Local boy made good is a fitting accolade for Dane Coles who has been presented the supreme award at the Pak’n Save Kāpiti Sportsperson of the Year Awards.
Coles has risen from the rugby ranks of Paraparaumu College to become the Hurricane’s hooker and now an All Black. In his four test career Coles, 26, has played against Scotland, Italy, Wales and England.
Coles was earlier named the Professional Plaques, Signs and Regalia Sportsman of the Year in front of full house at the Southward Theatre.
A Paraparaumu boy, Coles said he was proud of his town and what it had offered him. He also thanked his parents for their support, along with awards organisers, the Lions Club of Kāpiti and sponsors.
Coles’ fractured his cheek bone in training last month and will be out of action for a couple more weeks. In the meanwhile he plans to spend time with family and friends.
New Zealand women’s barefoot waterskiing champion Georgia Groen won world age grade and open titles last year and also set two junior world records. Georgia, from Ōtaki, is just 15 and was presented with the Undercover Secrets Lingerie Sportswoman of the Year title.
Mitre 10 Mega Kāpiti Coach of the year went to former Olympic swimmer Jon Winter won for his role leading the Raumati Swimming Club.
In a big night for Kāpiti swimming Paul Matson won Safe Scaffolding Sports Official of the Year and Henrietta Latham was the winner of the Sport Wellington Adminstrator of the Year.
Ōtaki’s Generation Y canoe polo team won Team of the Year sponsored by Silica Glass Crushers.
Promising Taekwon-do exponent Rose Biddiscombe won the Undercover Secrets Lingerie Emerging Sportswoman of the Year title and BMX rider Liam Perry won the Kāpiti Observer Emerging Sportsman of the Year.
Wheelchair basketball player Marcus Thompson won Pritchard Group Disabled Athlete of the Year.
Endurance cyclist Stu Downs was named the Cycletech NZ Sports Personality of the Year.
In recognition of the superb work done by sports administrators the Coastlands Shoppingtown Sports Volunteer of the Year went to bowls official Carrell Knight, while Kāpiti Pony Club vice-president Jenny Olley was named Simpson Grierson Contributor to Sport.