Weepu takes out top honour at Sports Awards

In a lavish Las Vegas themed evening the popular Wainuiomata halfback was presented with the Les Mills Sportsman of the Year award and the overall Hutt News Sportsperson of the Year award.

2012 is just the second year the awards have been run since 1988 when Sport NZ CEO Peter Miskimmon took out the top honour for his achievements in Hockey. 2011 marked the return of the Awards after a 22 year hiatus with runner Nick Willis receiving the overall winner’s trophy.

Categories and winners of the 2012 Hutt News Hutt City Sports Awards were:

• Hutt City Council Administrator of the Year: Stephen Hirst (Belmont Tennis Club)
• LT McGuinness Official of the Year: Jacqui Stephenson (Women’s Football)
• Hutt Manna Charitable Trust Athlete with Disability: Todd Neal (Special Olympics Basketball)
• Hutt Valley DHB Young Sportswoman of the Year: Julianne Alvarez (Golf)
• Hutt Valley DHB Young Sportsman of the Year: Scott Basalaj (Football)
• Pak’n Save Petone Coach of the Year: Brendan McIntyre (Football)
• Gillespie Young Watson Team of the Year: Joint winners, Hutt Water Polo Senior Men’s Team & Lower Hutt City Football Club Under 19s
• WHK Sportswoman of the Year: Kiri Shaw (Softball)
• Les Mills Sportsman of the Year: Piri Weepu (Rugby)
• Hutt News Sportsperson of the Year (selected from the winner of each category): Piri Weepu
• Hutt News Legend of the Year: Ross Collinge (Rowing)