Marlborough Express - Weekend Express
PAST WINNERS
Nominated for a third consecutive year are athlete Lucy Sheat, winner of the junior sportswomen’s category last year, cyclist Georgia Catterick, another former junior sportswoman winner, plus table tennis player Alex Kennedy and gymnast Anna Tempero.
Jade Otway returns as the tennis nominee, William Macdonald, nominated for basketball in 2016, is the softball nominee, Pip Lunn has been given the women’s hockey nod again, shooter Regan Cowe is back, as is veteran cyclist Duncan Mackenzie. Dressage rider Melissa Galloway, nominated in 2015, also returns.
For the fourth occasion, the Craigs Investment Partners Marlborough Medal will be presented on the night, honouring a Marlburian who has made a huge contribution to sport in this province. Previous Medal recipients have been Graham Thomas, Ian Columbus, Roy Titheridge and Denise Lloyd.
The judging panel for the 2017 awards comprises Nic Dann, Andrea Koorey, Express sports writer Peter Jones, Greg Stretch and Round Table representative Shaun Crabb.
Patrons at the sell-out dinner are in for a treat with the guest speaker this year being a genuine ‘‘local hero’’ and a very popular personality in these parts.
Joseph Sullivan is a three-time winner of the Sportsperson of the Year award, rewarded in 2008, 2011 and 2012 for his worldbeating exploits on the international rowing stage. Although he has now left the rowing scene, the man labelled ‘‘the Pride of Picton’’ is still making headlines on the water. As a member of the Emirates Team New Zealand America’s Cup crew, he became a national hero all over again in 2017 as the Kiwi boat reclaimed the Auld Mug in Bermuda. His inside knowledge of the campaign is bound to make for an informative evening.
MCfor the evening is vastlyexperienced television presenter and news reader Peter Williams, a well-respected and accomplished broadcaster with previous links to the province.
Sport Tasman, along with the Marlborough Express and Blenheim Round Table, who have been involved with the awards since their 1967 inception, have again joined forces to put the event together.
The 2017 Marlborough Sports Awards committee, comprising Mel Greenwood, Chris Black, Peter Jones and Karen Hartshorne, are confident of producing another first-class evening of entertainment.
Main category sponsors this year are More FM, Scenic Hotel Group, Redwood Trust, House of Travel, WKand Craigs Investment Partners.
Associate sponsors are Misty Cove Wines and NZ King Salmon.
1967: 1968: 1969:
Alan Sutherland (rugby) Alan Sutherland (rugby) Geoff Hocquard (woodchopping) Alan Sutherland (rugby) Sue Lucas (equestrian) David Neal (rugby) Marlborough rugby team Richard Tayler (athletics) Debbie Looms (table tennis) Lance Cairns (cricket) John Woodley (motorcycling) Chris Moran (disabled sport) Brian Ford (rugby) Dianne Erikson (badminton) Graeme Miller (cycling) Tony Brook (rowing) Allan Miller (cycling) Susan Stewart (diving) Elliot Boult (golf) David Hocquard (woodchopping) Elliot Boult (golf) John Dodson (rifle shooting) SimonWilson (cricket) Sandy Marshall (rifle shooting)
1970: 1971: 1972: 1973: 1974: 1975: 1976: 1977: 1978: 1979: 1980: 1981: 1982: 1983: 1984: 1985: 1986:
1987: 1988: 1989: 1990: 1991: 1992: 1993: 1994: 1995: 1996: 1997: 1998:
Brendan Neylon (cycling) Bill Stevenson (rifle shooting) Anton Oliver (rugby) Ben Lucas (disabled sport) Ray Lynskey (gliding) George Crosby (squash) David Shepherd (rowing) Lloyd Gallop, Andre Smith, Bob Dowling, Kevan Greenwood (bowls) Robin Reid (cycling) Jason Allen (cycling) Mark Inglis (cycling) Rob Hellstrom (rowing) Justin Leov (mountainbiking) Robin Reid (cycling) Jason Allen (cycling) Duncan Grant (rowing) Duncan Grant (rowing) Joseph Sullivan (rowing) Duncan Grant (rowing) Sean O’Neill (rowing) Joseph Sullivan (rowing) Joseph Sullivan (rowing) Megan Craig (squash) Sophie MacKenzie (rowing) Sophie MacKenzie (rowing) John Kennard (car rallying)
1999: 2000: 2001: 2002: 2003: 2004: 2005: 2006: 2007: 2008: 2009: 2010: 2011: 2012: 2013: 2014: 2015: 2016: