The athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, teams and clubs from across the Taupō District have played their part, and now the judges have had their say.
Winners in the Lake Taupō District Sports Awards 2026 were announced in a ceremony and celebration of outstanding sporting achievement, dedication and contribution last night at Wairakei Resort.
The top individual gong, Sportsperson of the Year – Adult, was presented to boxer Connor Campbell.
Campbell who competes nationally and internationally was a 2026 New Zealand Commonwealth Games representative competing in the elite 65kg. In the qualifying and selection tournaments for the Commonwealth games he won a slew of tournaments. He now has seven national titles back-to-back and equals the New Zealand record held since 1990.
The top award for an adult team was presented to Tom King and Sally Harrison – Deadly Dozen (High Rocks). The duo were Age Group Winners (40-44) at the Deadly Dozen World Championships at Crystal Palace, London, UK in September this year. To qualify for this event both competed as individuals at both regional and Oceania Champs gaining a number of podium results.
Triathlon coach Cameron Paul was named Coach of the Year.
Paul, a Tri NZ accredited coach with 15 years’ triathlon experience, has led the Tri-Sport Taupō Junior Development Programme for the past six years.
He has specialised in junior coaching and progressing athletes through the junior pathway towards elite level and is now developing a new primary and intermediate school athlete programme designed on building confidence and skills.
Youth Female Sportsperson of the Year is Bianca Stewart – X Terra/ Mountain Biking.
Stewart competes nationally and internationally and has received numerous podium place finishes in regional and local events.
Youth Male Sportsperson of the Year is Matthew More – Triathlon.
More has had an outstanding 2025/2026 season with his most recent achievement being his qualification and official selection by the New Zealand Olympic committee to represent New Zealand in the Men’s Individual Triathlon at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics. He has completed at a number of major events here as well as the Oceania Junior championships in Tasmania.
Taupō Phoenix Rugby League Club U14 Girls Team were named Youth Team of the Year.
The Taupō Phoenix U14 Kotiro have had an exceptional 2026 season, finishing the year as Bay of Plenty U14 Kotiro champions.
Competing in a tough competition they continued to develop with every match. Their citation noted that these young players are helping create a strong pathway for the next generation of girls coming through the club and show what can be achieved when young women are given the opportunity to compete, develop and succeed in rugby league.
Hugh Monro of Taupō Rowing was presented with the award for Club Contributor of the Year.
Monro, the Club Captain, makes an exceptional contribution to the Taupō Rowing Club through his leadership, coaching, mentoring and practical support. He volunteers many hours each week to ensure the club can operate effectively and provide safe, enjoyable rowing programmes for the Taupō community. He also maintains the club’s boats and other equipment and completes other practical tasks required to keep the boats on the water and the rowing programmes running.
Scholarship Winners
Gary Ramsay Charitable Trust – Outstanding all Round Junior Sportsperson ($1000 Grant Recipient) Michael Hancock – Triathlon
Hancock is a dedicated, versatile and highly motivated sportsperson who has shown significant growth throughout the 2025/2026 season. An all-round multisport athlete this year focussing on triathlon. His impressive results have resulted in him qualifying for the 2026 Triathlon World Championships. He also competes competitively in running and was captain of both the Tauhara College 420 Sailing Team and the First X1 Hockey team, at the national secondary school tournaments.
Lake Taupō Sports Foundation Scholarship Winner ($500 Grant Recipient) Isaiah Apiti – Underwater Hockey
Apiti has represented his sport at both national and international level. He has been selected in the NZ Men’s U19 UWH Team and played at the CMAS Worlds Underwater Hockey tournament in July in Turkey. He was a member of the Tauhara Secondary Schools Nationals Team which placed ninth at the National Tournament with Apiti named MVP. He is also plays football and badminton.
Lake Taupō Sports Foundation Scholarship Winner ($500 Grant Recipient) Nikea Williams – Polocrosse
Williams competed at the Under 21 Nationals and was selected in the NZ Under 21 team competing in Australia in September and December. She was also part of a winning NZ women’s team in South Africa and made history as the youngest women selected. She has now been selected for the NZ World Cup squad for Zimbabwe July 2027.
Lake Taupō Sports Foundation Scholarship Winner ($500 Grant Recipient) Toby Elmiger – MotorSport
Some impressive results mean Elmiger has been selected to attend the elite Motorsport Academy.
Lake Taupō Sports Foundation Scholarship Winner ($500 Grant Recipient) Matthew More – Triathlon
Lake Taupō Sports Foundation Scholarship Winner ($5000 Grant Recipient) George Fisher – Mountain-biking
Fisher has had an outstanding season at a national level and has also achieved many podium place finishes at local and regional level.
What makes George particularly deserving of this scholarship is not just his sporting achievements, but his commitment to his community. He volunteers at local sporting events, helps with club activities and is stepping into a junior coaching role with Taupō MTB Club, supporting and encouraging the next generation of riders.
This scholarship will help George with coaching, equipment, travel and competition costs as he continues to pursue his goals.
Organised by the Lake Taupō District Sports Advisory Council, entries in the awards were assessed by a panel of three experienced judges who shortlisted and then determined winners in the different categories.
This year’s sports awards sponsors include: Gary Ramsay Charitable Trust, B.F.A, David Reid Homes, DPA Charted Accountants, Empower Fitness Taupo, LakeFM, Lake Taupo Chiropractic, Taupo Pathways, Total Sport, Westerman and Zest Brokers and the Sports Advisory council.
