2020 Aoraki Trust South Canterbury Sports Awards Nominee Bios - Sporty.co.nz

2020 Aoraki Trust South Canterbury Sports Awards Nominee Bios
Administrator
Inline Speed Skating – Helen Beveridge
Helen undertakes all club secretary jobs and in the last 12 months has added the portfolio of
acting treasurer to her list. She is the point of contact for all members and takes the lead in
welcoming new members and introducing families. Helen had done considerable work for
the delivery of the National Road Championships and was preparing Timaru for the Oceania
Championships at Easter. Helen has been recognised as the Skate New Zealand volunteer
of the year. All this with patience, excellence and a smile.
Squash – Jen Moorhead
Jen has devoted her time and passion into her favourite sport of squash. A committee
member that contributed to an international event, undertakes all social media and website
requirements she is also the club coaching coordinator. The profile of squash has grown with
Jen providing links to the South Canterbury business community. She leveraged this
relationship to provide the Trans Tasman and Masters teams with the full South Canterbury
experience while in our community. Jen continues to upskill herself and is a young
committee member who leads by example.

Official
Athletics – Mark Peters
Mark is an official that contributes in every way, from behind the scenes to the front line of all
events he can. An official that is involved all year round in athletics, harriers and cross
country. Mark is a well qualified official and in the last 12 months contributed to anything
from Canterbury Children’s Championships, to National Schools and National
Championships as well as the Oceania Area Championships in Townsville. Mark was on the
committee and setup the course of the National School Cross Country Championships in
Timaru.
Basketball – Reagan Ashley
Reagan has officiated at four National Championship basketball events throughout 2019 and
was appointed to officiate the Under 23, Tertiary Championships and Women’s Basketball
Championship grand finals. Reagan has been appointed to the national referee’s panel and
was the Basketball New Zealand junior referee of the year.

Hockey – Ben Grant
Ben is an internationally qualified umpire who continues to give his time back to the
grassroots of our community. He assists with clinics for community coaches and umpires
and will provide input into weekly allocations. In the last 12 months Ben has umpired in the
National Hockey League including the third and fourth playoff. In October Ben controlled the
Japan versus New Zealand four match series.
Inline Speed Skating – Mark Swindells
Mark passed theory and practical examinations to gain accreditation as an international
speed skating track official. He is the first New Zealander in the last five years to hold this
accreditation. In 2019 Mark officiated at the World Roller Games in Barcelona and was also
the Chief Referee at the National Championships in 2020.
Rowing – Vanessa McIver
Vanessa remains the only New Zealand female qualified to international umpiring status in
rowing. In 2019 Vanessa represented New Zealand at the World Cup in Poland. Vanessa
contributes to her sport through providing umpire training and by advocating for youth to be
involved more.
Rugby – Chris Paul
Chris is a national rugby referee squad member who contributed to several high profile
matches in 2019 including his Heartland Championship debut, a National School Boys Test
Match, the National
Under 19 Tournament and the finals of the Graham Mourie Cup New Zealand. Being in the
elite New Zealand Rugby Referee panel is just one step from becoming a fulltime referee.
Chris is incredibly dedicated and always takes opportunities to grow his skills.

Coach
Athletics – Don Garland
Don is a qualified and experienced coach who continues to give his expertise to all levels
and ages of athletics athletes in the community. His athletes have advanced to international
competitions and Don himself was the coach of the Mid South Canterbury team that
attended the 14-19 age group competition in Queensland. His athletes achieved national
gold medals across a variety of athletic disciplines at Masters, Secondary School and
Primary School level.
Hockey – Ben Grant
Ben is a dedicated and committed coach who gives his expertise to various levels of hockey.
Contributing to four teams at school and regional level Ben was head coach of the Timaru
Boys High School First XI who won the Canterbury Schools competition and were finalists at
the prestigious Rankin Cup in 2020. This is the top tier of Secondary School hockey in New
Zealand.
Hockey – Colleen Suddaby
Colleen loves hockey, she loves to play, coach and watch any games that she can. She is
committed and passionate and works with all levels of players and teams to make them the
best they can be. Coaching three teams in 2019 her highlight was the Under 13 Hatch Cup

