Northlands top athletes will be announced at the 2017 Conbrio Northland Sports Awards on Friday 1 December at the ASB Stadium, Whangarei. This year the event will be hosted by Mereana Hawthorn and Scotty “Sumo” Stevenson.

Mereana has extensive experience in the broadcasting industry, starting as a radio host and creative writer in 1991. She worked her way through the industry to find herself at the helm as General Manager for Mediaworks in 1999. Mereana is regarded as an intelligent and talented speaker; she hosted the ASB Northland Secondary Schools Sports Awards on several occasions and has quickly become a preferred emcee for Sport Northland.

Scotty “Sumo” Stevenson is a well-practiced emcee and is regarded as a relaxed and entertaining interviewer.  Sumo has undertaken speaking and emcee roles with many of New Zealand’s rugby unions as well as some of New Zealand’s largest companies. Sumo is a SKY Sport Rugby Commentator and Editor of SKY Sport the Magazine and his humorous style has made him one of the most popular media personalities in New Zealand.

Both Mereana and Sumo are passionate and proud Northlanders, they both understand our communities and our people and for that reason we are excited to announce them as our speakers for the 2017 Conbrio Northland Sports Awards. 

This year Mereana and Sumo will have the pleasure of interviewing a panel of guest speakers. On the couch this year will be Hamish and James Marshall, Derren Witcombe and Charmaine Smith.

Hamish and James Marshall

Originating from Warkworth, the brothers are loyal Northlanders and pride themselves in being available to play for their home club and their provincial side, representing the Kaipara Flats Cricket Club and the Northland Cricket Association respectively. Both Hamish and James have been outstanding first class run scorers and both have represented the Blackcaps in both the Test and One Day International disciplines. Both diminutive and fluent batsman, Hamish and James are renowned around the world for their running between wickets and outstanding dynamic fielding attributes throughout their distinguished careers.

Derren Witcombe

Derren attended Pompallier College in Whangarei after having spent his early years in Taipa. He was selected for the Taniwha as a Hooker whilst playing for Hora Hora Rugby Football Club, in 2001, Derren made appearances for the Blues, and made five appearances for the All Blacks. He was identified as promising talent at hooker for the All Blacks, however unfortunately his All Black career was cut short by injury. Following retirement, Derren took up coaching and became head coach of Northland in 2013 and 2014 before departing in early 2015 to take up a coaching position at Japanese club Mitsubishi Dynaboars. This year Witcombe signed a contract to return to the Northland province as head coach for the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup and led the Taniwha to the championship semifinals.

Charmaine Smith

A Hikurangi local with links to Whakapara, like the rest of our guest speakers, Charmaine Smith is a proud Northlander. Charmaine joined the Black Ferns for the first time in 2015 making her debut vs Canada. With 16 test caps to her name, her rise to the top has been swift and exponential despite holding down a full time job as a Police Officer. Charmaine has proven a fast learner with her athleticism and ball-winning ability becoming a vital cog in the Black Ferns machine. Smith, a former netballer and North Harbour Sevens representative, proved herself to be a natural lock and picked up the technical aspects of the role quickly. Tall and athletic, Smith has a great work ethic and is renowned as being one of the hardest trainers within the Black Ferns squad.

Sport Northland is very grateful to have the support of this year’s hosts and guest speakers. The Conbrio Northland Sports Awards is aimed at recognizing the achievements and service to sport by people from throughout Northland and we are therefore very proud to have well accomplished hosts and an elite level sporting panel.

This year, for the first time ever, those in attendance will have an opportunity to interact with our panel. If you have a question for someone on our panel please ask them via our facebook page.

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