Megan Hull, seen in action on the hockey field, scooped two awards at the Downer Tararua Sports Awards. Photo / Supplied
Connor Anderson was thrilled to hear he had won Junior Sportsman of the Year in the Downer Tararua Sports Awards.
It was a big year for the 16-year-old who last year won not only the North Island Golden Gloves title in boxing for his weight category, but went on to win the national title.
"I'm pretty stoked," he said, adding that his nomination and subsequent award topped off what had been a good year for him.
In the awards, it was noted that Connor, who started training in boxing before the age of 10, was very committed to the sport.
His coach, Adam Jones, also won the award for Coach of the Year.
The sports awards were held as a virtual event this year, livestreamed via Facebook, and Connor was watching last Friday with his family in the comfort of his home.
Others were watching from the Dannevirke Sports clubrooms and Bush Multi-Sport in Pahiatua.
Megan Hull, from Pongaroa, who was co-captain of the Vantage Black Sticks women's hockey team, won Sportsperson of the Year and Supreme Sportsperson of the Year.
By livestreaming, it was broadcast to more people, they could see what the award was all about, hear all the nominations and why people were nominated, rather than just seeing a name on a piece of paper.
Next year, being a live event, there was a possibility of also livestreaming to a wider audience.
"I think that's what's come from Covid and the lockdown," Sole said. "We're getting more creative with things like that."
MC Kieran McAnulty had a tough job when calling out the winners.
"There's no clapping, no atmosphere, no one there to kind of give the energy. He did a great job, but obviously a live event is what we want."
Sole said she was pleased for both Adam and Connor, saying they deserved their respective awards.
Megan Hull - Sportsperson of the Year and Supreme Sportsperson of the Year Abby Treder - Junior Sportswoman of the Year Connor Anderson - Junior Sportsman of the Year Adam Jones - Coach of the Year Ken Metekingi - Official of the Year Bexx Brown - Administrator/Volunteer of the Year Ngati Kahungunu ki Tamaki Nui a Rua U15 Tama Basketball - Team of the Year Community Play/Active Recreation Initiative of the Year - Bush Multisports Trust Covid-19 Response Award - Central and Southern Hawke's Bay Show Jumping Club