Sport Waitaki

29/05/2026

Exciting news for Ōamaru – parkrun is finally here! 🏃

Head down to the Ōamaru Public Gardens tomorrow morning and give it a go.

Ōamaru Public Gardens parkrun

Super excited to announce that we have our very first Ōamaru Public Gardens parkrun being held at 9am tomorrow!

Head on down to the wooden dock on the pond past the band rotunda and you’ll see lots of keen walkers and runners ready to participate in our first official parkrun! Safety briefing from 8:50am approx.

See you there and don’t forget your barcode!

28/05/2026

Just waiting for that Speight's bottle cap question… ‘Who’s the oldest debutante in Super Rugby history?’ 🏉

Massive thanks to Luke Thompson, our 2026 Network Waitaki Sports Awards Awamoa Sanitation Guest Speaker!

An incredible night hearing insights from Luke’s international rugby career, the coaches who shaped him and the lessons learned along the way.

We’re also hugely grateful for Luke’s $1000 donation to Sport Otago’s Sporting Chance, helping support Waitaki tamariki and rangatahi facing financial barriers to getting active.

North Otago Sports Bodies | Waitaki Community Recreation Centre |

22/05/2026

The 2026 Network Waitaki Sports Awards was a night to remember – and captured so well by Dave from Sports Images NZ! 📸

22/05/2026

Finding that fire again, rediscovering his why – then going on to win the Coast to Coast Longest Day for a second time! 🔥

Our 2026 Network Waitaki Supreme Sportsperson of the Year is Hamish Elliott! 🏆

North Otago Sports Bodies | Waitaki Boys High School Sport |

21/05/2026

He won the 2026 Kathmandu Coast to Coast Men’s Longest Day Elite One-Day and took out the Challenge Wanaka multi for the fourth year in a row.

Your 2026 Milligans Food Group Ltd Sportsman of the Year is…

Hamish Elliott 👏

North Otago Sports Bodies | Network Waitaki | Waitaki Boys High School |

21/05/2026

Representing New Zealand in the University Rowing Eight against Australia, competing at the Oceania Championships in Canberra, and earning both gold and bronze medals at the 2026 New Zealand Rowing National Championships.

Your 2026 Housekeepers Design Sportswoman of the Year is…

Emma Spittle 👏

North Otago Sports Bodies | Network Waitaki | Oamaru Rowing Club |

21/05/2026

She represented New Zealand at the World Rowing Champs in Lithuania, winning a B-Final, and was identified as a talent ID player at the South Island Secondary School Netball Tournament.

Your 2026 LJ Ho**er Oamaru Junior Sportswoman of the Year is…

Sadie Mason 👏

North Otago Sports Bodies | Network Waitaki | Sport Twizel | North Otago Netball |

21/05/2026

New Zealand Secondary School Duathlon Under-19 male individual champion and heading to compete in the World Triathlon Championship in Abu Dabhi in November! 🏃

Your Sutherlands Mens & Ladies Wear Junior Sportsman of the Year is…

Henry Ward 👏

North Otago Sports Bodies | Network Waitaki | Waitaki Boys High School Sport |

21/05/2026

Another outstanding year in the Fat Sally's Citizens Shield competition saw Excelsior Rugby Club claim the shield for a second consecutive season – the first time in 26 years the club has gone back-to-back.

Your Dean & Coleman Law Team of the Year is…

Excelsior Premier Men’s Rugby Team 👏

North Otago Sports Bodies | Network Waitaki |

21/05/2026

Multiple gold medals at Masters Games in events ranging from 400 metres through to the half-marathon, 1st woman over 70 in the Sri Chinmoy 24-Hour New Zealand Championships, where she also set a new NZ record in her age group, covering an incredible 142.034kms.

The 2026 The Totara Store Masters Sportsperson of the Year is…

Valerie Muskett 👏

North Otago Sports Bodies | Network Waitaki |

21/05/2026

He coached five crews to A-finals at Maadi Cup, achieving three podium finishes, and nine of his crews made A-finals at New Zealand Club Championships, including two gold medallists.

Your Milligans Food Group Ltd Coach of the Year is…

Ivan Docherty 👏

Network Waitaki | North Otago Sports Bodies | Oamaru Rowing Club |