Tūrangi's top sports

Karate again tops the winners at 20th event

Last Saturday night the 20th Annual Turangi-Tongariro Sports Awards was held at The Delta in Turangi, celebrating the outstanding athletes Turangi creates and recognising the hard work the sporting community, (coaches, administrators and athletes) commit to making Turangi a better place to live in.

Karate once again topped the winners, with Premier winner Mark Willis, who this year gained his 8th Dan Black Belt, making him the most experienced official for Traditional Shoto-kan Karate Federation in both New Zealand and Australia. The Turangi Black Belt Girls Karate Team, made up of three girls 15 and under, have only been defeated by one team in New Zealand, and that’s the experienced Manukau Black Belt Men’s Team.

Also recognised was the huge contribution Tsunami Southern Tribes Tuwharetoa Brazilian Jiujitsu Team has made to Tūrangi sport, with Club of the Year and Sportsperson and Individual Fairplay.

With the Tongariro School rippa rugby team’s incredibly successful campaign to represent King Country at the Nationals in Wellington, they gained special mention from the judges.

With a developing new soccer team and a successful U11 junior rugby team in the mix, it was extremely hard for the judges to call.

Andy Hema from the TūrangiTongariro Community Board, Kevin Tamepo (a well known Tūrangi and Taupō District BMX sportsman and coach) and Christine Turton (Sports Waikato’s Taupō co-ordinator) did a great job making some difficult decisions, when so many of the nominees demonstrated such outstanding talent and commitment.

Speaker James Porter, (BOP Rugby Union academy manager) was extremely impressed by both the young talent here in Tūrangi and the commitment of Tūrangi sports club coaches and the hard work they put in to players.

Tongariro School’s team of teachers and students produced a delicious meal to set the evening off in a formally and beautifully decorated venue. These hardworking committed students are fundraising to travel to China.

We would like to thank Tūrangi Tongariro Community Board members Andy Hema, Wally van der Aa, Te Takinga New and Sharlyn Holt for representing the board and Taupo¯ District Council at this important event.

Rugby, football, ki-o- rahi, volleyball, basketball, rippa rugby, karate, jiujitsu, Tongariro School, Te Kura o Hirangi, netball, badminton, and swimming were all represented .

The speaker for the evening, James Porter of the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union, presented the Fairplay Team Award to the Tongariro U11 Colts, pictured with their coach Paul Hallett (right) who also was awarded Coach of the Year for his coaching of junior and rippa rugby.

PICTURES: BARRY SHAW The Tu¯rangi Black Belt Girls Karate Team, comprising Tangiariki Wanikau, Danica Bell and Shania Moanaroa, were awarded Junior Team of the Year. The award was presented by sportsman and coach Kevin Tamepo. The Tu¯rangi Karate Club’s head coach and 8th Dan black belt Mark Willis won the evening’s Premier Award but was overseas coaching.

Tau Thompson of the Southern Tribes Tu¯wharetoa Brazilian Jiujitsu Team was presented with the Sportsperson of the Year award by Te Takinga New of the Tu¯rangi-Tongariro Community Board. His club was also named Club of the Year.

New Coach of the Year Emma Billing, pictured with Japan You from the Tu¯rangi Bakery & Cafe, who presented her award.

Tangiariki Wanikau of Tu¯rangi Karate Club was awarded Junior Sportsperson of the Year. She is pictured with Aaron Moeke of Tuwharetoa FM.