Bay of Plenty Polytechnic 2011 Bay of Plenty Sports Awards winners announced

Proving he’s still man of the moment, Rugby Seven’s coach Gordon Tietjens took out the Supreme Award at Friday’s Bay of Plenty Polytechnic 2011 Bay of Plenty Sports Awards.

Gordon, who also won the BayTrust Open Coach of the Year award, is no stranger to the Awards having also won the coveted title back in 1998. He continues to inspire and motivate New Zealand rugby sevens players and earlier this year had his efforts rewarded with a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games and first place in the 2011 IRB World Series.

Tietjens leads an outstanding field of category recipients including up and coming New Zealand cricketer Kane Williamson (Bayleys Real Estate Sportsman of the Year), world kayaking champion Lisa Carrington (King St Sportswoman of the Year), world rowing champion Mahe Drysdale (Eastpack International Athlete of the Year), world champion Taekwon-Do participant Kara Timmer (Eves Realty Junior Sportswoman of the Year), New Zealand under 20’s rugby team world cup winner Sam Cane (TECT Junior Sportsman of the Year), Rugby World Cup referee Bryce Lawrence (Canon Official of the Year) united and determined Tauranga Whalers United Club (Delta Corporation Club of the Year), and the progressive Bay of Plenty Gold netball team (The CNS Clinic Open Team of the Year).

Dr Alan Hampton, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Chief Executive, presented Tietjens with this year’s Supreme Award. “The performance and achievements recognised at the Awards demonstrated what a rich array of sporting talent we have in our Bay of Plenty region. In recognising our sports people we also must work together to try to retain them in the Bay as inspiration and role models for all those who follow them.”

For the full list of recipients, visit Sport Bay of Plenty.