Water skiers mop up major titles

Toni Atkinson

Waterskiing was the big winner at the Kaipara District Communities Sports Awards.

A competitor won the Sportswoman of the Year title and the Northland Water Ski Team was awarded the Team of the Year prize.

Toni Atkinson was named Sportswoman of the Year for being a member of the New Zealand Water Ski under 21 team, coming ninth in the women's jump and 12th overall at the Under 21 World Water Ski Champs.

She was third overall in the under 21 age group at the Australia versus New Zealand Challenge, and also gained three gold medals in the open women's jump, under 21 women's slalom and jump as well as a silver medal for under 21 women overall. She also got the Silver Star Trophy at the New Zealand National Water Ski Champs

Gaining the Sportsman of the Year title at the awards was Sonatane Takulua.

Takulua played in the Tongan Rugby sevens team at the World Championships in Russia before representing Northland in sevens and 15-a-side. He was also in the Mid Northern rugby team which won the premiership.

The Northland Water Ski Team, who won Team of the Year, were winners of the team shield at the New Zealand National Water Ski Champs at Piarere in March for a fourth straight win.

About 140 attended the ceremony at the Maungaturoto Country Club to be part of the annual acknowledgement of sporting excellence in the Kaipara District Communities.

From the 52 individual, club and team finalists, 29 individual awards and four team/club awards were made at the 16th annual Kaipara Sports Awards run by Sport Northland.

AWARD WINNERS

Youth Achievement Awards

Hugh Thomson (Powerlifting).

Curtis Cullen (Motocross).

Daniel Fulop (Rugby League).

Annmarie Holst (Squash).

Bradley James (Athletics, Bowls).

Michelle Schmanski (Squash).

Rhys Shadbolt (Athletics, Rugby, Swimming).

Lachlan Sidwell (Motocross).

Kaipara Junior Team of the Year

Rangimaria Year 8 Netball team.

Code Award winners

Toni Atkinson: Waterskiing.

Jordan Bennett: Powerlifting.

Sarah Debruin: Highland Dancing.

Brian Froggatt: Parafed, Powerlifting.

Samantha La Hood: Unicycling.

Allister Langridge: Hockey.

Jodi Macalister: Golf.

Mirna Manuell: Squash.

Solomone Palu: Rugby League.

Kevin Robinson: Bowls.

Sonatane Takulua: Rugby.

Phillip Tana: Squash.

Shane Tregidga: Karate.

Curtis Williams: Waterskiing.

Contribution to the Community by a Club Award

Otamatea Gymnastics Club.

Coach of the year

Phillip Tana (Squash).

Administrator of the Year

Sarah Wainwright (Waterskiing).

Referee/Umpire of the year

Carlrine Gillespie (Swimming).

Master Sportsperson of the Year

Karen Thomson (Powerlifting).

The Barry Markwick Memorial Service to Sport Awards

Anne Bailie (Swimming).

Pete Hargreaves (Rugby).

John Bruce (Multiple Sports).

Club of the Year

Northern Wairoa Bulls Rugby League and Sports Club.

Team of the Year

Northland Water Ski Team/Kai Iwi Lakes Waterski Team (Waterskiing).

Sportsman of the Year

Sonatane Takulua (Rugby).

Sportswoman of the Year

Toni Atkinson (Waterskiing).