Canterbury Sport & Recreation Awards 2025

Sport Canterbury looks forward to welcoming you to the Canterbury Sport & Recreation Awards 2025 to be held on May 23. May 20

About

We look forward to reconnecting with our community and welcoming you to celebrate the 2025 Canterbury Sport and Recreation Awards!

Award categories reflect the mahi Sport Canterbury undertakes and promotes within the community.

Nominations close on Monday, March 31.


 

Past Winners

What is a Sporting Legend of Canterbury?


Each year Sport Canterbury inducts two sporting icons into the Sporting Legends Hall of Fame.

The definition of a Sporting Legend of Canterbury is someone who:

  • Has represented the Canterbury region in their sport (Greater Christchurch, West Coast, Mid or South Canterbury)
  • Is an acknowledged icon in their sport and has contributed something special through their sporting career (competing, administration, coaching)
  • Continues to give back to the sporting community
  • Has made an indelible impact on our community through accomplishments and their legacy​​​​​​.

Award Categories


​​​​We have recognised the landscape of the Regional Sports Trust-run sports awards has been changing around the country to reflect the work RSTs undertake within the community and the balanced approach and participation drive from Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa.

To stay ahead of the curve, we have reviewed our past award categories and have evolved them to start the journey towards a more holistic approach to acknowledging those in our community doing great work, in numerous different forms.

Certain award categories have been amended to acknowledge multiple winners. This has been done to streamline the awards and show commitment and achievement can be made at all levels of sport, and tachievement is not one-size-fits-all.

Community Diversity and Inclusion Impact Award

Awarded to an unsung administrator/s, club, group, programme or initiative, that has positively impacted the sporting or active recreation community, and/or removed barriers for priority populations. The nomination may be for a single event or programme, season or yearlong commitment.

Coach of the Year - Community

Awarded to a community coach who shows evidence of success, created a positive culture and/or encouraged fair play and commitment to their chosen code over the past 12 months. Nominees for this category must be community coaches or any other coach in a wholly voluntary role, outside the performance space.

Coach of the Year - High Performance

Awarded to an individual coach who demonstrates success in a high-performance environment, creating a positive culture and/or commitment to their chosen code. Nominees for this category can be amateur or professional coaches, coaching in a high-performance space, over the past 12 months.

Volunteer of the Year

Awarded to a volunteer showing evidence of volunteering at a community, regional, national or international level, and has a commitment to their chosen code, club or organisation, over the past 12 months.

Official of the Year - Community

Awarded to an official who demonstrates evidence of officiating at a community level, the encouragement of fair play and has shown commitment to their chosen code, over the past 12 months. 

Official of the Year - High Performance

Awarded to an individual officiating at a provincial level at a minimum and has shown commitment to their chosen code, including supporting the development of aspiring officials over the past 12 months.

Outstanding Youth in Sport Award - Team or Individual

Awarded to a team and/or individual. Must be aged between 16-21 years. 

Para-athlete/s of the Year Award

Awarded to an individual para-athlete or team who has shown outstanding achievement in sport, over the past 12 months. 

Sports Team of the Year Award - Community

Awarded to a community team. Must show evidence of achievement in, and commitment to, their chosen sporting code at a local community level between March 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025.

Sports Team of the Year Award - High Performance

Awarded to a high-performance team. Must show evidence of achievement in their chosen sporting code in a major national or international competition, over the past 12 months.

​​​​​​​Sportsperson of the Year Award - Community

Awarded to an individual athlete. Must show evidence of achievement in and commitment to their chosen sporting code at a local community level. The athlete may compete as an individual or part of a team, over the past 12 months.

Sportsperson of the Year Award - High Performance

Awarded to a high-performance athlete. They must show achievement in their chosen sporting code in a major national or international competition. The athlete may compete as an individual or part of a team, over the past 12 months.

Sports clubs and sports organisations – Promote your sport by nominating teams and /or individuals in all categories to acknowledge their contribution and/or achievement in their chosen sport.