A passion for cricket and a thirst to constantly improve his game have been singled out as the key attributes that led to Tauranga's Kane Williamson being named New Zealand's Sportsman of the Year.
The 25-year-old Black Caps' batsman and handy off-spin bowler won the title at the Halberg Awards from All Black Dan Carter, IndyCar champion Scott Dixon and golfer Danny Lee.
Tauranga's cricketing fraternity was full of praise for the honour bestowed on Williamson who last year became the first Kiwi to top the world test batting rankings.
David Johnston, the coach who played a big part in Williamson's early development, said Kane was already showing a lot of talent when he began coaching him at age 10.
He is humble and a fantastic ambassador in terms of sport. He does not seek the limelight and shares the credit with his team.
"His dad Brett had done a lot of work with him in his formative years. The big thing was his desire to learn and huge work ethic. It was his thirst to get better and better."
Mr Johnston worked with him through his teenage years and was there as a sounding board when Williamson began with Northern Districts' age group squads.
"He used to talk about the things he had learned. It is important to have the one person to come back to, to float ideas past."
Mr Johnston said the over-riding thing about Williamson was his passion for the game. "He has worked hard for it and was very respectful of the game and those in it. I have not heard anyone have a bad thing to say about Kane except for bowlers that can't get him out."
New Zealand Sportsman of the Year Black Cap Kane Williamson during the 2016 Halber Awards at Vector Arena. Photo / Getty Images
Tauranga Boys' College principal Robert Mangan said the school was very proud of its former head boy.
When he took over as principal in 2008, Williamson was captaining the New Zealand under-19 team.
"We also had Pete Burling at the school - he was the sports captain," Mr Mangan said, noting that yachties Burling and Blair Tuke were Halberg finalists for the Team of the Year having won every regatta they entered in 2015.
Mr Mangan said Williamson's win was the focus of yesterday's school assembly, with a photo of the ex-pupil projected on to the big screen.
He said Williamson was an inspiration for the boys, not only for his playing achievements but the way he conducted himself.
"He is humble and a fantastic ambassador in terms of sport. He does not seek the limelight and shares the credit with his team."
Mr Mangan will be inviting Williamson to a school assembly where his achievements would be honoured with a full school haka.
Bay of Plenty Cricket chief executive Paul Reid said Williamson was inspiring a new generation of cricketers and was an endorsement of the work the association and everyone else was putting into developing young players.
He said Williamson's talent was born out of persistence and commitment.
