Sports Person of the Year Awards 2009
The Awards ceremony was held on 25 November, in the presence of RA Parr, CN, and GP CAPT Alex Shariff RNZAF, Chairman of the NZDF Sports Committee. The Navy Band performed and the buffet was provided by the PHILOMEL Chefs.
The Admiral highlighted the success of Navy sport during the year:
Five Inter-Service titles (Golf, Netball, Women’s Football, Rugby League and Hockey), 86 Navy personnel selected for NZDF teams, and 12 Inter-Ship tournaments.
And the day just before the ceremony, TE MANA’s rugby team regained the Lou Smith Cup from the western Australian Fleet, with a 31-7 victory!
The RNZN Sportsperson of the Year, 2009: WO Gilvray Mohi, Golf
Gilvray Mohi has been an active member of the RNZN golfing fraternity and has represented the Navy at Inter-Services on 10 previous occasions. He has been selected for the NZDF team six times and played for them twice against ADF teams.
The tournament opened with the 36 hole stroke play to determine the Service champion, based upon gross score (i.e. handicaps do not count). WO Mohi made two sublime rounds (74,72) to take out the title by one shot and become the 2009 NZDF Service Champion.
For the IGA Cup (the best two net rounds) he achieved a score of 130 and was jointly awarded the cup with Mr Tony Rogers from Army.
For the Carter Cup (the team trophy for match play) WO Mohi inspired the Navy Team to win the Cup for the first time since the 1970s.
He was selected as the Number One player for the NZDF team, which won a test match against the ADF team, last April.
WO Mohi’s outstanding individual and team contributions have helped make 2009 a historic year for RNZN Golf. His positive demeanour, excellent course etiquette, superb sportsmanship and high level of skill truly encapsulate the core values of the RNZN.
The other nominee was LWTR Sarah Ngere, Football.
RNZN Team of the Year Winner: The Navy Inter-Services Golf Team
The team: CDR Greg Reynolds, WO John McKinney, WO Gilvray Mohi, WO Rob Gaastra, CPO Quinn Harris, OCO Sam Archibald, OMT Garry Smith, Mr Vic Weeks, Mr Sam Geange and CPOCH Scooter Coote, Manger.
The 2009 Inter-service Golf Tournament was hosted by the Navy at the Waitemata Golf Course, Devonport, in March. The key trophy is the Carter Cup for match play. A sustained and concentrated team effort is required and this was evident throughout the week. Their preparations included coaching, psychology and planning; winning against the Army set the tone for the tournament. Army then beat Air and Navy won the Cup for the first time in 20 years.
The team, a diverse group of ranks, ages and trades, all displayed a high level of sportsmanship, skill and teamwork. The result has generated a positive reaction amongst our golfers and uncovered new talent for the future.
The other nominees were: Hockey, Women’s Football, Netball and Rugby League.
RNZN Civilian Sportsperson of the Year: Mr Sheng Wong, RNZN Shooting Club
Sheng Wong’s achievements in the shooting sports span six different shooting disciplines with three different types of firearm. A member of the RNZN Shooting Club, he is a great ambassador for our Navy, when shooting in away competitions; he is noted for wearing RNZN Pistol Club apparel that has he has had custom-made for such events. Mr Wong is a great supporter of the Club and has gained invitations for the Navy Club to shoot at other ranges. Through his sport shooting achievements, Mr Wong has gained sponsorship, something that is rare in New Zealand except for the very top echelons of shooting sports.
The other nominees were: Sam Houghton, Rugby and Lucy Vano, Netball.
RNZN Manager of the Year: CPO Dean Fielding, Rugby
Dean’s love of rugby is unquestioned and his organisational ability is superb. Dean’s communications skills are outstanding and he has been integral in dealing with team sponsors and ensuring that the RNZN Rugby Team has first-rate uniforms and equipment. Dean is the current Manager of the NZDF team, recognising his achievement as a very skilled manager.
The other nominees were: Sarah Smith, Netball & Matt Christian, League.
RNZN Young Sportsperson of the Year: ODVR Piri-Mona Nepia, Rugby
Piri-Mona is new to the Navy rugby scene, and he has made a huge impact on Navy and NZDF rugby as well as on the North Harbour club rugby scene.
North Harbour Senior First
North Harbour U21
Navy Services Team 2009
NZDF Team 2009
RNZN Commonwealth Cup Team, UK tour
Commonwealth Cup Barbarians team 2009
The other nominee was: Louise Thyne, Football.
RNZN Coach of the Year: CPOWTR Zippy Rzepecky, Football
CPOWTR Rzepecky has this year been named as the NZDF Women’s Football Coach after a three year tenure as NZDF Women’s Football Assistant Coach and the RNZN Women’s Inter-Service Football Coach.
He put in place a plan to have the Women’s team peak for the August Inter-Service tournament. Upon his confirmation as NZDF Women’s Coach, NZDF Football rules meant that he could not also be a single-Service coach. However, the four months of build-up meant that the team was fully prepared and their transition to the tournament coach was seamless. The Navy Women went on to beat both Army and Air Force, winning the NZDF title for the first time, as well as three individual trophies.
The other nominees were: Ray Climo, Rugby & Randal Bartholomew, Hockey.
RNZN Sports Administrator of the Year, and The Pocket for Administration (awarded for outstanding administrative services to Navy sport over 5 or more years): POSA Matty Christian
Matthew (Matty) Christian is the Team Manager for the Navy Dolphins Rugby League Club. Matty’s leadership and administration have been exemplary, with a “get it done” attitude which allowed the coach and players to focus on their roles within the team. Other duties by Matty included the organisation and coordination of sponsorship drives for the club’s fundraising. He is also:
- Navy Cricket Club Treasurer since 2004.
- Navy Cricket Scorer and/or Umpire at Inter-Services 1992, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007.
- Navy Cricket Saturday Team Manager 2001 until present
- Navy Women’s Cricket manager and coach
- Under 21 Rugby Team Manager 2006 (he was named the Navy Sports Manager of the Year for his contribution to this team).
- Inter-Service Men’s Hockey Manager 2006 and 2009.
Matty also coaches and manages the Year 3/4 North Shore cricket team.
The other nominee was: Paul Gray, Golf.
RNZN Club of the Year: HMNZS TE MANA Sports Club
Ships’ sport is all about commitment, getting a side together despite all the other demands in a sea-going ship. TE MANA currently holds the Inter-Ship Hockey, Football and Rugby trophies and reached the finals of Netball and League. These competitions were held during the brief period the ship was in Auckland between back-to-back deployments to SE Asia, and many personnel came in from leave to represent their ship.
TE MANA holds the Malzea Cup (played against the Royal Malaysian Navy) and, along with ENDEAVOUR and members of the ODT, the frigate retained the Perth Cup for the RNZN for the 12th straight year against the FPDA navies. The ship’s company’s support for their teams was also outstanding and they exemplify the value of comradeship.
The other nominee was the RNZN Sailing Club.
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