Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) is anticipating a good turnout at the 2023 Cook Islands Sports Awards to be held tomorrow night.
Fourteen categories are set to be awarded at the
annual ceremony held at The Edgewater Resort and Spa.
CISNOC secretary general Keziah Lewis said the award
categories were open to CISNOC members for nominations, ensuring a diverse
candidate pool.
Lewis said National Federations and Island Sports
Associations were encouraged to nominate teams and individuals who they believe
exemplify the award categories’ criteria.
“The nominees should feel proud as their achievements
are recognised by peers and the sporting community, showcasing the inclusive
and collaborative nature of this process,” she said.
Lewis said they’ve noticed an encouraging increase in
nominations from National Federations this year.
“This suggests that the Federations and the public are
eager to acknowledge our nominees.”
Lewis anticipates the highlight of the event to be the
gathering of the sporting community, celebrating their collective achievements
over the past year.
“Such gatherings are rare, so it’s an event I look
forward to, where we can all celebrate together.”
She said at the Cook Islands Sports Awards, every
attendee is considered a guest. However, Lewis said they will have a panel of
guest speakers who will discuss themes related to creating career pathways for
athletes and life beyond sports.
“Ticket sales have been consistent with previous
years, with a preference for table purchases, though individual ticket
purchases close to the event date are also accommodated,” she said.
“We anticipate a good turnout, especially as we celebrate
the achievements of 2023 and our success at the Pacific Games, highlighting how
our small nation continues to punch above its weight.”
Nominations
Best
Administered Outer Island Association: Aitutaki Sports Association
Best
Outer Island Achievement Award – Aitutaki Athletics, Aitutaki Volleyball, Nelio
George, and Aitutaki Sports Association.
Coach
of the Year – Clive Nicholas, Rusty Matua, Danny Simpson, Fletcher Melvin, Aik Ho and Horst Miehe.
Junior
Sportsman of the Year – Thomas Makimare, Nelio George,
and Emmanuela Mataio.
Junior
Sportswoman of the Year – Edon Teraitua, Aleida Tere, Lanihei Connolly, Ana Ellison-Lupena, Mahana
Sijp, and Emma Papali’i.
Pa
Enua Sportswoman – Tatiana Sherwin, Teuanuku Koroa, Nelio George and Thomas
Makimare.
Masters
Sportsperson – Serena Hunter.
Sports
Achievement of the Year – CIRL Aitu, CIRL Moana, Cook Islands Open Mixed Team
Badminton, Women’s Basketball Team Pacific games 2023, Andre Tutaka-George,
Wesley Roberts, Women’s Oe vaka Team Pacific
Games 2023, Athletics Cook Islands, Daniel Tolosa, Cook Islands men’s beach
volleyball team.
Sports
Administrator of the Year – Natalia Short, Wallace Ariota, Marie Williams, Jean Akavi, Kaitini Herman, Brianna
Lewis and Lesley and Kieran Chan.
Sports
Fair Play Award – CIRL Aitu, CIRL
Moana, Men’s 3X3 Team SPG, Cook Islands
Badminton U19 team, and Jackie
Rongo.
Sports
Team of the Year – CIRL Aitu, CIRL Moana,
J16 Girls Canoeing CICA,
Woman’s
Basketball 3X3 , Women’s Basketball
Team 5X5 Pacific Games 2023, Cook Islands Badminton open mixed team, Cook Islands Badminton U19 badminton
team, Cook Islands Badminton U15 Badminton team, Women’s Oe vaka Team Pacific
Games 23.
Sports
Technical Official – Lualua Tua Trood, Patty Taea and Tiramakea Miri Masters.
Sportsman
of the Year – Andre Tutaka-George, Alex Beddoes, Daniel Tolosa and Wesley Roberts.
Sportswoman
of the Year – Lanihei Connolly, Eliana Tuaiti and Ngatokotoru Arakua.