Prizegiving 2025
Yesterday we had the opportuntity to celebrate our riders, volunteers and past and present committee members.
Thanks to Chris and the Starling Park Sports Club facility for providing a wonderful venue this year. We hope you all enjoyed yourself.
Congratulations to everyone that competed in the new format for our Club Champs this season, and to those riders that took out the top of their respective colour groups.
A full list of all prize winners from our colour 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: Cosmo ZACHINSKIY
- NOVICE OF THE YEAR: Robin ZACHINSKIY
- COACH OF THE YEAR: Lisa ANDERSEN
- VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Kenna ZACHINSKIY
- HARD LUCK OF THE YEAR: Nic ARMITAGE
- MOST IMPROVED RIDER: Quinn BOWEN
- MOST DETERMINED RIDER: Jaeda GILLARD
- MOST PROMISING SPROCKET: Ollie DIETSCH
- MOST PROMISING JUNIOR: Savannah HOGG
- MOST PROMISING INTERMEDIATE: Charlie BURKE
- MOST PROMISING SENIOR: Andrew MACFARLANE
- OUTSTANDING SPROCKET: Freddie STANSFIELD
- OUTSTANDING JUNIOR: Henry HOGG
- OUTSTANDING INTERMEDIATE: Braxton GILLARD
- OUTSTANDING SENIOR: Toni JAMES
- MASTER RIDER OF THE YEAR, FEMALE: Nancy JAMES
- MASTERS RIDER OF THE YEAR, MALE: Gareth LAUCHLAN
- RIDER OF THE YEAR: Toni JAMES
LIFE MEMBERS
We are pleased to acknowledge the efforts and contribution to the club of Gareth Lauchlan this year with life membership.
Gareth LAUCHLAN: Gareth joined the Waitākere BMX Club in 2013 with his family after racing in Nelson during his teen years. In 2014 he joined the committee and has since stepped through the ranks from Secretary (2015 to 2017) and then President (2017 to Present). Throughout this time he has help to coach new riders, continued to ride competively and has been a regular on the podium at National events and the most recent Oceania titles. During his tenure he has seen the club grow, extensive track developments and the hosting of numerous successful events. It is with great honor that we awarded Gareth with a Life Membership, recognizing his enduring commitment and impact on our club.
OUR COMMITTEE
This year our committee has largely remained unchanged, however we have had one of our long standing members step down and it was the perfect opportunity to acknowledge their contribution to the club.
- Michelle Hiebendaal: Michelle joined the committee in 2015 and has been part of the club development for the last 9 years. From 2021-2024 Michelle ran the canteen, and then for the 2024/2025 Season stepped into the Treasurer role for the club. Michelle has been a greart part of the club providing plenty of hard work, support and a good laugh along the way. We wish Michelle all the best as she takes on her next challenge, you'll be sorely missed!
Those remaining in their roles are:
- PRESIDENT: Gareth LAUCHLAN
- SECRETARY: Taryn CLARKE
- TRACK MANAGER / VICE-PRESIDENT: Tim DICKINSON
- FUNDING OFFICER: Chris MANNING
- Gemma HOGG
- Vanesa Barboza
We are pleased to welcome the following members to the Committee for the 2025/2026 season:
- Geoff DIETSCH
- Nicole SMITH
- Kenna ZACHINSKAIA
- Nikita ZACHINSKIY
We're looking forward to working as a team to keep developing the club in the coming season.
THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS
Along with our riders we celebrated our Volunteers who have gone above and beyond what is expected over the last season.
- FOR GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND
Sylvie, Nicole, Geoff, Kenna, Isabel, & Nikita (absent: Carin Hammett)
- OUR THURSDAY COACHES
Lisa, Nancy, Ben, & Ella
- THE CANTEEN CREW
Khaz, Sara, Leanne, Laura, Bex, & Suo
- YOUR 2024/2025 COMMITTEE
Gareth, Taryn, Tim, Michelle, Vanessa, Gemma, & Chris
We can't wait for the start of the new season!
Your 2025 Waitākere Committee.
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Article added: Monday 19 May 2025
