Swimmer bags top Maori prize

Young Masterton swimmer Isaac Foote bagged the top prize at the Wairarapa Maori sports awards on Thursday night, in a swimming-dominated ceremony.
Foote was named overall winner at the Masterton Town Hall event, as well as picking up the prize for best junior male athlete.
Foote is the current Masterton Swim Club captain and a member of the national swim development-team. This year he won gold at the Waikato open water championships and also grabbed a bronze at the national open water swimming champs.
The women's junior winner was Talia Hullena of St Matthew's Collegiate, who plays senior netball and is the current Swim Wairarapa champion for her age.
The two primary school winners were Kendall Peterson, winner of 13 gold medals for his age group at the Wairarapa swimming championships, and Emma Samuel, Masterton Swimming Club and New Zealand swimming development-squad member.
The senior prizes went to Jesse Workman, a Dalefield hockey team member, and Shakira Baker of the Eketahuna women's rugby team.
Team of the year also went to the Eketahuna women's rugby team, with the team's coach, Syd Tatana, picking up the coach of the year.
The gong for services to sport went to Russell Thompson, long-time softball coach and life member of the Giants softball club.
Organising committee member Triny Ruhe said the night was a huge success.
"It was an awesome night to celebrate Wairarapa Maori excellence in sport.
"There's some awesome talent out there and a good range of sports."
She said about 200 people had attended the event, with organisers and sponsors making sure the night went off without a hitch.