakuranga Athletic Club and Pakuranga College, Taylah Byers of Botany Downs Secondary College, Avah Silva of Howick College, and Cara Tang of Botany Downs Secondary College, with the award going to Ready.
Meyer said at just 15 years of age Ready has made history for New Zealand skateboarding.
This year she became the first Kiwi to win a medal at the X-Games, the biggest stage in action sports, taking out bronze in the women’s street competition.
“Domestically, she dominated the national scene, winning first-place at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Skateboarding Championships, New Zealand Skateboard Nationals, and NZ X Air.
“Jessica isn’t just a champion athlete. She mentors younger skaters, training at local facilities and inspiring the next generation of girls in action sports.”
The finalists in the Junior Sportsman of the Year category were Dwayne Li of Paradice Ice Skating, Blake McKinnon of Bucklands Beach Yacht Club and Counties Manukau Orienteering, Kevin Edwards of Warrior Club and Pakuranga College, Jai Matene of the Mountain Raiders BMX Club, and Alex Botha and Connor Bowden of Botany Downs Secondary College.
The award went to Li, who Meyer said finished the 2024 figure skating season ranked fourth in the world on the Junior Grand Prix circuit, “a phenomenal achievement for a young New Zealander competing against the best globally”.
“Dwayne’s achievements are even more inspiring considering his journey is largely self-funded.
“He trains at Paradice Botany while attending Macleans College, balancing elite sport with schoolwork.
“Known for his quiet humility and incredible work ethic, Dwayne is an outstanding role model for young athletes nationwide.”
The finalists in the Sportswoman of the Year category were Marielle Venida of Pakuranga Athletic Club, Mia Laban of Howick Pakuranga Swim Club, and Molly Penfold of Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club. The award went to Verida, who Meyer said has earned her place with the country’s top sprinters.
“She represented New Zealand at the World Under-20 Championships in Peru and the World University Games in Germany, making semi-finals in the 100 metres and 200 metres and narrowly missing further rounds by fractions.
“Regionally she shone too. Gold at the New Zealand Senior Women’s 200 metres, bronze in the 100 metres at the New Zealand Track and Field Championships, gold medals in the Philippines Athletics Championships, fifth at the Oceania Championships, and bronze at the Sir Graeme Douglas Meet.”
The finalists in the Sportsman of the Year award were Lachlan Stackpole of Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club, netball player Lucas Cooke, and Harlyn Saunoa of Pakuranga United Rugby Club (PURC), Randall Baker of PURC, and rugby league player Connor Bowden of BDSC, with the award going to Saunoa.
Meyer said he’s had a remarkable year, debuting in Premiers senior rugby, being selected for the Blues under-20s side, representing New Zealand at the U20 World Cup, “and scoring a memorable hat-trick versus South Africa”.
“He was rewarded with an Auckland Rugby contract and has since been loaned to North Harbour to compete in the National Provincial Championship.
“He’s quickly become one of New Zealand’s most promising young rugby players with strong performances, work ethic and character.”
The finalists for Official of the Year were Logan Assink of Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre, Brett Kimpton of Pakuranga United Touch, and ice hockey referee Haydon Potter of BDSC, with the award going to Kimpton.
Up for Volunteer of the Year were Denise Hill of Farm Cove Intermediate School, Kelly Simpson of Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre, Kaitlyn Wade of Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre, Chris Day of Pakuranga Athletic Club, Daryl Hamilton of Fencibles United AFC, and Greg Buckley of the Mountain Raiders BMX Club, with Day taking out the award.
In the Junior Team of the Year award, the finalists were Competition Team Howick Rhythmics, Premier 1 Netball Howick College, Senior Girls Rugby Sevens Howick College, Girls’ Rugby First XV Howick College, with Premier 1 Netball Howick College being named the winner.
Moving to Team of the Year, the finalists were Masters Pakuranga Athletic Club, Premier Men’s Team Howick Pakuranga Hockey Club, and the Under-85kg Black Panthers at PURC.
The award went to the Black Panthers, who last year won the New Zealand Rugby U85kg National Cup final.
In the College of the Year category, the sole finalist was Howick College.
In the category of Internationalist of the Year, the finalists were Molly Penfold of Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club, Dwayne Li of Allegro Ice Dance Club, and Amelia Walmsley of Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre, with Walmsley winning the award.
The penultimate award was for Club of the Year. The finalists were Pakuranga Golf Club, Fencibles United AFC, Howick Gymnastics Club, and Howick Pakuranga Hockey Club.
Meyer announced Howick Pakuranga Hockey Club as the winner and said it celebrated its 50th year last year, boasting eight Black Sticks players including five Olympians and a strong national and regional presence.
“The club’s teams won titles including the top club and top men’s club trophies.
“The youth programme featured 220 players across 18 teams supported by 26 coaches and managers.
“The club runs successful pre-season and school holiday coaching clinics and a return-to-hockey women’s programme fosters female participation and competitive women’s teams.”
The final award of the night was for Service to Sport, with the finalists all sharing the award.
They are Allison Tranter of Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre, Angela Jaksic of Howick Gymnastics Club, and Bruce Moran of East Skate Club.
