Review: Northern Advocate's People's Choice 'Good Sort' award finalists

People can vote either by sending an email to sports@northernadvocate.co.nz with their preferred finalist in the subject line or vote on our new poll following the link in this story. Photo / File

Over the past three weeks, we have profiled the five finalists for the Northern Advocate's People's Choice award for a community sport "Good Sort". Every one of our finalists has given great service to their community in a number of different codes and would all be deserving of this award.

We have received great feedback and appreciation from the Northland community, telling us how valuable these people are, so we expect the race to win the award will be a tight one!

From today, you will be able to vote for the person you believe should win this award. You can vote by sending an email with your preferred finalist in the subject line to sports@northernadvocate.co.nz or go to the online voting poll from the link which will be on our Facebook page and in the online version of this story. To use the voting poll, all you need to do is enter your name, click on the person you wish to vote for and click send.

We will close voting on Sunday, March 10 at 5pm, when the votes will be counted and the winner announced at the Northland Sports Awards on Friday, March 15.

To make sure the achievements of our finalists are fresh in your minds, here is a brief summary of their outstanding service worthy of the community sport "Good Sorts" award.

Raewyn Heywood (Tennis Northland)

Heywood's long tenure as a member of Tennis Northland has cemented her place in the region's tennis history. Photo / John Stone

Heywood's service to tennis started as a 5-year-old junior player and has not stopped to this day. At 62 years of age, she is now the president of Tennis Northland after being a treasurer and club member for over two decades.

"I love everything about tennis," she said.

"It's always been in my life from the time I was about 5 years old, when we were dragged along with Mum to the courts."

Heywood was a driving force in getting the new courts laid at the Thomas Neale tennis centre in Kamo - the home of Northland tennis. After seeing success in the sport in New Zealand and Australia, she still plays, often alongside her daughter Shelley.

It is her longevity and commitment to seeing tennis in Northland thrive as to why she would be a great recipient of this award.

Derek Browning (Tane the Taniwha)

The 41-year-old Whangārei ITM employee has loved being a mascot since his first game in 2013. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Going into his seventh year as Tane the Taniwha, Derek Browning is excited as ever to further the legacy of Northland Rugby's mascot.

The 41-year-old has not missed a game at home or away in over 50 matches as the famed mascot, travelling the country, often on his own time, so he wouldn't break the tradition.

"You feel like Superman because when you put this suit on, you're a superhero. It's just a really cool feeling," he said.

"I love the history and the legacy it has, the history we are making together."

After a tough time in his own life, Browning pulled himself out and pulled on the costume, and he hasn't looked back since. Taking time out of his own job to put smiles on the faces of thousands of children is why he would be a deserved winner of the good sorts award.

Sharon Carroll (Parafed Northland)

Sharon Carroll works for a number of volunteer groups and loves the opportunity to help people have an active lifestyle. Photo / John Stone

Rewarding Sharon for her work with Parafed Northland does not give the full picture of how influential this woman has been in her community.

Carroll's extensive volunteering record includes working for organisations like Swimming Northland as meet director and events committee member, Bream Bay swim club, Bream Bay College, Waipū Lions Club as treasurer, as well as organising countless fun runs, walks, cycle events and fundraisers to help her local community.

"I am definitely busy but if you love what you do, it never seems like a job," she said.

"I love helping the community. The payback you get far outweighs any work that you do so I feel very lucky and privileged for the people I work with."

Starting her job at Parafed in January this year was just the start of another way Carroll can help her community get more active and why she is a great finalist for the community sport award.

Vicki Macdonald (Whangārei Academy of Gymnastics)

For over 40 years, Vicki Macdonald has been involved in Whangārei gymnastics and she has no intention of stopping. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Macdonald's tenure in Whangārei gymnastics started when she was 7 years old and, four decades later, her passion has not faded.

Overcoming a fight with cancer which doctors told her she would lose, Macdonald has ushered generations of new Northland gymnasts through the local academy. The shining light of her achievements was over 20 years of petitioning for the Trigg Sports Arena to be built.

The facility was opened six years ago and was now the home of the WAGS programme, which gave Macdonald a great deal of satisfaction.

"My kids are still the most important thing in my life, but gymnastics absolutely consumes me and I think about it all the time, it really is my passion," she said.

"We do really make a difference in community as we have the ability to give kids the confidence to do what they didn't think was possible, and you can't put a price on that."

Macdonald had no plans to give up her position and this determination made her a great candidate of the award.

Belinda Edwards (women's rugby)

As the newest addition to the Northland Rugby board, Edwards has her sights set on furthering women's rugby in the region. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Anyone excited about Northland's resurgence in women's rugby has Belinda Edwards to thank.

Along with other key figures in Northland's rugby community, she has raised the profile of women's rugby through her many volunteer positions, including coach of the Kerikeri High School sevens team, a rugby club committee member and was just recently appointed to the Northland Rugby board.

She achieved what many see as a catalyst for the resurgence in the Far North when her Kerikeri High School sevens team won their grade at the national secondary schools Condor Sevens tournament in 2017.

"We've got a good group of players now, so we need to think about the future and that's what I want to see," Edwards said.

"It's a real passion of mine to make Northland a place that people want to be and stay because the call from Hamilton and Auckland with a full scholarship is too good to turn down."

With her new-found power as a part of the rugby board, Edwards' work which made her a deserved finalist for the award, will hopefully continue.