Outstanding international season recognised at awards
A breakout summer has resulted in Southland cricketer Jacob Duffy being named Southland senior sportsperson of the year for the second time at an awards ceremony on Friday night.
The Lumsden-born fast bowler, who also won the award in 2021, had an exceptional domestic campaign with the Black Caps in series wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Duffy, 30, was named New Zealand's player of the series against Sri Lanka, before turning his sights on the touring Pakistan team, from whom he snared 13 wickets in five matches, including a New Zealand record performance in a T20I of four for 14.
Duffy was ranked the world's No 1 T20I bowler by the International Cricket Council, and he was later named New Zealand Cricket's T20I player of the year.
Duffy, who has been playing county cricket in England during the New Zealand winter, said the past summer had been one to remember.
"To get consistent game time ... has been pretty cool. When you are out there in the big wide world against international teams you don't know if you are quite good enough, but you get to prove to yourself that you are good enough to compete against, literally, the best in the world."
"I've always appreciated my support from down south. I'm very proud to call myself a Southlander. All the people through my upbringing, schooling and at Southland Cricket have played a huge part in where I've got to today and I'm forever grateful."
A new format for this year's ILT Southland Sports Awards led to 90 nominations from nearly 30 sporting codes for the awards at ILT Stadium Southland on Friday night.
Motorcycle racer Cormac Buchanan won the Te Rourou junior sportsperson of the year category.
Middle-distance runner James McLeay, the first New Zealander in several years to qualify for the world under-20 1500m final, was recognised with a new distinction award.
Golfer Robyn Boniface claimed the masters achievement award after winning her sixth national senior women's golf title.
The Inclusive Activity Murihiku athlete with a disability award, a new category for 2025, was won by lawn bowler Julie O'Connell after she helped the New Zealand Black Jacks to a series win over Australia.
Maadi Cup-winning under-18 double scullers Harry Lightfoot and Sebastian Watson won the Southland team of the year category, and a distinction award went to the Hokonui under-18 marching team which won a third consecutive national title.
Julian Ineson, coach of New Zealand representative cyclist Marshall Erwood, claimed the coach of the year award.
Erin Criglington, the chief judge at the 2024 junior world track cycling championships, won the official of the year award, while Nicky McNaught, the only New Zealand referee selected for the world squash teams event in Hong Kong, received a distinction award.
The community impact award was won by the Southland Triathlon and Multisport Club, for its commitment to breaking down barriers to participation. Southland Sports Awards
Senior sportsperson of the year: Jacob Duffy (cricket).
Te Rourou junior sportsperson of the year: Cormac Buchanan (motorsport). Distinction: James McLeay (athletics).
Coach of the year: Julian Ineson (cycling).
Team of the year: Harry Lightfoot and Sebastian Watson (rowing).
Distinction: Hokonui Under 18 Marching Team.
Official of the year: Erin Criglington (cycling). Distinction: Nicky McNaught (squash).
Masters achievement: Robyn Boniface (golf).
Community impact: Southland Triathlon and Multisport Club.
Inclusive Activity Murihiku athlete with a disability: Julie O'Connell (lawn bowls).
Services to sport: Murray Heath (bowls), Tim Ward (swimming), Craig Smith (football), Danny Young (rowing). — APL
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