North Otago Cricket's Hawke Cup-winning feats were at the forefront of the accolades at the Waitaki Sports Awards last night.

Unless you've been under a rock for the past 12 months, then the North Otago cricketers' giant-killing antics last March need no introduction.

Against all odds, they thrashed Manawatu by 159 runs on their home Fitzherbert Park wicket in Palmerston North, after earning a Hawke Cup challenge against them almost a year ago to the day.

Despite saying goodbye to the minor associations trophy in their first defence against Otago Country in late January, North Otago's cricketers were recognised at the Opera House last night, picking up the supreme Sportsperson of the Year and Team of the Year awards.

It was no pushover victory, with the cricketers staving off the victorious North Otago rugby team that took Meads Cup Heartland Rugby honours for the first time since 2007 and the St Kevin's College under-16 girls' rowing eight who defended their 2009 national secondary school title at Lake Ruataniwha last year.

But rowing didn't end the night empty-handed, with SKC schoolgirl Johannah Kearney named Sportswoman of the Year for her gold, silver and bronze-medal performances at last year's New Zealand Secondary Schools Rowing regatta.

Downhill mountain biker Jed Rooney fought off strong challenges from Sam Bond, Mike Sandri and David Simpson to win the Sportsman of the Year.

Rooney, 18, hasn't been shy about his ambitions to reach the top of his field and in 2010 finished runner-up in the junior men's Oceania Downhill Championships.

He also spent much of last year in Europe and Canada on professional biking circuits.

Freestyle kayaker Courtney Kerin wasn't on hand to receive the Junior Sportsperson of the Year award, as the former St Kevin's College student is studying in Uganda and America on a kayaking scholarship through an American school.

Her junior world championship bronze in Germany was enough to push her past cyclist Dylan Kennett, her main rival in the junior finalists.

The judges had their work cut out for them in the Coach of the Year section, but their eventual decision saw Barry Matthews receive the honour for the way he coached North Otago back to Meads Cup rugby glory in his first year in the job.

North Otago had finished seventh the year before.

The North Otago Rugby Union also took out the Sports Organisation of the Year for their progress during 2010.

Tennis player John MacDonald's long history in the sport was recognised when he was named as Veteran of the Year.

Macdonald, who has been involved in tennis in North Otago for more than 50 years, also won gold in the men's/mixed 65 and over categories at the 2010 South Island Masters Games.

Bowls player Peter Wylie was the winner of the Athlete with a Disability of the Year.

Wylie, who uses a wheelchair, won a gold medal at the New Zealand Disabled Bowls Championships, and has been selected in the national team to travel to South Africa for the international Disabled Bowls World Championships.

Adair Craik's commitment to and passion for triathlon saw her receive the Denis Birtles Memorial Services to Sport award. Craik has been involved as a competitor and an official for almost 30 years, and has been a driving force behind triathlon locally and nationally.

WAITAKI SPORTS AWARDS WINNERS:

Network Waitaki Sportsperson of the Year and North Otago Motor Group Team of the Year: The North Otago cricket team.

Sutherlands Junior Sportsperson of the Year: Courtney Kerin (freestyle kayaking)

Oasthouse Liquourland Sportswoman of the Year: Johannah Kearney (rowing)

Wilson's Sports Sportsman of the Year: Jed Rooney (downhill mountain biking)

Placemakers Coach of the Year: Barry Matthews (North Otago Rugby)

Sport Waitaki Sports Organisation of the Year: The North Otago Rugby Union

Milligan's Food Group Veteran of the Year: John MacDonald (tennis)

Redpaths Athlete with a Disability of the Year: Peter Wylie (bowls)

Hi Flo Plumbing Denis Birtles Memorial Services to Sport: Adair Craik (triathlon).

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North Otago 2010-2011 |