USU Sports Awards 2011
On Friday, 4 November, the best of Unitec’s athletic talent flooded into Trust Stadium for the 2011 USU Sports Awards Ceremony. The night was filled with representation and memories from the sporting highlights from this past year at Unitec. From Gaming Day and Uni Games (held in Auckland this year) through to the epic triumph of Team Unitec at Tertiary Challenge, Unitec athletes have proved themselves on the field and court time and time again.
The Sports Awards Ceremony was a night to celebrate and recognise the best of Unitec sport in 2011. Guest Speaker, Leo Lafaialii, stressed the importance of passion and determination in pursuing sport as a lifestyle. His inspiring words reflected on his Rugby days beginning on the Auckland Blues and extending to Japan, Italy and France. He encouraged the talented group of athletes to continue pushing themselves to the limit to achieve their absolute potential.
Winners of USU Sports Awards were as follows:
Rugby League
MVP- Karihi ketu
Team player of the year- Simon Adams
Touch Mix
MVP- Shealease Martin
Team player of the year- Dannica Maunga
Touch Mens
MVP- Stanley Cocker
Team player of the year- Nathaniel Jull
Volleyball
MVP- Etueni Lelevaga
Team player of the year- Daniel Tagaloa
Ultimate Frisbee
MVP- katrina Burnett
Team player of the year- Amy Orsbourn
Basketball
MVP - Corey Nock
Team player of the year- Quinns Finau
Football
MVP- Marin Lazzaroni
Team player of the year- Kaye Adams
Netball
MVP- Haree titoki
Team player of the year- Felicity Bray
Overall USU MVP Etueni Lelevaga
Overall team of the year Touch Mix
Overall Coach of the year Kojo Owusu
The Blues Awards were presented next, where six Unitec students were recognised for their amazing sporting achievement in 2011.
“The NZU Blue is one of New Zealand’s most prestigious and long standing awards that recognises a University student’s performance in representing New Zealand at the annual pinnacle event of their sport whilst successfully progressing their academic studies”
The recipients of Blues Awards on Friday night were:
Jessie Blundell for Swimming
Jasmine Holland for Karate
Samantha Reason for Roller skating
Kevin Toto for Touch Rugby /coaching
Lou Ernesto Guinares for Weight lifting ( Overall sports person of the year )
Steven Luatua for Rugby
Congratulations to all of those who received awards. We look forward to similar sporting success in 2012!