Aquatics Cook Islands won the major awards at the annual Cook Islands Sports Awards on Sunday night.

The 2023 Cook Islands Sports Awards took place at The Edgewater Resort and Spa, attracting sports enthusiasts from across the Cook Islands.

Organised by Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC), this annual event recognises outstanding athletes and honours various sporting bodies, technical officials, and administrators for their contributions.

Several sporting organisations were celebrated, including the Cook Islands Volleyball Federation, Cook Islands Touch Association, Cook Islands Rugby League and the Aitutaki Sports Association, which received multiple awards.

However, Aquatics Cook Islands was a standout, winning several major categories. The organisation won Sportswoman of the Year, Sportsman of the Year, Junior Sportswoman of the Year, Sports Achievement of the Year, Sports Administrator of the Year, and Coach of the Year.

Pacific Games gold medallist and record holder Wesley Roberts was deservedly named the Sportsman of the Year. He also won the Sports Achievement of the Year.

Top female swimmer Lanihei Connolly won the Sportswoman of the Year and Junior Sportswoman of the Year.

The Coach of the Year Award went to Horst Miehe of Aquatics Cook Islands.

Aquatic Cook Islands’ Leslie and Kieran, winners of the Sports Administrator of the Year award, expressed their joy and humility when they were announced as winners.

Leslie said, “We are happy and overjoyed yet humbled to receive this award.”

Kieran added, “This win is not just for us, but for all the nominees and everyone who supports the development of sports in the Cook Islands.”

“We are utterly happy that swimming in the Cook Islands has now become more recognised as a national sport. We hope to one day see Cook Islanders represent the country on a global scale in swimming.”

Winners

The 2023 Sports Award winners include: Sportsman of the Year: Wesley Roberts – Aquatics; Sportswoman of the Year:  Lanihei Connolly – Aquatics; Junior Sportsman Award:  Nelio George – Athletics; Junior Sportswoman of the Year: Lanihei Connolly – Aquatics; Masters Sportsperson of the Year Nominee: Serena Hunter – Canoeing; Pa Enua Sportswoman of the Year: Tatiana Sherwin – Athletics; Pa Enua Sportsman of the Year:  Nelio George – Athletics; Best Pa Enua Sports Association:  Aitutaki Sports Association; Best Pa Enua Achievement:  Aitutaki Athletics Association; Sports Team of the Year:  CIRL Moana - Rugby League; Junior Sports Team of the Year:  Women’s Under 16 Oe Vaka Team – Canoeing; Sports Achievement of the Year: Wesley Roberts – Aquatics; Fair Play Award: U19 Cook Islands Badminton Team – Badminton; Sports Administrator of the Year: Leslie and Kieran – Aquatics; Sports Technical Official of the Year: Lualua Tua Trood - Rugby League; and Coach of the Year Award: Horst Miehe – Aquatics.