Otago alumni take top honours at sport awards ceremony

Above: Otago graduate Suzie Bates bats for New Zealand against Sri Lanka at Nelson's Saxton Oval last November.

Otago alumni topped the podium in many categories at the 2016 ASB Otago Sports Awards, which were held in Dunedin in May.

Sportswoman of the Year

Cricketer and Otago alumna Suzie Bates took top honours in the NZME Sportswoman of the Year category.

Receiving the award continued the Otago Sparks and White Ferns captain’s recent winning form; earlier this year Suzie was named New Zealand Cricket ‘International Women’s Player of the Year’ and the Otago Cricket ‘Women’s Cricketer of the Year’ for the 2015-16 season.

Her playing and leadership abilities were also recognised at the highest level when the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack named her Leading Women's Cricketer of the World, after consolidating her “status as one of the power hitters of the women's game,” in 2015.

Suzie gained a Bachelor of Physical Education in 2012, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (endorsed in Human Nutrition) last year.

Read an Otago's People Q & A about Suzie Bates here:http://www.otago.ac.nz/alumni/people/otago616857.html

Above: A section of the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail and (left) Mike Neilson speaking at the award ceremony. (Images courtesy of Sport Otago)

Innovation in Sport Award

Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail (A2O) representatives accepted the University of Otago Innovation in Sport Award on behalf of the many people involved in developing the trail, which starts at Aoraki Mt Cook and finishes at Oamaru.

“People in Otago take pride in the achievements of their sports men and women, as well as in their outdoor, active lifestyle, but it’s the people who in turn drive these achievements,” A2O committee chairman Mike Neilson says.

Mr Neilson believes the win highlights the popularity of recreational sports and activities that are accessible to a broad demographic.

“Of course we play rugby and other team sports but we also ski, shoot, cycle and enjoy a host of other activities such as walking, tramping, climbing, duck shooting, curling, gardening and wilding pining!

“A2O will continue to enable people to enjoy the outdoors . . . while providing economic benefits for the district and community.”

Receiving the award will assist with future fundraising needed to construct the remaining 125km of new trail, he said.

When completed the A2O will be 305km long.

Mr Neilson, who owns and operates Lake Ohau Lodge and Ohau Snow Fields, “greatly enjoyed” studying at Otago in 1972 and 1973, before cross-crediting to Canterbury to complete a BSc in Maths.

“My favourite lectures at Otago, given in the Physics department – which was situated in the original heritage buildings – were on the theory of relativity and optics and light . . . the setting was like a Harry Potter movie.”

Sport Otago Business Development Manager Aaron Joy said having the University as a category sponsor helped “maintain the quality of the awards.”

“The relationship with the University is extremely positive and mutually beneficial. Celebrating excellence has been of immense benefit to both organisations – a number of University graduates have been either finalists or award winners over the years.”

The A2O project gelled with Sport Otago’s community-oriented goals of getting people active and supporting projects which had economic benefits for the region, he said.

Over the last three years 45,000 people have cycled the trail. Accommodation nights between Mt Cook and Oamaru have increased, with Lake Ohau Lodge experiencing a 22 per cent increase over the last year. The Mackenzie and Waitaki regions are also experiencing increased international visitors, which had flow-on economic value to the regions, Mr Joy said. Above: Ben Smith with his Sportsman of the Year award. (Image courtesy of Sport Otago)

Sportsman and Coach of the Year

Other alumni featured at the awards were Highlanders player and All Blacks vice-captain Ben Smith (who was named Speight’s Sportsman of the Year) and fellow Physical Education alumnus, Jamie Joseph, who received the Otago Community Trust Coach of the Year for his efforts reviving the fortunes of the Highlanders team.

Team of the Year

The Highlanders, sponsored by the University of Otago, won the Otago Daily Times Team of the Year.

Watch the full University of Otago Innovation in Sport Award video, featuring the A2O and its stunning scenery at: https://youtu.be/pvj3HfbPnMQ