Kia Kaha, Kia Ora | Be Active, Be Well

Forsyth Barr Hawke’s Bay Sport
​​​​​​​and Recreation Awards

The Forsyth Barr Hawke's Bay Sport and Recreation Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of our community, including its athletes, teams, clubs, coaches, and officials.

The awards celebrate innovation, excellence, and contributions to sport and recreation across Hawke’s Bay, from grassroots participation to elite performance.

The awards will be held on Wednesday 2nd of April 2025.

Please ensure you’ve fully familiarised yourself with the nomination guide before submitting your entry.

Nominations close on the 5th of March 2025 at 5pm.​​​

Commitment to Inclusion and Accessibility

Open to any facility, community organisation, physical activity provider or sports organisation or club that has shown commitment to providing inclusive and accessibility opportunities for people of all abilities to be physically active.  

Hawke's Bay Sportsperson of the Year

Open to any individual who has excelled in one or more sports within the qualifying period. 

Hall of Fame

The Hawke’s Bay Hall of Fame is in place to recognise legends of sport in Hawke’s Bay. To be eligible for this award, nominees must be strongly affiliated with Hawke’s Bay and must have been retired from competitive sport for at least 3 years. 

Community Initiative of the Year 

Open to a community organisation, physical activity provider or sports organisation or club who has undertaken a physical activity initiative that has contributed to and resulted in positive impact or change in the community. 

Sport and Active Recreation Partnership Award

Awarded to an individual, group, school, sports organisation or club who has identified, celebrated and encouraged a collaborative project positively impacting tamariki. 

Commitment to Community Coaching

A coach who creates a positive team culture, provides a great experience and encourages fair play and commitment to Balance is Better/Good Sports principles. 

Community Club Excellence

Outstanding contribution to grassroots sport by a club by way of providing inclusive playing opportunities that allow members to prosper. Nominations should focus on activities that have come to fruition during the qualifying period. 

Activating te Matau a Māui 

Open to any individual, be it athlete, administrator, coach, manager, official, Marae or Te Roopu Hapori - Community Group recognising influence in growing Māori sport (or Māori in sport) in the Te Matau a Māui rohe. 

Emerging Talent

Open it up to any individual junior athlete, official or coach who has excelled in one or more sports within the qualifying period and has the greatest future potential to be a Hawke’s Bay Sports Awards category winner in the future. 

Nominees must be 18 years of age or under at the time of nomination. This award can only be won once by an individual. 

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