Mark Sorenson, World
Championship winning Black Sox coach, took out the Premier Award at last
night’s Porirua Sports Awards 2017. The winners were announced last night at
the awards dinner at Te
Rauparaha Arena.
Porirua Mayor Mike Tana says the awards recognise, celebrate and reward sports people living in Porirua City for their achievements over the past year and congratulated all the awards nominees and the category winners.
“Porirua has a wealth of sporting talent and has produced many top sports stars. We’ve got a history of great sportspeople and this year’s line-up shows that we’re continuing the tradition.”
“There were some tough decisions for judges and I’d like to congratulate all of the nominees, category winners, the Kapi-Mana Elite Award winner and the Premier Award winner – we’re very proud that you represent Porirua and enhance sport in your chosen fields,” says Mayor Tana.
“It’s awesome that Pāuatahanui resident Mark Sorenson has taken out this year’s premier winner. Mark has achieved both as a player – winning four world championship gold medals and was three times New Zealand player of the year – and as World Championship winning Black Sox coach, who recently took out the New Zealand Softballer of the Year award. He’s also a member of the Softball New Zealand, World Baseball-Softball Council and New Zealand Sports halls of fame.
“These awards are an awesome way to recognise our up-and-coming stars, those who have been successful for a number of years and the coaches and volunteers who work to support them,” he says.
Premier Winner: Mark Sorenson (softball) – Michael Campbell Trophy
Kapi-Mana News Elite Award: TJ Perenara (rugby)
Sportsman: Jordan Ngatai (basketball) – Don Tricker Trophy, sponsored by Atiawa Toa FM
Sportswoman: Whitney Souness (netball) – Lynnette Brooky Trophy
Young Sportsman: Seamus Curtin (bowls) – Jerry Collins Memorial Trophy
Young Sportswoman: Mila Reuelu-Buchanan (netball) – Leilani Read Memorial Trophy, sponsored by Titahi Bay Lions Club
Disabled Sportsperson: Wilson Stock (Special Olympics swimming/basketball) – sponsored by Sound Services
Coach: Mark Sorenson (softball) – Porirua Community Trust Trophy
Team: Toa Men’s Basketball Team (basketball) – Ken Gray Memorial Trophy
Volunteer: Allan Smith (Special Olympics) – sponsored by Hiremaster
Service to sport: Viv Morton (swimming) – Porirua City Council Trophy
The Sports Awards are
made possible by support from Porirua City Council, Kapi-Mana News, Trust
House, Hiremaster, FM Functionmaster, AV Media, Titahi Bay Lions, Pelorus
Trust, Sound Sevices, and Atiawa Toa FM.
A special thank you to the judging panel: Kris Dando, Frances Solia, John Schwalger and Faafoi Seiuli.
27 Oct 2017