Boys team. This national event has 24 teams and the South Canterbury team for the second
year in a row were runners up.
Inline Speed Skating – Bill Begg
Bill is the living legend of inline speed skating across the globe with skaters from around the
world seeking Bill’s advice and mentorship. In the last year Bill coached the South
Canterbury Club to its record breaking nine consecutive National Championship wins. The
team received no less than 48 national titles including all eight senior relays. In 2019 Bill took
one skater to the World Championships and for 2020 has coached five of the seven junior
skaters selected for the World Championship team.

Sport and Recreation Event of the Year
Cross Country – New Zealand Secondary Schools Cross Country Championships
An event that returned to Timaru for the first time in 30 years. Attracting over 800 runners the
event incorporated the strong running tradition of the South Canterbury community including
using imagery of Jack Lovelock in the event logo and having Dick Taylor present awards. A
new deceptively challenging course with great spectator viewing received positive feedback
from all involved. All races were live streamed reaching thousands across the country. The
success of the weekend ensures Timaru won’t wait another 30 years to host this great
weekend again.
Golf – Freyberg New Zealand Masters Golf Tournament
An event that had not been in the South Canterbury community for a very long time was
welcomed back to Levels Golf course in 2019. The tournament committee made history in
becoming the first full volunteer group to deliver this event. This event was more than one
week of golf but included a year plan to develop the course, committee structures and an
opportunity for visitors to experience the best of South Canterbury. This national event
consisted of 14 teams of six players representing provinces from Northland to Southland.
The feedback received post event from throughout the country was all positive.
MultiSport -Meridian Twizel Hard Labour Weekend
An event that started as a half marathon in the 1980s is now a must for every South
Cantabrian who considers themselves an athlete. The event includes Kayaking, Mountain
Biking and a Mountain Run with the three legs being performed over two days. A reputation
as a family friendly event the weekend will still attract top elite athletes preparing for the
Coast to Coast. A kids section and adapted events are provided with all funds raised
returned to youth sport in the community. In 2019 there were over 600 participants in the
Meridian Twizel Hard Labour Weekend.
Squash – Trans Tasman Masters Test Series and New Zealand Masters Individual and
Teams Championships
This event had not been hosted by the South Canterbury community for a very long time.
The tournament committee of seven volunteers delivered a ten-day event made up of a
three-day Test Series followed by an Individual and Inter-District Teams’ Championship.
The test teams each consisted of 14 players while the national event had more than 120
players including nine teams of twelve players representing the provinces from Northland to
Southland. Live streaming of matches was a first for the club. Participants, sponsors, public
and social media feedback was very positive throughout the event.

Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability
Lawn Bowls – Graham Marshall
Graham is a fast improving bowls player who still competes in the junior ranks. In 2019
Graham was the New Zealand Disabled Lawn Bowls Pairs winner and singles plate winner.
At the 2020 Somerset Nationals he also earned a bronze medal in the pairs. Graham has
been invited to represent New Zealand later in 2020 at the World IBA Championships.
Para Cycling - Jono Nelson
Jono is a proud South Cantabrian who over the last year has had to over come some
serious illness. He represented our community with pride at the Australian Para Cycling
Open in Ballarat. He managed 4th place in both the Time Trial and Road Race. Another good
year of performances for Jono.
Para Swimming – Benjamin Gould
From the Geraldine Swimming Club Ben Gould competed in the New Zealand Short Course
Championships and placed third in the two hundred and four hundred metre freestyle. He
also made the final of a further four events finishing with top five placings in all of them.

