One of New Zealand's top beach volleyballers has won a prestigious police sports award, becoming the first from the Bay of Plenty to receive it.
Rotorua Constable Melissa-Mae Ruru was yesterday presented with the New Zealand Police Association Police Sportsperson of the Year award for 2012.
Miss Ruru's sporting goal is to represent New Zealand at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in beach volleyball.
She said it had been hard work combining her sport with work, especially when she was working shifts, but she felt supported in her goal.
"It has been hard work but I'm now in the tactical crime unit and working day shifts so I can train around those hours," she said.