Bouquets for sports stars

Paralympic athlete Danny McBride finished a busy year on Monday night by winning Sportsperson of the Year at the South Waikato District Sports Awards, sponsored by Mighty River Power.

After winning the 2012 New Zealand National Championships, Danny finished seventh in the Men’s Single Skulls (Arms Shoulders Class) at the London Paralympics.

Due to the volume of junior sportsperson nominees this year, the category was split into both Junior Sportswoman ( going to Chelsea Alley for rugby) and Junior Sportsman (won by Tom Mathis for barefoot waterskiing).

Sport Waikato South Waikato district co-ordinator Gilly Alexander said the category had many excellent examples of youth sporting talent.

‘‘Golf, outdoor bowls, shooting, cue sports, Ki o Rahi, just to name a few of the sports represented in our junior categories. With this much skill emerging, South Waikato can have high hopes for district sport in the future,’’ Mrs Alexander said.

The South Waikato District Sports Awards, held at the South Waikato Sport and Event Centre, in Tokoroa, highlighted outstanding achievements from local sportspeople this year.

Team of the Year was awarded to the Putaruru F Grade Men’s Nationals Team and Club of the Year went to the Southern United Rugby Club.

‘‘ I’m so glad to see local sporting individuals, clubs and teams acknowledged,’’ Mrs Alexander said.

‘‘ It was excellent to have Olympic silver medallist, BMX rider Sarah Walker as our guest speaker, sharing her story of 2012 Olympic success.’’

Winners are considered for the Brian Perry Waikato Regional Sports Awards on January 31, 2013 at Claudelands Event Centre, Hamilton.