The Aureum Sports Awards is where we celebrate our accomplished LAC athletes and all the amazing volunteers—students, staff and from the community—who help make sport possible at LAC. This year our guest speaker was Miles Pearce. Coach Miles is a former Tall Black basketball player who now coaches the Junior Tall Blacks and is the founder and head coach of True Hoops. Coach Miles shared with us a bit about his journey from player to coach, and some inspirational stories and advice for our young athletes. Standing at 6’9”, he was also in hot demand for photos afterwards! Congratulations to all the students who were acknowledged during the course of the evening.
Most Improved Players
Badminton: Musashi Nakao, Anna Carey (who also received the award for Badminton Manawatu 2020 Secondary School Shuttle Time Competition’s Most Improved Girl)
Basketball: Jesse Barber, Iakopo Pulega, Jacob Malaquin, Ben Raitaci
Football: Priyanka Tikari, Wei Xi
Futsal: Charles Padilla
Hockey: Grace Bismark, Angelina Cariga & Piper Fuller
Netball: Jorgina Field & Harmony Ngarepa, Bonnie Aydon-Nimmo
Rugby Sevens: Tagilima Pulega
Rugby Union: Leisana Kingi
Touch Rugby: Maizie Clarke
Volleyball: Gwen Kapao, Joyce Maliou, Pea Pulega, Ethan Daniels
All Round Legends
Badminton: Phoenix Dyer, Wei Xi
Basketball: Malakai Booth
Football: Daphnne Piiti, Liam Blakeborough
Futsal: Hunter Ward
Hockey: Daphne Piiti, Liam Blakeborough
Netball: Emma Brothwell (received for both Intermediate Mixed team & U15 Girls team)
Rugby Sevens: Eliud Ganaii
Rugby Union: Pea Pulega
Volleyball: Charm Nakono, Jessica Hiri, Eliud Ganaii
Most Valuable Players
Badminton: NN Miado, Musashi Nakao
Basketball: Journey Nakono, Moe Sekona, Titus O’Donnell, Eliud Ganaii
Football: Alevya Skerrett, Tino Mutsaka
Futsal: Tino Mutsaka
Hockey: Juan Saunders, Macy Paki
Netball: Ofa Patuwai, Emma Brothwell
Rugby Sevens: Titus O’Donnell
Rugby Union: Tra’est Mafile’o & Charm Nakono
Touch Rugby: Jacob Malaquin, Jaime Malaquin
Volleyball: Iakopo Pulega, Pea Pulega, Daphnne Piiti, Connor Azevedo-Leader
Athletics Cup: Alevya Skerrett & Titus O’Donnell
Cross Country Trophy: Elizabeth Martin & Titus O’Donnell
Swimming Cup: Gabriella van Wyk & Lucas Talamaivao
Troy Ferreira Memorial Award for Sports Team of the Year: Hockey Girls
Sport Manawatu Sportsmanship Cup:
Finalists: Liam Blakeborough, Emma Brothwell, Eliud Ganaii, Jessica Hiri & Wei Xi
Winner: Eliud Ganaii
King Family Sports Leadership Cup:
Finalists: Eliud Ganaii, Apia Kaukare Yawha, Bryan Mhonde, Macy Paki & Daphnne Piiti
Winner: Macy Paki
Sportsperson of the Year:
Finalists: Eliud Ganaii, Titus O’Donnell, Macy Paki, Daphnne Piiti & Alevya Skerrett
Winner: Daphnne Piiti
