The Canoe Racing New Zealand Sports and Recognition Awards recognise and celebrate annual and long-term excellence in performance, coaching, service and contribution to the sport.
We are pleased to announce the finalists for the 2025 CRNZ Sports and Recognition Awards:
Female Canoe Sprint Athlete of the Year
- Aimee Fisher (Hawkes Bay Kayak Racing Club)
- Alicia Hoskin (North Shore Canoe Club)
- Tara Vaughan (North Shore Canoe Club)
Male Canoe Sprint Athlete of the Year
- Finn Murphy (North Shore Canoe Club)
- Quaid Thompson (Poverty Bay Kayak Club)
- Scott Martlew (Arawa Canoe Club)
Ocean Ski Athlete of the Year
- Danielle McKenzie (Bay of Plenty Paddle Sports)
- Gene Prato (North Shore Canoe Club)
- Rebecca Cole (Waitara Kayak Club)
Marathon Athlete of the Year
- Emma Kemp (Mana Kayak Club)
- Sam Newlands (Bay of Plenty Paddle Sports)
- Sophie Tasker (Hawkes Bay Kayak Racing Club)
Junior (18&U) Athlete of the Year
- Dylan Monk (Arawa Canoe Club)
- Jacqueline Kennedy (Poverty Bay Kayak Club)
23&U Athlete of the Year
- Kaiha Gilbertson (North Shore Canoe Club)
- Natasha MacGibbon (Arawa Canoe Club)
- Thomas MacGibbon (Arawa Canoe Club)
Team of the Year
- NZ Asia Pacific Sprint Cup U16 Women’s K4 – Alexis Toy, Zoe Anderson, Taylor Newman and Claudine Meerlo
- NZ Junior (18&U) Men’s K4 – Dylan Monk, Brydon Storey, Maxwell Kennedy, Lewis Monk
- NZ Women’s K4 at 2025 ICF World Cups- Olivia Brett, Alicia Hoskin, Tara Vaughan, Lucy Matehaere
Club Coach of the Year
- Ben Bennett (Hawke’s Bay Kayak Racing Club)
- Brian Scott (Whanganui Kayak t Club)
- Kendra Tate (North Shore Canoe Club)
Masters Athlete of the Year
Winner to be announced at the ceremony
Volunteer of the Year
Winner to be announced at the ceremony
Official of the Year
Winner to be announced at the ceremony
Club of the Year
Winner to be announced at the ceremony
Paddler.nz Spirit of Paddling Award
Winner to be announced at the ceremony
Excellence Awards, awarded for “Exceptional level of achievement or contribution to the sport” will also be handed out at the ceremony.
The 2025 CRNZ Sport and Recognition Awards will be held on Saturday 31st January at a special function in Rotorua. Finalists, winners, club representatives and invited guests will receive an invitation and details shortly.