Masters Sportsperson of the Year
Athletics – Kelley Charles
Kelley has had another strong year of performances across all throwing disciplines. With
success at regional championships in the South Island Kelley attended the New Zealand
Masters Championships and achieved gold medals in the Women’s 35 Hammer, Discus and
Shot Put alongside a bronze in the Javelin. These strong performances have earnt Kelley
selection in the New Zealand Masters Team for the 2021 Oceania Track and Field
Championships.
Athletics – Wayne Doyle
Wayne competed in his 55th Decathlon this year as he won the New Zealand Masters 55-59
Decathlon Championships. As Wayne secured the title he also broke the national record for
this event. An event that Wayne has been involved with for 35 years his 2020 performances
have him now gain the number four world ranking.
Cricket – Bevan Guthrie
Bevan is now a regular in New Zealand Masters Cricket teams. In 2019 he represented both
the national over 60s and over 70s teams. While the over 60s may have lost to Australia
Bevan was a member of the South Island team who beat the Aussies. Still good enough to
play club cricket and contribute with coaching and umpiring.
Cricket – Lindsay Hewitson
Lindsay has embraced the growing options that are available in Masters Cricket representing
Otago and this season earning selection in the over 60s National Team. Lindsay was able to
experience a test match as New Zealand took on Australia. Lindsay took on the role of
opening batsman and was able to take a few wickets when asked to bowl. He continues to
find time for his Pleasant Point side in the local competition proving competitive against
younger opponents.
Cycling – Craig Domigan

Craig dominated the field at the Age Group Track Nationals in February picking up three
national titles across the Scratch Race, Individual Pursuit and Points Race. Throughout the
year he has gained great results including receiving the Most Combative Point Jersey in the
South Island Calder Stewart Cycling Series and being named the Winter Series Club
Champion in his age group.

Lifetime Achievement Awards
Basketball – Bruce Skinner
Bruce has a long association with Twizel community basketball. A coach of over twelve
years with the women’s game he still continues to help all levels of basketball development
including senior men through to mini ball. A committee member that always gives his all
Bruce will referee every week. A volunteer that is valued by all in his community.
Cycling – Darren Cuthbertson
Darren began in volunteer roles with the cycling community at the age of 16. Over numerous
years there are not many roles that Darren has not undertaken, committee member,
secretary, handicapper and for more than the last decade the President of the Cycling South
Canterbury club. Darren is a leader with knowledge, dedication and a personable manner
that led to him receiving a life membership earlier in 2020.
Multisport – Dean Nelson
Dean has been a committee member of the Twizel Hard Labour Weekend since 2006 and
Chairperson since 2010 raising more than $100K in the last five years that is returned to
youth sport in the community. This event has grown in stature and involves and then gives
back to the entire community. Dean has done more than just multisport with a volunteering
connection to the Twizel community that began in the 1980s as a player/coach of men’s
basketball and has spanned nearly 40 years across numerous sporting codes. In 2019 Dean
was named the Sport Twizel Volunteer of the year.

Team of the Year
Blade Shearing – New Zealand Blade Shearing Team
This national team was made up of two South Canterbury athletes. Competing at the World
Shearing and Woolhandling Championships in France during July 2019, this team overcame
hot favourites South Africa with ease to become World Champions. Show casing their
talents in a Trans Tasman series in October the pair easily accounted for Australia 2-0 in
November.
Hockey – South Canterbury Under 13 Hatch Cup Boys
A group of young boys who focused on team work to deliver success at the Hatch Cup
Hockey Nationals in 2019. Having struggled in the lead up to nationals the team timed their
season to perfection starting the tournament strongly and dispatching some much bigger
associations early on. With dedication and commitment this team overcame a Canterbury
side in the semi-final they had previously lost to in the season. For the second year in a row
South Canterbury was runner up at the Hatch Cup.
Hockey – Timaru Boys High School 1st XI Hockey Team
A team full of experience these young men have worked hard for many years to prepare for
this opportunity to compete and outplay a number of the top Secondary Schools in New

Zealand at the Rankin Cup. The school team were the winners of the highly competitive
Canterbury Secondary Schools title in 2019 and made their way to the final of the National
Championships in September. Their tournament included wins over Christ’s College,
Westlake Boys College and Hamilton Boys High School.
Rugby – South Canterbury Heartland Team
A relatively new side began the Heartland season strongly finding themselves at the top of
the leader board after six rounds. The team qualified for the Lochore Cup playoffs and
endured back to back trips to the West Coast to take on Buller and the West Coast in the
semi final then final. The final that was live on TV was played in heavy winds and rain but the
team battled superbly to become Lochore Cup champions.

