Amy Rule, a prop for the World Cup-winning Black Ferns, was named the senior sportsperson of the year at the 2023 ILT Southland Sports Awards.

Rule, a 22-year-old native of Riverton, played a significant role in the Black Ferns’ successful home World Cup campaign the previous year. She featured in five out of the team’s six games and scored a crucial try in the grand final victory over England.

In addition to her achievements with the Black Ferns, Rule was also part of the Matatū team that secured the Super Rugby Aupiki title after going winless the previous year. She also played professionally for the Brumbies in the Australian women’s professional rugby competition.

The ILT Southland Sports Awards, organized by Active Southland on behalf of the Southland Amateur Sports Trust, are New Zealand’s longest-running regional sports awards.

Vanessa Hughey-Pol, the Chief Executive of Active Southland, commended the high caliber of athletes, officials, and administrators across all categories in this year’s awards. She highlighted Rule’s accomplishments as an inspiration for young people in Southland and worldwide.

Among the other notable winners at the awards, motorcycle rider Cormac Buchanan secured the One NZ Junior Sportsperson of the Year title for the second time in three years. The multisport combination of Rikki Griffin, Mike White, and Dwight Grieve claimed the Southland Kia Team of the Year award for their dominant performance in this year’s Coast to Coast event.

Rex Capil, currently serving as the President of the Oceania Softball Confederation, received the BDO Invercargill Administrator of the Year award. The Creation Signs Official of the Year award went to cycling’s Erin Criglington, the first New Zealand woman to qualify as an international track cycling commissaire.

The Community Trust South Community Impact award was won by the Te Waka Taiohika o Murihiku initiative, led by Nga Kete Matauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust. They provide rangatahi (young people) with opportunities to engage in a new sport, build confidence, create friendships, and maintain well-being through waka ama.

Furthermore, several individuals were recognized for their outstanding service to sport. Mervyn Campbell, David Galbraith, and Wendy Ryan received the Active Southland Services to Sport awards. Dean Stewart, an adventure racer, was honored with the Mike Piper Award for commitment, integrity, and excellence as an SBS Bank Academy Southland athlete.

The Southland Times Sporting Moment, voted on by the public, was awarded to Sheldon Bagrie-Howley for his historic national singles bowls win.

Finalists and recipients for the 2022/2023 ILT Southland Sports Awards:

Creation Signs Official of the Year:

Finalists: Erin Crigington (cycling), Barbara Grieve (weightlifting), Nicky McNaught (squash), Kristie Simpson (netball)
Awarded to: Erin Criglinton.

Southland Kia Team of the Year:

Finalists: Southland Lads Multisport (Coast to Coast), Southland Sharks 3×3 (basketball), Southland Under 18 Mixed Touch (touch), Southland women’s hockey team (hockey)
Awarded to: Southern Lads Multisport

Good Tech Team Coach of the Year:

  • Finalists: Julian Ineson (cycling), Chris Knight (athletics), Vlad Saraev and Angela Saraeva (gymnastics), Dennis Thompson and Scott Eade (touch)
  • Awarded to: Julian Ineson

BDO Administrator of the Year:

  • Finalists: Rex Capil (softball and baseball), Braydan Marsden (disc golf), Ngarita Te Patu (BMX), Andy Magness (adventure racing)
  • Awarded to: Rex Capil

NZME Masters Achievement of the Year:

  • Finalists: Dwight Grieve (athletics), Gail Kirkman (athletics), Rex Ryan (rowing), Geertien Venter (track cycling)
  • Awarded to: Dwight Grieve

Community Trust South Community Impact Award:

  • Finalists: Te Waka Taiohika o Murihiku, Southern Queens Boxing, Inclusive Activity Murihiku, Mossburn School Indoor Sports Complex
  • Awarded to: Te Waka Taiohika o Murihiku

One NZ Junior Sportsperson of the Year:

  • Finalists: Cormac Buchanan (motorcycle racing), Alex Crosbie (motor racing), Charliese Erskine (clay target shooting), Marshall Erwood (cycling, track and road), Joseph Koroiadi (swimming), Louise Kotkamp (cricket), Rico Fisher (touch), Levi Stout (disc golf), Jon Rawiri Maddoc (Brazilian jiu-jitsu)
  • Awarded to: Cormac Buchanan

ILT Senior Sportsperson of the Year:

  • Finalists: Sheldon Bagrie-Howley (bowls), Josh Burnett (road cycling and mountain biking), Ethan de Groot (rugby), Amy Rule (rugby), Tom Sexton (cycling, track and road), Corbin Strong (cycling, track and road)
  • Awarded to: Amy Rule

Additional Awards:

Active Southland Services to Sport:

  • Mervyn Campbell (athletics)
  • David Galbraith (rowing)
  • Wendy Ryan (hockey)

Mike Piper Award:

  • Dean Stewart
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