2019 Wairarapa Times-Age Sports Awards. PHOTOS/FILE
SPORTS AWARDS
CHRIS COGDALE
[email protected]
The disruption to the sports season because of the covid-19 pandemic has resulted in the cancellation of two of Wairarapa’s prestigious sports awards.
The annual Wairarapa Times-Age Sports Awards, which recognise the region’s elite sporting achievements teams, have been deferred until June 2021.
Next year’s awards will encompass sporting excellence for the period April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2021.
Times-Age publisher Andrew Denholm said the awards would not be possible without the continued support of sponsors and with uncertainty over the sports year and the disruption to many of the sporting codes, it was decided to cancel this year’s awards.
The Wairarapa Times-Age Sports Awards were inaugurated in 1968, and apart from a period from 1977 to 1980, have been presented every year since.
Initially, only one trophy – Sports Personality of the Year was awarded – but the event has developed to encompass 18 categories recognising achievements of individuals, teams, clubs, and schools.
The annual Wairarapa Maori Sports Awards have also been cancelled.
Spokeswoman Jane Ross said due to uncertainty around further restrictions, the awards committee decided to cancel the 2020 event.
“Our decision has been made while placing the health and safety of our Wairarapa whanau at the forefront of our hearts and minds.
“We appreciate this is disappointing news, though we look forward to reintroducing the awards in 2021,” she said.
The Wairarapa Maori Sports Awards was started by the late Jeff Workman in 2007 to celebrate Wairarapa Maori sporting participation, achievement, and excellence, and to showcase positive role models.
Since then, the WMSA has grown in strength and in numbers to include new Sports Awards categories, sponsorship, and funding, including the Robert Algie Memorial Trust Scholarships.