Young Sportsperson of the Year
Athletics – George Guerin
In 2019 George became the New Zealand Secondary School Senior Boys 2000 metre
Steeple Chase title holder. At the Athletics New Zealand Under 20 Championships George
received a bronze medal in the 800 metres and was the 3000 metre steeplechase winner.
George has received a sport scholarship to Lincoln University and was a member of the New
Zealand Schools Athletics Paper Team.
Athletics – Thomas Fletcher
Tom is a dedicated and focused athlete who through the 2019/2020 season had to
overcome a serious injury he received at the National Schools Championships. Fighting his
way back Tom has become the Under 20 Mens long jump champion in Mid and South
Canterbury, Canterbury and was 4th in the New Zealand Age Group Championships.
Cycling – Jaxson Whyte
Jaxson has had an incredible year both on the road and the track. Jaxson is both the South
Island Schools and National Schools Road Race and Time Trial Champion. He was the
winner of the Yellow Jersey in the Yunca Junior Tour of Southland. At the National Track
Age Group Championships, he received three runner up finishes and a national title in the
Maddison. For 2020 Jaxson will be the Cycling South Canterbury Under 17 Club Captain.
Cycling – Jonathan Fish
Jonathan completed a strong cycling season by becoming the individual pursuit National
Age Group Track Cycling Champion. This result complemented podium finishes in the South
Island Schools Track Champs, the New Zealand Schools Track Champs and the Yunca
Junior Tour of Southland. A well balanced young man who is held in the highest regard by
his club for his sportsmanship.
Inline Speed Skating – Charlotte Clarke
Charlotte is an eight time national champion across banked, road and flat track National
Championships. Charlotte represented New Zealand at the World Roller Games in
Barcelona and has again been selected to represent the country at another World Champs
in Colombia.
Inline Speed Skating – Keaton Swindells
Keaton earned five podium finishes at the New Zealand Banked Track Championships in
Hamilton including becoming Senior Men’s 300m Time Trial Champion. In 2019 Keaton

represented New Zealand at the World Roller Games in Barcelona with a top result of 23rd in
the 15 kilometre Elimination Road Race. Keaton is the current Aoraki School Sport Male
Sportsperson of the Year.
Rowing – Phoebe Trolove
Phoebe was selected to represent New Zealand in the Junior Womens Rowing Quad. This
team was selected to compete in the Junior World Rowing Championships in Tokyo. Phoebe
was the stroke of this boat who won the gold medal to be crowned World Champion.
Rugby - Jorja Miller
Jorja had an incredible rugby season but it is in the sport of sevens where she was
outstanding in 2019. Jorja was part of the winning Condor Sevens team being named player
of the tournament and earning selection in the New Zealand Secondary Schools Team. Jorja
played for New Zealand in the World School Girls Sevens and was the only New Zealander
to make the tournament team. Jorja was asked to play senior womens rugby for Canterbury
sevens but her age group commitments clashed.
Softball - Kiarn Prentice
Kiarn represented South Canterbury at the Under 18 National Tournament where he was
one of the top batters and made the tournament team, the first South Canterbury player to
achieve this. His performances had him selected for the opportunity to tour with a National
Under 18 Squad to Prague. In October Kiarn played for the Under 16 New Zealand team in
Sydney.
Swimming – Jack Sands
Jack is a member of the Swimming New Zealand Bronze Squad for 2019. In a highly
competitive sport Jack received two National Age Group Championship medals. Jack is the
national 200 metre individual medley champion and also received a silver in the 400 metre
individual medley.
Swimming – Riley Taylor
Riley represented Swim Timaru at the New Zealand Short Course Championships. He had
an outstanding meeting earning three silver medals across the 800 and 1500 metre
freestyles and the 200 metre backstroke. To conclude the championships Riley also
received a bronze medal in the 400 metre freestyle.
Water Skiing – Will Gibson
Will represented New Zealand in numerous events in the past 12 months. At the Australia vs
New Zealand Challenge Will won the Under 21 Men’s Jump Final and was the second
overall skier at this event. At the Moomba Masters World Invitation Event in Melbourne he
was the winner of the Open Men’s Series Two Night Jump. Will spent time in the USA
training and competing and during this time he recorded a new personal best jump of 55.3
metres.

