Prize Giving 2024
Today we had the opportuntity to celebrate our riders, volunteers and past and present committee members.
There have been massive highs, heartbreak, injuries and tough calls throughout the season, but ALL our riders should hold their heads high with the skills, sportsmanship and determination they have shown. The team atmosphere and encouragement our riders and families give each other continues to impress.
Congratulations to everyone that competed in our points nights throughout the season, and took out the top of their respective age classes.
A full list of all prize winners from our age groups and excellence awards, along with photos from the event can be viewed at the following links:
Below is a list of our riders who have been awarded one of our annual Excellence Awards as voted for by their peers:
EXCELLENCE AWARDS
- STRIDER CUP: Wynter Mackay
- NOVICE OF THE YEAR: Ollie Dietsch
- MOST IMPROVED RIDER: Savannah Hogg
- MOST DETERMINED RIDER: Grace Larnder
- COACH OF THE YEAR: Ben Lauchlan & Nikita Clarke
- VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Vanessa Barboza
- HARD LUCK OF THE YEAR: Stella Philips
- MOST PROMISING SPROCKET: Miller Crawley
- MOST PROMISING JUNIOR: Henry Hogg
- MOST PROMISING INTERMEDIATE: Talia Macfarlane
- MOST PROMISING SENIOR: Ben Lauchlan
- OUTSTANDING SPROCKET: Freddie Stansfield
- OUTSTANDING JUNIOR: Tobias Dickinson
- OUTSTANDING INTERMEDIATE: Nikita Clarke
- OUTSTANDING SENIOR: Toni James
- MASTER RIDER OF THE YEAR, FEMALE: Lisa Andersen
- MASTERS RIDER OF THE YEAR, MALE: Kim Fai
- RIDER OF THE YEAR: Toni James
LIFE MEMBERS
We are pleased to acknowledge the efforts and contribution to the club of 2 exceptional individuals this year with life membership.
Chris Manning
We extend our deepest gratitude to Chris Manning for his invaluable contributions to the Waitākere BMX Club. Chris's dedication in establishing the canteen, his adeptness in securing funding through applications, and his pivotal role in the development of our facility have been instrumental in shaping the club's success and growth. It is with great honor that we awarded Chris Manning with a Life Membership, recognizing his enduring commitment and profound impact on our club.
Leesa Brewer
We were pleased to be able to acknowledge Leesa Brewer for her amazing impact on the Waitākere BMX Club since she joined us in 2017. Leesa's been the backbone of our points hut, and played a huge role in growing our club. We can't thank her enough for the incredible effort and contribution she put into organizing and running Norths, along with all other events and systems we use on a weekly basis at the track. We're were thrilled to award Leesa with a Life Membership to show our appreciation for all she’s done. Thank you, Leesa, for your dedication to the club!
OUR COMMITTEE
This year we have seen a number of our committee stand down and it was the perfect opportunity to acknowledge their contributions to the club.
- Steve Haigh: Steve joined the committee in 2015 and has been part of the club development for the last 9 years. He has seen the development of the club from a run-down dirt track through to what it is today. We wish Steve the best of luck as he pursues new sporting adventures.
- Dave Armstrong: Dave has been on the committee since 2016, working behind the scenes on all things electrical, digging trenches in the rain, and running our gate on club nights. As Liam has got older and moved away from BMX Dave has stuck around and we thank him for this.
- Leesa Brewer: Leesa joined the committee in 2017 initially as Secretary and later on as Treasurer. Leesa has been a huge part of the development of the club, spearheading the points hut, implementing many of the systems we use today and bringing our events to life. We can’t thank her enough for her efforts.
- Kim Fai: Kim joined the committee in 2019 and has been working behind the scenes helping with working bees, the hire shed, gates and day to day operational jobs. Kim is stepping down due to job and family commitments so will still be involved in the club going forward.
- Brandon McRae: Brandon has been with us since 2023 helping out and learning the ropes. With his recent move to Keri Keri he has stepped down form his current role. Keep an eye out as Brandon is working behind the scenes on something big!
- Softy Wi: Soft joined at the same time as Brandon in 2023 and has been helping out where he can. Due to family and life commitments he has stepped down form his current role, however will still be around and helping where he can.
Thank you all for your service to the club.
THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS
Along with our riders we celebrated our Volunteers who have gone above and beyond what is expected over the last season.
A huge shout-out to Vanessa Barboza, Geema Hogg, Nicole Smith, Khaz Grey, Sara Badawi, Julie Chait, Jasmine Pilkington, Stephanie Murray, Carin Hammet, Jonny Webster, Jen Penwarden, Bruce Grantham, Graeme Armitage, Sam Penwarden, Ella Hiebendaal, & Isabel Andersen.
We can't wait for the start of the new season!
Your 2024 Waitākere Committee.
Article added: Sunday 09 June 2024
