Outstanding season of football rewarded

Marquis Wairarapa United were crowned Supreme Winners at the Wairarapa Times-Age Sports Awards held at the Copthorne Solway Park resort on Wednesday evening.

There to receive the award were team coach Phil Keinzley along with players Adam Cowan, Miroslav Travoh, Niki Keinzley and Dale Higham.

The award was in recognition of their outstanding season of football which culminated in the capture of the coveted Chatham Cup, the pinnacle of football competitions in New Zealand, a first for this region.

This achievement crowned a season which saw United finish runners-up in the Central League football competition. They were narrowly pipped to the title by Miramar Rangers but have made a strong start this season, which has seen them establish a handy four-point lead at the top of the league table already. They are on track to take out the coveted title of league champions which eluded them in 2011.

It's a case of so far so good in their defence of the Chatham Cup, having dispatched New Plymouth side Rangers in the first leg last weekend. The next hurdle comes in the shape of last year's defeated finalists Napier City Rovers - a fixture to savour for local football fans.

Under the command of Phil Keinzley, Wairarapa United have made themselves a force to be reckoned with in Wairarapa sport. Keinzley is a motivated achiever and has a successful farm and veterinary supply and advisory service based in Carterton as proof of his ability to succeed. He brings the same drive to his football set-up, which has included transferring in players to bolster the squad.

Recognition of his drive and success came earlier this week in the form of a citation in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to football.

Wairarapa United held off stiff challenges for the Supreme Winner title from several people and organisations.

These included table tennis' Val Scarr, soon to depart to London to officiate at the Olympics, who took out the Copthorne Hotel and Resort Administrator of the Year Award and Baden Whale who, together with Judy Brown, took out the Lifetime Achievements Award.