Sportsperson the Year
Athletics – Christina Ryan

Christina competes in heptathlon and retained her senior women’s heptathlon title for the
third year in a row. Christina represented New Zealand at the Oceania Track and Field
Championships in Townsville where she finished second. Christina continues to support her
club by facilitating the Run Jump Throw programme for six to nine year olds.
Athletics – Tom Walsh
Another year of terrific achievements for New Zealand’s champion shot putter. Wins at major
events all across the globe Tomas was incredibly dominant through Europe as he became
the IAAF Diamond League Champion again. He threw a season best at the World
Championships in Doha as he received the bronze medal. Tomas was again a nominee for
the Halberg Awards Male Sportsperson of the Year.
Blade Shearing – Allan Oldfield
Allan made his New Zealand team debut at the 2019 World Shearing and Woolhandling
Championships in France in 2019. He became a double world champion while in France
winning both the blade shearing individual and teams finals. Allan won the individual title
comfortably. In March Allan was awarded the New Zealand Rural Sports Awards Sportsman
of the Year award.
Cycling – Dylan Kennett
Dylan won the Tour of Taihu Lake in China during October while riding for his Australian
cycling team, St George Continental. Dylan had two stage runner up finishes before winning
stage three from 118 starters spanning 28 countries. This is the biggest win of Dylan’s
career. Dylan continued his good form and won three stages on the Tour of Southland.
Cycling – Holly Edmondston
Holly has had amazing results at the highest level of World Cup Track Cycling in the last 12
months. Holly and her National Team Pursuit Quad were second in the World Cup race in
Australia before going one better on home soil to win their World Cup Race. This result
included a new national record that was just 0.4 seconds off a new world record. In addition
Holly won an individual World Cup gold in the 10 Kilometre Scratch Race.
Cycling – Shane Archbold
Shane recorded the biggest title of his career in winning the New Zealand Road Race
Championships in Cambridge during February. On the Czech Cycling Tour in 2019 he
recorded a win on Stage Two. He was also involved on the pro tour with rides in the Tour
Down Under Australia and the Grand Tour – Vuelta a Espana.
Hockey – Sam Lane
Sam is the youngest member of the New Zealand Black Sticks team bringing up his 65th cap
this year. He helped the national team qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. A member of the
Canterbury men’s side who finished third in the National Hockey League, Sam was the
teams top goal scorer and was named as the Canterbury Hockey Player of the Year.
Rowing - Emma Dyke
Emma is a member of the New Zealand Women’s Rowing Eight who were World Cup
Rowing Champions following victory in Austria. As world cup champions the team was a
nominee in the Halberg Awards Team of the Year category. Emma also won a national title

in the Womens Pair and was runner up in the Womens Four. Emma is a 2019 Prime Minister
Scholarship recipient.
Rugby – Cullen Grace
Cullen continues to achieve outstanding results on the rugby field. His performances in 2019
had him gain selection in the New Zealand Under 20 Rugby side and the Canterbury Senior
side. Hard work and dedication led to Cullen being named in the Crusaders team for 2020
being the youngest player in Super Rugby in New Zealand.
Rugby – Lucy Anderson
Lucy was a member of the Black Fern Squad in 2019. She toured with the national team to
the USA and France. Also a member of Canterbury’s Farah Palmer Cup squad who won the
National Championships. At the Canterbury Rugby Awards she was named as joint
Women’s Rugby Player of the Year.