Waves of Excellence

Photo: Courtesy of Kim Berquist Photography

This year, 100 attendees gathered at Addington Raceway for the 2024 Annual Awards, where hard work, dedication, and excellence within the region's swimming community took centre stage.

The event featured an inspiring speech by Guest Speaker Anna Simcic OLY and was hosted by Nick Bewley from Newstalk ZB Radio.

Brigitte Mahan, Joanne Russell, and Margaret Western were awarded with Life Membership awards.

For a second year, Wharenui Swim Club took out the Kaimahi Tūao Trophy. This trophy recognizes the club providing the most Technical Officials at meets in the region, making it a notable addition to this year's awards.

Congratulations to all the finalists and award winners for their achievements in the past year. We appreciate the support from all the attendees during the event.

Service Awards

• Kaimahi Tūao Trophy

  Presented to the club providing the most Technical Officials at meets in the region.

  Winner:
  > Wharenui Swimming Club

• International Official of the Year Award

  Finalists:
  > Christine Cassin

  Winner:
  > Christine Cassin

• Domestic Official of the Year Award

  Finalists:
  > Glenys McKenzie
  > Gerald Cunningham
  > Mel MacDowall

  Winner:
  > Glenys McKenzie

• Service Awards

  Winners:
  > Sarah Burford
  > Mel MacDowall

• Honours Awards

  Winners:
  > Pauline Houston
  > Carl Gordon
  > Peter Burgon
  > Norman Smart

• Life Membership Award

  Winners:
  > Margaret Western
  > Joanne Russell
  > Brigitte Mahan

Photo: Courtesy of Kim Berquist Photography

Athlete Awards

• Female Swimmer of the Year 16 & Over

  Finalists:
  > Brooke Bennett (Jasi)
  > Hanna Abdou (Wharenui)
  > Stacey Morgan (Triton)

  Winner:
  > Brooke Bennett (Jasi)

• Male Swimmer of the Year 16 & Over

  Finalists:
  > Taiko Torepe-Ormsby (Wharenui)
  > Christopher Elson (Vikings)
  > Hugo Wrathall (Jasi)

  Winner:
  > Taiko Torepe-Ormsby (Wharenui)

• Female Swimmer of the Year 15 & Under

  Finalists:
  > Bridie Quayle (Wharenui)
  > Tandia Fisher (Wharenui)
  > Laura Menzies (Selwyn)

  Winner:
  > Bridie Quayle (Wharenui)

• Male Swimmer of the Year 15 & Under

  Finalists:
  > Soeren Wells (Wharenui)
  > Luke Manderson (Vikings)
  > Rylind Wheeler (North Canterbury)

  Winner:
  > Soeren Wells (Wharenui)

• Female Para Swimmer of the Year

  Finalists:
  > Gabriella Smith (Vikings)
  > Lili-Fox Mason (Wharenui)
  > Charlotte Murphy (Aquagym)

  Winner:
  > Gabriella Smith (Vikings)

• Male Para Swimmer of the Year

  Finalists:
  > Finn Russ (Selwyn)
  > Luka Willems (Wharenui)

  Winner:
  > Finn Russ (Selwyn)

• National Champions

  >  Faris Abdou (Wharenui)
  >  Hanna Abdou (Wharenui)
  >  Brooke Anderson (Vikings)
  >  Joshua Baars (Vikings)
  >  Brooke Bennett (Jasi)
  >  Chris Elson (Vikings)
  >  Tandia Fisher (Wharenui)
  >  Harrison James (Vikings)
  >  Jayden Lee (Wharenui)
  >  Indy Leeds (North Canterbury)
  >  Luke Manderson (Vikings)
  >  Lili-Fox Mason (Wharenui)
  >  Rylee McBride (Wharenui)
  >  Laura Menzies (Selwyn)
  >  Stacey Morgan (Triton)
  >  Charlotte Murphy (Aquagym)
  >  Charlotte Parmenter (Jasi)
  >  Bridie Quayle (Wharenui)
  >  Charlotte Rozen (Wharenui)
  >  Finn Russ (Selwyn)
  >  Gaby Smith (Vikings)
  >  Holly Smith (Selwyn)
  >  Taiko Torepe-Ormsby (Wharenui)
  >  Soeren Wells (Wharenui)
  >  Luka Willems (Wharenui)

• National Representatives

  >  Brooke Bennett (Jasi)
  >  Christopher Elson (Vikings)
  >  Lili-Fox Mason (Wharenui)
  >  Ella Benn (Selwyn)
  >  Charlotte Murphy (Aquagym)
  >  Gabriella Smith (Vikings)
  >  Emma Smith (Coach) (Aquagym)
  >  Hannah Bates (Coach) (Selwyn)
  >  Todd Mason (Coach) (Vikings)
  >  Amber Proudfoot (Aquagym)
  >  Millie Long (Selwyn)
  >  Stacey Morgan (Triton)
  >  Hanna Abdou (Wharenui)
  > Brooke Anderson (Vikings)
  >  Bridie Quayle (Wharenui)
  >  Joel Verran (Wharenui)
  >  Charlotte Parmenter (Jasi)
  >  Taiko Torepe-Ormsby (Wharenui)
  >  Gabriella Smith (Vikings)
  >  Lili-Fox Mason (Wharenui)

• New Zealand Squad Qualifiers

  Swimming New Zealand Gold Squad:
  > Soeren Wells (Wharenui)

• Regional Squad Qualifiers

  > Click here to view the full squad lists.

Photo: Courtesy of Kim Berquist Photography