- Adams family (shot put and basketball)
Superstar sister and brother combination Steven and Valerie Adams, originally from Rotorua, have a big year ahead. Starting with Valerie, she has a chance to become New Zealand's first Olympian to win a gold medal at three consecutive Olympic Games. She missed the world champs this year following a slow recovery from surgery on her right (throwing) elbow and left shoulder, but has her sights set on the Olympics. Meanwhile, Steven and the Oklahoma City Thunder are tracking nicely for another appearance in the NBA playoffs in 2016.
- Danny Lee (golf)
What a year it has been for Danny Lee. He won on the PGA Tour for the first time, moved into the top 50 on the world rankings, and also represented the International Team at the Presidents Cup. Next year he has already qualified for the first three majors on the calender and would really capture New Zealand's imagination if he could come close to a major title. Not to mention, he is all but guaranteed to represent New Zealand at the Olympic Games as well.
- Sarah Walker (BMX)
The Olympic silver medallist from Kawerau has had a rough run with injury these past couple of years. Fortunately, Walker, who is a life member at the Rotorua BMX Club, managed to complete the latest international season without getting injured, and showed glimpses of what she can do on the world stage. It is a big year ahead for the 27-year-old who will no doubt be doing everything she can to first qualify, then get back on the podium at the Olympics.
- The BOP Steamers (rugby)
The Bay of Plenty Steamers showed some big improvements this year under new coach Clayton McMillan. They won more games this year (four wins) than in the 2013 and 2014 seasons combined. McMillan will no doubt be looking to build on that next year come the Mitre 10 Cup (formerly the ITM Cup).
- Rotorua Boys' High School 1st XV (schoolboy rugby)
After winning the national 1st XV championship this year, Rotorua Boys' will be heading to Japan to compete at the 2016 Sanix World Rugby Youth Invitational Tournament in April. The Sanix tournament features the best schoolboy rugby teams from across the world, and could see Rotorua Boys' win a world title. The local school will also be looking to defend their national title, later in the year, against the best rugby schools from throughout New Zealand.
- Ngongotaha AFC (football)
Ngongotaha only lost one match from their 22 games this season in the WaiBOP Premiership, but still finished second in the competition. Next year marks the club's 50th anniversary and it would be an extra special season if they could go one better in 2016 and win the competition.
- Rotorua men's tennis team (tennis)
The Rotorua men's tennis team have already qualified top going into the semifinals of the 2015/16 Waikato Bays premier interclub competition. Rotorua are the defending champions in the men's competition and will play their semifinal early next year, as they try and go back-to-back.
- Bay of Plenty men's sevens team (sevens)
The Bayleys National Sevens tournament, for the best provincial sevens teams in the country, will be held in Rotorua on January 16/17. The Bay men's team made the semifinals at the event at the start of this year and will be looking for another strong showing next month. They have a new, young side but could cause some upsets during the big tournament. Unfortunately, the Bay women's team, who also made the semifinals at the nationals early this year, have failed to qualify this time around.
