Bream Bay's Junior Sportsperson of the Year Abby Wright. Photo/Marilyn Cox
Bream Bay's Junior Sportsperson of the Year Abby Wright. Photo/Marilyn Cox
BREAM BAY NEWS
Sports administrator takes top Award
The supreme award at this year's Bream Bay Sports Awards went to a sports administrator.
Mike Davies, nominated by Bream Bay United Football Club, won the leadership trophy earlier in the evening with judges commenting: "Mike's impressive people and administrative skills need to be acknowledged", also saying, "he has made a significant impact in the football club over the last few years, and the plans for the future will have a real, positive impact on sport in the Bream Bay area".
In their comments on the Supreme award, judges said: "It is great to acknowledge the role of administrators in sport. Nothing could be achieved by an individual sportsperson without great clubs, coaches, referees and support systems.
"Mike Davies has provided all of this for his football club and so therefore for the whole of Bream Bay and Northland become the beneficiaries. Tonight, the supreme award is going to the unsung hero in all of us – those who work late into the night, make time for meetings, turn up enthusiastically to all situations and do it all for the love of sport and what it does for our communities".
Junior sportsperson Abby Wright won for the sheer weight of her sporting achievements at the highest levels across a remarkable range of sports – football, swimming, surf lifesaving, tennis, triathlon and cross country.
Judges commented: "Abby has a combination of exceptional talent, dedication and competitiveness that will mean we can expect great things from her in the future."
Junior team of the year went to the Bream Bay Trist hockey team, which also picked up the People's Choice award, with 535 votes. They won 18 games in a row in the top Northland grade in their age group.
Bream Bay College and Whangārei Boys' High School rugby league teams after their match. BBC gained a special mention from the judges. Photo/Mike Swords
Bream Bay College's rugby league team also gained a special mention from the judges for their achievement in winning their competition.
The complete list of winners to receive trophies at last Friday's awards evening is: Junior Sportsperson – Abby Wright, Junior Team – Bream Bay Trist, Coach of the Year – Stephen Cunis, Leadership in Sport – Mike Davies, Masters Sportsperson – Wayne Wrack, Referee – Tania Ahrens, Service to Sport – Jim Urlich, Community Impact – Louise Wickham, Senior Team – Northpine Waipu Premier Rugby Team, Sportswoman – Kylie Jacoby, Sportsman – Ross McFarlane, People's Choice – Bream Bay Trist, Supreme Award – Mike Davies.
Bream Bay book party fun
More than 500 children from around Northland descended on Ruakākā's Village Green last Saturday for the fourth annual Pukapuka Party, organised by Bream Bay's Learning Community to celebrate and promote learning and literacy.
Geronimo Stilton was a hit with the kids at Saturday's Pukapuka Party - here he is with fairy Angel Turne and children Piper Innes (left) and Zeeva Sutton. Photo/supplied
Organisers say children from Kamo to Warkworth experienced a great day of free activities and went home with a bag full of goodies, including age appropriate reading books and stationery.
Volunteers made the day possible, with support from Marsden Lions, local primary school and early childhood teachers, community groups and businesses, along with major sponsors Lakeside Business Park.
Mascot Pukapuka Pete was a huge hit with children, along with Geronimo Stilton and Clifford the Big Red Dog, and several Bream Bay College students dressed up as book characters.
Winning start to season Bream Bay College's rugby league team kicked off their season with a home game against Whangārei Boys High School, with Warriors player Adam Blair watching from the side-lines.
The Northland Secondary School tournament, which Bream Bay won last year, is named in his honour.
Bream Bay's manager Junie Shelford says the team started well. "But their lack of pre-season training and fitness definitely was the decider in the end". Bream Bay lost the game on the field, but as the Whangārei Boys team fielded several unregistered players, they won the match on paper.
"This year's side is relatively young with a few year 10 players joining the team," says Shelford.
"Co-captains Ed Shelford and Klies Kaiarake led from the front with some barnstorming runs and excellent defensive efforts, with other impressive performances by Nate Colmer, Trey Smart and Tyzak Hita-Duval. Try scorer was Eruera Shelford.
Have your say in Bream Bay's future
You can have a say in Bream Bay's future on March 12 when the Ruakākā Residents and Ratepayers Association hosts Whangārei District Council senior staff at an annual plan consultation.
Council staff will display and describe proposals they intend to include in their 2019-2020 plan and invite comments from Bream Bay residents. Bream Bay councillors will be there, and all residents are welcome to come along and make their needs and views known.
The meeting starts at 6.30pm in the Ruakākā Recreation Centre Lounge and includes a light supper.
This Saturday Ruakākā Recreation Centre is looking for volunteers to help paint the building interior. The centre received a Foundation North grant for new carpet and vinyl – but before the new flooring is laid, they need to paint the walls. If you have time and would like to help, call Christine on 432 7962 or email ruakakarec@xtra.co.nz
Trials for year 7/8 hockey players
Trials are coming up soon for Bream Bay's year 7/8 hockey teams. Teams will be selected on ability and graded accordingly.
If your child is in this age bracket and keen to make a top team, email managers@campuwaipucove.com. Goalies are also required, please email in advance to ensure enough goalie gear is available.
Players should bring stick, mouthguard, shin pads and drink and be prepared for skill-based drills and fitness assessment followed by a two-minute game on the Currie Electrical Turf at the Kensington Hockey Centre in Whangārei, 4.30pm-5.30pm March 14 and 5pm-6pm March 19.
