Finalists announced for the New Zealand Rural Sports Awards

The Sports Awards tables before guests arrive.

Athletes and administrators from timbersports, shearing, harness racing, rodeo, tree climbing, highland heavies, gumboot throwing and fencing have been announced as finalists in the New Zealand Rural Sports Awards.

In its seventh year, the awards honour the athletes and the volunteers and administrators who make rural sports possible.

Convenor of judges and Olympic medalist rower, Nathan Twaddle said the wealth of talent nominated was outstanding and it was a difficult job for the team of judges.

The Awards will be presented at a sold-out gala function at Awapuni Racecourse on Friday 10 March 2023, during the Ford Ranger New Zealand Rural Games Weekend in Palmerston North.

Guest presenters include Comedians Jono and Ben, Paralympian Gold Medallist Javelin Thrower Holly Robinson MNZM, Commonwealth Games Hammer Throw Gold Medallist Julia Ratcliffe, former All Black Captain and one of the greatest flankers in history – Ian Kirkpatrick MBE, and the 9th fastest bowler on the planet, Adam Milne.

View Finalists

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest

Share

Finalists announced for the New Zealand Rural Sports Awards
Steve Hollander

Steve Hollander

Founder

Steve Hollander is the founder of the NZ Rural Games Trust and a key figure in promoting New Zealand’s rural sports and community. In 2013, his pioneering vision led to the creation of the Trust, which successfully launched flagship events including the NZ Rural Games, the Rural Sports Awards, Agri Futures, and Clash of The Colleges.

His entrepreneurial drive extends beyond events. He is also involved with Future Post, an innovative company that recycles plastic waste into durable fence posts. A Christchurch-born sports enthusiast with a degree in Physical Education from the University of Otago, Steve has played multiple sports at a premier club level and still enjoys cricket and a hit of golf on a Wednesday afternoon.  His favourite rural sport is wood chopping.  

After extensive international travel, he returned to New Zealand, where his experience in the travel industry evolved into a specialisation in event travel management for major sporting events. Along with his wife Karen, he is passionate about harness racing and has been breeding, owning and amateur driving horses for many years out of their lifestyle property north of Auckland.