The winners of the Norwood New Zealand Rural Sports Awards 2023 were recently announced at a gala dinner at Awapuni Racecourse in Palmerston North. The Awards celebrate the remarkable achievements and dedication of rural athletes and supporters who significantly promote and sustain rural sports in New Zealand.
Judging Panel Convenor, Nathan Twaddle, says it was an exciting evening celebrating those who have made a lasting impact on the rural sporting community. Mr Twaddle praised the young athletes, lifetime achievers, and those who work behind the scenes to ensure rural sports thrive.
Chief Executive Officer at Norwood, Tim Myers, congratulated the winners and finalists and highlighted the dedication and commitment of rural athletes to their sport.
“It was fantastic to see Jack Jordan win the Norwood New Zealand Rural Sports Supreme Award and Sportsman of the Year. Back in 2016, we watched as a fresh-faced Jack went up to receive the Young New Zealand Rural Sportsperson Award. Since then, he has gone from strength to strength and is now on top of the Timbersports world.”
The 2023 winners include:
·Jack Jordan from Taumarunui, winner of the Norwood New Zealand Rural Sports Supreme Award recognising his outstanding achievements and dedication to his sport, and the PTS Logistics New Zealand Rural Sportsman of the Year Award;
·Megan Whitehead from Gore, winner of the Skellerup New Zealand Rural Sportswoman of the Year Award;
·Cameron Leslie MNZM from Tutakaka, winner of the Future Post Rural Sportsperson with a Disability Award;
·Reuben Alabaster from Taihape, winner of the Fonterra Young New Zealand Rural Sportsperson
Eileen Smith from Waimate, Deirdre Bartlett from Opake, Wairarapa, Elizabeth Mortland from Taihape, and Patsy Shirley from Lumsden are joint recipients of the Levno Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand Rural Sports Award. Jason Wynyard from Kawakawa, Reuben de Jong from Auckland, and Dr Luk Chin from Tamahere, Waikato, are joint recipients of The Courtesy Ford Lifetime Legacy Award.
Kerri Williams nee Gowler MNZM is the winner of The Sir Brian Lochore Memorial Award for Outstanding Sportsperson from a Rural Background.
