Otago Blues and Golds Awards

For immediate release

University of Otago Blues and Golds Awards 2014

The highest honours OUSA can bestow to students who have excelled in Sport, Culture, or services to these, the University of Otago Blues and Golds Awards, were announced at a ceremony last night.

“The Blues and Golds Awards celebrate the participants in a diverse range of extracurricular activities at the University of Otago,” said Sycamore-Smith. “It’s important we honour and recognise those who excel in their chosen passion, and the outstanding contribution students and their supporters make to our community.”

“Over forty students, coaches, clubs and societies were acknowledged for their contributions and achievements,” said OUSA President, Ruby Sycamore-Smith. “These are the best of the best who have made Otago proud.”

“This year’s winners range from regional representatives and national performers to world champions,” said Sycamore Smith. “It’s amazing the talent and passion that is alive and well at Otago, and we congratulate them all!”

A full list of winners can be found on the following pages.

University of Otago Gold
Anna McBride – Dance
Anna is an integral member of the Otago Dance Association and currently sits on the executive committee. Throughout the past 12 months Anna has seen great success in her preferred discipline of Tap with numerous top placing’s in local competitions. Anna exudes passion and commitment for dance, and as a result of this she received a nomination to attend the PACANZ National Young Performer of the Year to be held in October of this year.

Kylie Price – Music
There is no doubt that many of you will recognise this name. Kylie has made an incredible contribution to the Otago music community and her talents are constantly being recognised with a string of awards to her name. She performed the Australian national anthem at last years All Blacks test held in Dunedin, opened for The Hollies on their 2013 tour, was the 2013 Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year overall winner, had her debut EP Wanderer // Wonderer reach #1 on the iTunes country charts, and was recently named finalist in the NZ National Country Music Awards for Female Country Artist.

OUSA Club of the Year
Otago Students Spearfishing and Hunting Club
The Spearfishing and Hunting Club have put a large emphasis on collaboration between clubs with everyone pushing to be the best they can be. In April of this year they hosted a BBQ along with the Otago Dance Association providing a medium for interaction and enjoyment. This club has only been running for two years, and the amount of work they have put in to grow the club and provide a supportive and fun environment is truly outstanding.

OUSA Society of the Year
Otago University Indian Students' Association
This group has had great success with their recent cultural night selling out both of their evenings at the start of September. Their presence is constantly growing and they are reaching out and becoming a real force in the cultural arena at Otago. These results have only come from hard work, determination and hours upon hours at the recreation centre.

OUSA Coach of the Year
Kayak Racing
The knowledge and passion Brendan has for Kayaking is second to none. He is a founding member of the OUSA Kayak Racing Club, and the time he sacrifices is invaluable to the club. Brendan is a great coach, and members have certainly benefited from his guidance in 2014 as they’ve attained great achievements.

University of Otago Maori Sportsperson of the Year
Jordan Housiaux - Canoe Polo
Jordan has made a name for herself as a gifted Canoe Polo player. She is clinical on the water, making life difficult for any opposition. She not only possesses the physical skills to compete on the world stage but is also a strong leader. She had the honour of captaining the NZ women’s under 21 side to a bronze medal at the 2011 World Championships in Poland. She has since been a part of the New Zealand Women’s team who came 2nd at the Oceania Championships in Christchurch, 4th at the World Games, as well as a National Championship title. She has recently been selected as a member of the New Zealand Paddle Ferns who are currently attending the World Canoe Polo Championships looking to better their previous 4th place.

University of Otago Sportswoman of the Year
Jordan Housiaux - Canoe Polo
(as above)

University of Otago Sportsman of the Year
Andrew Potter – Rowing
Andrew has had an incredibly successful year on the water. Representing New Zealand at the under 21 Trans-Tasman rowing series in 2013 and representing the University of Otago, Andrew again tasted gold in the 5km, 2km and was the winner of the best of three races in the St Petersburg State University test series. Following on from these performances Andrew was named in the Southern Regional Performance centre for the 2013-2014 summer season in the Under 21 Trans-Tasman Rowing Series with re-selection into the New Zealand under 21 team for 2014. His achievements have been impressive and we are proud to have him as a student at Otago University.

University of Otago Blue Awards Recipients

University of Otago Blue
Ben Anderson - Athletics
Tori Peeters - Athletics
Anita Snowdon - Basketball
Grace Love - Basketball
Jordan Aria Housiaux - Canoe Polo
Olivia Hall - Debating
Henry Flood - Football
Bridget Thayer - Netball
Andrew Potter - Rowing
Charlotte McIntyre - Rowing
Morgan Shepherd - Rowing
Ruby Alice Wilson Tew - Rowing
Nadia de Koster - Tae Kwon Do

University of Otago Graduates' Association Outstanding Contribution to Sport
Andrew Lee - Basketball
John Brinsley-Pirie - Debating
Paul Hunt - Debating
Calvin Berg - Football
Thomas Telford - Squash
Dean Jenkins - Tae Kwon Do

OUSA Coach of the Year Finalist
Brendan O'Neill - Kayak Racing
Joan Merrilees - Athletics
Rahul Das - Rugby Union
Dean Jenkins - Tae Kwon Do

OUSA Coach of the Year
Brendan O'Neill - Kayak Racing

University of Otago Maori Sportsperson of the Year
Jordan Aria Housiaux - Canoe Polo

University of Otago Sportswoman of the Year
Jordan Aria Housiaux - Canoe Polo

University of Otago Sportsman of the Year
Andrew Potter - Rowing

OUSA Club of the Year Finalist
Otago Students Spearfishing and Hunting Club
Otago University Debating Society
Otago University Men's Basketball Club
Otago University Rowing Club
Otago University Snow Sports Club
Otago University Squash Club

OUSA Club of the Year
Otago Students Spearfishing and Hunting Club

University of Otago Gold Awards Recipients

University of Otago Gold
Anna Rachael McBride - Dance
Kylie Price - Music

University of Otago Graduates' Association Outstanding Contribution to Arts and Culture Caroline Shie Siaw Mei - Brunei Culture
Abe Gray - Cannabis Law Reform
Katarina Schwarz - Dance / Debating
Alec Dawson - Generation Zero
Devika Patel - International Culture
Nicole Kwan Shao Wen - Otago Malaysian Students’ Assn
Andrew Tait - Politics
Rachel Su Theng Goh - Singapore Culture
Tharini Ishihara Nanayakkara - Sri Lankan Students’ Assn

OUSA Society of the Year Finalist - Otago University Indian Students' Association
OUSA Society of the Year Finalist - Fiji Club
OUSA Society of the Year Finalist - Otago Malaysian Students' Association
OUSA Society of the Year Finalist - Sri Lankan Students' Association

OUSA Society of the Year
Otago University Indian Students' Association

ENDS

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