ATHLETICS

Hurdler Joshua Hawkins (Ngati Tamatera) is the 2016 Maori Sportsperson of the Year. Hawkins, 22, from Mt Wellington and a member of the Ellerslie Athletic Club joins the likes of pole vaulter Eliza Mccartney and Black Stick George Muir as the recipient of a prestigious University of Auckland Blues Award. He broke a New Zealand record in the 100m hurdles in 2015 with a time of 13.69 at the Australian Championships in Brisbane and has represented the country at the New South Wales Championships and Sydney Track Classic. Hawkins completed his bachelor of science majoring in geography and environmental science last year and is now pursuing an honours degree.

FOOTBALL

Eastern Suburbs’ 11th grade girls Lilywhites came away victorious from the 11th Grade Girls tournament at Madills Farm earlier this month. In atrocious weather conditions, they played six pool games, qualifying for the final and dug deep to secure a 1-0 win in the final against the Western Springs Emeralds. The girls now prepare for the Taupo for the Mccartney Tournament on October 8 and 9. Meanwhile, three players from Eastern Suburbs premier women’s team, Grace Jale, Jacqui Hand and Nicole Mettam, have been named in the New Zealand Under-17 team for the FIFA U17 World Cyp in Jordan.

RUGBY

Sixteen Auckland school boys have been selected into the New Zealand Schools and Barbarians team. The teams play in a series against Australia and Fiji at Mt Albert Grammar and Auckland Grammar School grounds on October 1 and October 8.