Olympic double-gold medallist Valerie Adams and an enthusiastic group of 14 Massey Olympians added a golden glow to the 2012 Albany Massey Blues awards that were presented at North Harbour Stadium on October 3.
Master of Ceremonies Hamish McKay presented a gift to all the Massey Olympians in attendance, before sitting down to interview Valerie on what her life has been like since the Olympics.
New Zealand University Blues have been awarded since 1919, and are presented to high-achieving students in both academic and sporting life. To earn a Massey University Blue, students must pass at least one third of a full-time study load over a year, and compete at provincial, national or international level in their chosen sport.
Black Sticks striker Gemma Flynn was named 2012 Massey Albany BNZ Sportswoman of the Year.
Valerie represents Midlands in the National Hockey League. She attended her second Olympic Games earlier this year.
A second-year Bachelor of Sport and Exercise student, she has been named in the World All Stars Hockey Team in 2009, 2011 and 2012.
Valerie interrupted her overseas travel to return to New Zealand to collect her Blues award.
The 2012 Massey Albany ‘BNZ Sportsman of the Year’ award was given to Para Olympian swimmer Daniel Holt, who broke the New Zealand and Oceanic records in the 400 metre freestyle S13 to finish fourth at this year’s Paralympics. He is a second-year Bachelor of Business Studies student and represents the North Shore Swimming Club.
His international swimming career began in 2007 and he has collected several gold medals and Paralympic swimming records since then.
Daniel is currently competing in the National Championships, and hence his mother Maree accepted the award on his behalf.
Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey said, “It takes passion, talent and opportunity to excel in life, and we are very proud to not only provide you with opportunity to excel in your chosen sport, but also to ensure that when you have finished with sport, you have a qualification you can use.
Richard Blamey, Senior Partner at BNZ Partners said that BNZ was delighted to support the Blues Awards again in 2012.
“BNZ has been a proud sponsor of the Massey Blues awards since 1995. We support the high standards set and the recognition of individual achievement. The event is a wonderful celebration of students sporting, cultural and academic success,” he said.
Among the recipients of the Blues Awards were Portia Bing, Sarah Cowley, Frazer Wickes (Athletics), Benjamin Gibb, Emily Collins (Canoe Slalom) Anna Green, Hayley Moorwood, Erin Naylor (Football), Samantha Charlton, Simon Child, Gemma Flynn, Hugo Inglis, Richard Petherick (Hockey), Rebecca Watkin (Karate), Travis Larsen, David Thomas (Rugby), Molly Meech (Sailing), Kurt Bassett, Amaka Gessier, Penelope Marshall, Neilsen Varoy (Swimming) and Sophie Corbridge (Triathlon).
Source: Massey News
