2025 Forsyth Barr Central Otago Sports Awards

Finalists have been announced and tickets are now on sale for the 2025 Forsyth Barr Central Otago Sports Awards. 

The 2025 finalists include world champions, Olympians, and emerging stars across disciplines as varied as alpine skiing, kayaking, athletics, rugby, mountain biking, rodeo, tennis, rowing, and snowboarding – as well as the often-unsung heroes in coaching, officiating and community sport. 

Recognising and celebrating the outstanding achievements of athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and teams from across Central Otago over the past year, the finalists in this year’s awards reflect the depth of talent, passion, and community spirit that drives sport in the region. 

Tickets to the awards night, which will be held on Thursday, 8 May 2025 at Lake Wānaka Centre, are on sale now and can be purchased via iTICKET: www.iticket.co.nz/events/2025/may/central-otago-sports-awards

2025 Finalists: 

Gary Anderson Sound and Vision Sportswoman of the Year 

  • Alice Robinson – Alpine Ski Racing 

  • Zoi Sadowski-Synnott – Snowboard Big Air and Slopestyle 

  • Sophie Winter – Ice Swimming 

Central Lakes Construction Sportsman of the Year 

  • Finley Melville Ives – Free Ski Halfpipe 

  • Rocco Jamieson – Snowboard Big Air and Slopestyle 

  • Finn Butcher – Kayak Cross 

  • Luca Harrington – Free Ski Big Air and Halfpipe 

Gallaway Cook Allan Junior Sportsman of the Year 

  • Mason Clarke – Cricket 

  • Levi Casey – Squash 

  • Luke Harrold – Free Ski Halfpipe 

  • James Weber – Athletics 

  • Lewis Laird – Mountain Biking 

  • Charlie Manser – Rowing 

  • Noa Milburn – Tennis 

  • Dan Milburn – Tennis 

Health 2000 Wānaka Junior Sportswoman of the Year 

  • Phoebe Laker – Athletics 

  • Brooke Hansen – Freeride Snowboard 

  • Mathilda Watterson – Alpine Ski Racing 

  • Sky Sanders – Rodeo 

  • Heidi Winter – Ice Swimming 

  • Eva Small – Freeride Skiing 

  • Siena Mackley – Running 

  • Zara Hazledine – Equestrian 

  • Rosa Dawson – Gymnastics 

  • Bella Breen – Rowing 

Jennian Homes Team of the Year 

  • Upper Clutha Rams – Rugby 

  • Wakatipu U18 Coxed Quad Scull 

  • Wakatipu U17 Boys Double Scull 

  • Wakatipu Boys U18 Double Scull 

  • Sky City Stampede – Ice Hockey 

  • Wānaka Football Club 

Otago Polytechnic Para Athlete of the Year 

  • Mac Denniston – Athletics 

  • Adam Hall – Para Skiing 

Workplace First Aid Coach of the Year 

  • Alex Dickson – Upper Clutha Rams 

  • Michael Beable – Athletics 

  • Dan Bogue – Para Skiing 

  • Hamish McDougall – Skiing 

  • Sean Thompson – Snowboard 

  • Nils Coberger – Alpine Ski Racing 

  • Murray Buchan – Freeski 

  • Cam Frear – Stampede 

Ray White Wanaka Junior Spirit of Central Award 

  • Charlie Nisbet – Gymnastics 

  • Eli La Rose – Swimming 

  • Liam King – BMX 

  • Ryan Enoka – Athletics, Ki Uta, Rugby 

  • Eva Small – Freeride Skiing, Mountain Biking, Multi-sport 

  • Matilda Watterson – Ski Racing 

Wānaka Physiotherapy Senior Spirit of Central Award 

  • Roger North – Wānaka Yacht Club 

  • Jess Lake – Cromwell Athletics 

  • Shane Norton – Central Otago Football 

Findex Official of the Year 

  • Flick Wallace – Snow Sports 

  • Craig Anderson – Rugby 

  • Adam Nagy – Ice Hockey