The outstanding achievements of Wairarapa Māori sportspeople, coaches, teams and administrators were recognised at the Wairarapa Māori Sports Awards 2009 held at the Masterton Town Hall on 3 December. The awards are not only to acknowledge those who have excelled in sport but also promote wellness in the community and encourage others to give sport a go.

Twenty-seven finalists in nine categories were selected from more than 60 nominations in what was third year of the awards.

Wairarapa Māori Sports Awards 2009 Programme & Finalists

Wairarapa Māori Sports Person of the Year 2009 & Junior Male Category Winner

Isaac Foote, Masterton Swimming Club

Foote’s outstanding achievements over the past year include winning two gold medals and silver at the NZ Age Group Championships. He won silver in his first ever open water swim in the 5km NZ Open Water 15 year age group.

Foote represented New Zealand at the 2008 Pacific School Games in Canberra. He was selected for the NZ Youth Development and distance camps and competed in five events at Australian Age Group Champs. He has claimed numerous Wairarapa under 16 and senior men’s Wairarapa records.

Male Tai Tamariki Category Winner

Kendall Peterson, Carterton Swimming Club

Female Tai Tamariki Category Winner

Sade Atkinson, Wairarapa Tennis

Junior Female Category Winner

Shakira Baker, Hurricanes Secondary Schoolgirl rugby team, Wellington Women’s NPC Rugby

Senior Male Category Winner

Blair Thompson, Hutt Valley National League Softball

Senior Female Categorystrong>

Maia Tua-Davidson, NZ Women’s Kiwi Ferns League, Wellington Women’s NPCRrugby

Coach Category Winner

Mark Harris, Athletics

Service to Sport Category Winner

Vaea Peterson, athletics, soccer, basketball, netball, rugby, swimming and voluntary fire brigade.

Team Category Winner

Wairarapa Nui Tonu OC2 waka ama team - Joseph Nuku and Patrick Rimene