Hawke's Bay's most accomplished young sporting talent will be celebrated early in November, following the announcement of finalists for the 2026 EIT Hawke's Bay Secondary School Sports Awards.

The annual awards recognise outstanding achievement, leadership, service and contribution across secondary school sport, celebrating not only athletic excellence but also the coaches, officials, volunteers and teams who help make school sport thrive throughout the region.

This year's finalists represent ten secondary schools from across Hawke's Bay and span an impressive range of sports including canoe racing, rugby union, netball, athletics, football, hockey, cricket, waka ama, swimming, boxing, volleyball, canoe polo, lifesaving and more.

A strong field of finalists has been named across the ten award categories.

The awards continue to showcase the depth of sporting talent emerging from schools across Te Matau-a-Māui, with athletes and teams achieving success at regional, national and international levels throughout the year.

Sport Hawke's Bay Regional Sport Director Olivia McKinnon said the quality of nominations and finalists reflects both the strength of young people in the region and the network of support around them.

"The calibre of this year's finalists is exceptional. These young people have not only achieved remarkable success in their chosen sports, but have demonstrated commitment, resilience and leadership while balancing the demands of school, training and competition."

McKinnon said the awards were also an opportunity to recognise those who contribute behind the scenes.

"Secondary school sport plays a vital role in developing confident, connected and healthy young people. It's fantastic to see coaches, officials and long-serving volunteers recognised alongside our athletes and teams, because their contribution is fundamental to creating positive sporting experiences."

The awards also highlight the diversity of sporting pathways available to young people in Hawke's Bay, with finalists representing both traditional and emerging sports.

"Every finalist should be incredibly proud of their achievements. To be recognised among the best secondary school sporting talent in Hawke's Bay is a significant achievement and a testament to the effort they have invested throughout the year."

Winners will be announced at the 2026 EIT Hawke's Bay Secondary School Sports Awards, bringing together athletes, schools, whānau, coaches, volunteers, sponsors and supporters from across the region to celebrate another outstanding year of secondary school sport.

The event is proudly supported by EIT, whose ongoing partnership helps recognise and celebrate excellence in secondary school sport across Hawke's Bay.

For a full list of finalists, see below:

2026 EIT Hawke's Bay Secondary School Sports Awards Finalists

Student Official of the Year

• Lucy Boere (Athletics) – Woodford House
• Jani Nell (Hockey) – Havelock North High School
• Willow Oliver (Hockey) – Napier Girls' High School
• Lucy Strong (Athletics) – Taradale High School

Student Coach of the Year

• Emma Beckett & Esme Dooney (Hockey) – Havelock North High School
• Maia McKenzie & Jaymie Pascoe (Netball) – Napier Girls' High School
• Seven Robinson (Canoe Polo) – Sacred Heart College
• Ayush Simil (Football, Futsal) – St John's College
• Makenzie Van De Steeg (Netball) – Havelock North High School

Service to Secondary School Sport (10+ Years Service)

• Clive Alderton (Rugby, Cricket) – Hastings Boys' High School
• John Bishop (Rugby Union) – St John's College
• Alistair Crawford (Rugby Union) – Hastings Boys' High School
• Matt Hardgrave Abe (Football) – Havelock North High School
• Rob Hay (Cricket, Football) – Lindisfarne College
• Caroline Johnson (Netball, Hockey, Royal Life Saving, Cricket, Touch Rugby) – Napier Girls' High School
• Mark Setford (Cricket) – St John's College

Team of the Year

• Hastings Boys' High School Waka Ama W12
• Napier Boys' High School 1st XV
• Napier Boys' High School Snow Sports Team (Hunter Byers & Oscar Prescott)
• Taradale Senior Girls Canoe Polo

Coach of the Year

• Trent Bray & Joe Hanks (Hockey) – Hastings Boys' High School
• Warren Gilbertson (Football, Futsal) – Taradale High School
• Vaine Maui (Waka Ama) – Hastings Boys' High School
• Tayla Swanwick (Canoe Polo) – Taradale High School
• Willie Tran (Rugby Union) – Napier Boys' High School

Female Sportsperson of the Year

• Emily Crowther (Netball) – Napier Girls' High School
• Paige Dobson (Athletics/Cross Country) – Napier Girls' High School
• Mercede Eunson (Boxing) – Taradale High School
• Hardiya Padda (Cricket) – Woodford House
• Mia Parker (Canoe Racing) – Havelock North High School
• Aria Taurima (Waka Ama) – Napier Girls' High School

Male Sportsperson of the Year

• Mana Barham (Volleyball) – Napier Boys' High School
• Mone Halaufia (Rugby Union) – Hastings Boys' High School
• Lachie Harkness (Canoe Racing) – Taradale High School
• Oliver Hutchinson (Canoe Racing) – Havelock North High School
• Will Lovett (Rugby Union) – Napier Boys' High School
• Carter Pirie (Rugby Union) – Napier Boys' High School

Female All-Rounder of the Year

• Greer Hambleton (Canoe Racing, Canoe Slalom, Canoe Polo, Netball) – Napier Girls' High School
• Lucy Kinnear (Surf Lifesaving, Canoe Racing) – Napier Girls' High School
• Charlotte McLaren (Swimming, Surf Lifesaving) – Iona College
• Brooke Speers (Swimming, Aquathon, Orienteering) – Havelock North High School
• Ava Williams (Cricket, Hockey) – Woodford House

Male All-Rounder of the Year

• Tye Engelke (Disc Golf, Badminton, Volleyball, Athletics) – Hastings Boys' High School
• Sione Kaufononga (Rugby Union, Waka Ama) – Hastings Boys' High School
• Jyde Low (Multi Sport) – St John's College
• Braden Turei (Swimming, Hockey, Ki-o-Rahi, Athletics) – Havelock North High School
• Andrew Wakefield (Cricket, Indoor Cricket, Futsal, Football) – Lindisfarne College

Article added: Tuesday 13 October 2026