NORTHLAND LEGENDS OF SPORT​​​​​​​

Concept and current LEGENDS

LEGENDS OF SPORT

CONCEPT

Developed in 2004 by Sport Northland, the Northland Legends of Sport concept involves the inducting of selected icons of sport in Northland at the annual Northland Sports Awards Dinner. Inductees are selected by an independent group of judges brought together specifically for this purpose.

Northland Legend of Sport Criteria

To be eligible for selection as a Northland Sport Legend, nominees must:

  • Have made outstanding contributions to sport in Northland as a player, coach/trainer, official, administrator, teams, or media representative
  • Be an acknowledged icon who has contributed something special.
  • Have made an indelible impact in our community through their accomplishments.
  • Preferably be retired for at least five years (the panel can make exceptions on this one)


Be acknowledged as a ‘true’ Northlander by either:

  • Preferably living in Northland when achieving their accomplishments
  • Preferably representing Northland when achieving their accomplishments ( if applicable)
  • Being readily identified as a Northlander


(The panel have the right to make exceptions outside the stated criteria on a case-by-case basis).

​​​​​​​2004

  • Sid Going (Rugby) - Legend #1
  • Peter Hilton - Jones (Rugby) - Legend #2
  • Neti Traill (Table Tennis) - Legend #3

2005

  • Trevor Blake (Hockey) - Legend #4
  • Johnny Smith (Rugby) - Legend #5
  • Pat Murphy (Rugby Referee) - Legend #6

2006

  • Garry Frew (Table Tennis/Media) - Legend #7
  • Ross McPherson (Hockey) - Legend #8
  • Joe Morgan (Rugby) - Legend #9

2007

  • Laurie Byers (Cycling) - Legend #10
  • Brian Dunning (Cricket) - Legend #11
  • Ted Griffin (Rugby Coach) - Legend #12

2008

  • Blyth Tait (Equestrian) - Legend #13
  • Lyn Gunson (Netball) - Legend #14
  • Innes Davidson (Woodchopping) - Legend #15

2009

  • Grant McLeod (Hockey) - Legend #16
  • James Morris (Table Tennis) - Legend #17
  • Audrey Russell (Outdoor Bowls) - Legend #18

​​​​​​​2010

  • Sandy Hitchcock (nee Bennett) (Hockey) - Legend #19
  • Duncan Ross (Rugby Administrator) - Legend #20

2011

  • Peter Sloane (Rugby) - Legend #21
  • Michael Davidson (Swimming) - Legend #22

​​​​​​​2012

Dr Matt Marshall (Service to Sport) - Legend #23

2013

  • Ian Jones (Rugby) - Legend #24

2014

  • Bryan Young (Cricket) - Legend #25

2015

  • Richie Guy (Rugby Player and Administrator) - Legend #26

2016

  • Andrew Bennie (Equestrian) - Legend #27

2017

  • Bob Thomas (Athletics) - Legend #28
  • Shelley Kitchen (Squash) - Legend #29

2018

  • Pero Cameron (Basketball) - Legend #30

2019

2021

2022

2023

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