With more teams at the college and higher attendance at the annual Waitākere College Sports Awards, this year’s event returned to the Jackson Auditorium. This provided an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the sporting achievements of our students, staff, and wider community.
The evening commenced with supper and a mix-and-mingle, before guests gathered for the formal programme. We were privileged to welcome Erin Walsh, New Zealand Commonwealth Games boxer, as our guest presenter. Erin’s presence and support added significance to the evening and were greatly appreciated by all in attendance.
All coaches and managers were also acknowledged for their ongoing commitment and contribution to sport at Waitākere College. In addition, every school sports team recognised its Player of the Year and Coaches’ Choice Award recipient. The evening concluded with the presentation of the College’s elite sporting awards, honouring outstanding individual and team performances across 2025.
The big winner on the night was Jaden Lauvale, who was honoured as the school's outstanding athlete - Dux Ludorum for her exceptional rugby achievements. Jaden was selected for the NZ U18 Girls Māori rugby team, as well as being selected in the Auckland Thunder Women's rugby team. Congratulations, Jaden, well deserved.
Runner-up to Dux was Belle Ah Van for her outstanding netball achievements. Belle was selected in the UNISS tournament team for the second year running, as well as being in the Waitākere U16/1 Representative team.
The Junior Sportsperson was Vanesah Mapa-Tupou. Vanesah is an all round athlete, gaining success in basketball, netball, indoor netball and sevens rugby. Vanessah has particularly excelled in netball and indoor netball, where she has made numerous representative teams and gained a number of most valuable player awards in these teams.
Runner-up to Junior Sportsperson was shared by Jonathon Fotukava-Helu and Lewis Money, who were impossible to split for the mirroring basketball achievements both in school and at a representative level.
Elite Award Recipients:
· Dux Ludorum: Jaden Lauvale
· Runner-up to Dux Ludorum: Belle Ah Van
· Junior Sportsperson of the Year: Vanesah Mapa-Tupou
· Junior Sportsperson of the Year Runners-up: Lewis Money and Jonathon Fotukava-Helu
· Staff Service to Sport Award: Ashley Rogers – Netball
· Team of the Year: Open Girls Basketball
· Coach of the Year: Chrysanthe Hawken - 10A Netball coach.
· Student Coaches of the Year: Belle Ah Van and Gia Brown-Albert
· The Algie Family Student Service to Sport Award: Emily McCarthy and Jaden Lauvale
· Outstanding Performance: 10A Netball
· The Craig Trickett Volunteer of the Year Award: Dane Richards - U14 Open Boys Rugby.
· Fair Play Award: Chiminh Koy - Badminton.
· Official of the Year: Adam Zame - Football
The 2025 Sports Awards Dinner was a fitting occasion to celebrate the dedication, talent, and achievements of the Waitākere College sporting community. 2025 was another outstanding year for sport at Waitākere College and we extend our congratulations to all award winners and our thanks to the coaches, managers, staff, families, and supporters who continue to contribute to the growth and success of sport at the College.
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