Leesa lauded for efforts

Sports star: Leesa Lealaisalanoa is the talk of Porirua after confirming her status as one of the city's top young sports stars, taking away the young sportsperson and Premier trophies for her feats.

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Leesa Lealaisalanoa was the star of the show at the Porirua Sports Awards

The talented teenager was recognised for her outstanding achievements in shot put and discus in the last 12 months, dominating local, national and international fields.

She took out the Jerry Collins Trophy for the young sportsperson ahead of Franco Patu, Danny McDowell and Hoani Walker-Tepania before, to her utter astonishment, being awarded the Premier Award.

Wiping away tears and following congratulatory hugs and kisses from mum and dad, Lealaisalanoa thanked all the other finalists and threw in some nice words for her coach.

The awards evening, held for the first time at Te Rauparaha Arena, welcomed the city's best sporting stars, coaches and administrators and was compered by Porirua deputy mayor Litea Ah Hoi and Rob Rangi.

Lealaisalanoa was presented with her young sportsperson's award by Jerry Collins' father and spoke humbly.

"I'm not very good at public speaking but I just want to thank Porirua for this opportunity. I need to also thank my parents for their support and Titahi Bay [Amateur] Athletics Club. They got me where I am today."

The individual sportsperson trophy  renamed in honour of top golfer Lynette Brooky  was awarded to Northern United, Wellington and Black Ferns rugby player Aimee Sutorius.

Rugby was always going to be the winner in this category, with Tamati and Jacob Ellison also nominated.
Sutorius' brother, accepting on her behalf, said "she's a Porirua gal, she loves this place".

The Ken Gray Memorial for best sports team was always going to be a close one, with the dominant Titahi Bay Surf Life Saving Club's A crew up against the Central League-winning Western Suburbs side and the Tawa Tigers Wrestling Team, who won numerous regional and national titles.

In the end, Scott Laurenson, the latter team's coach, walked proudly up to accept the trophy from the Mrs Gray's widow Joy.

"It's a great honour to receive this," Laurenson said. "The time those wrestlers have put in, there's been so much hard work but we didn't expect to do so well."

The Porirua Community Trust Trophy for top coach was a battle of the two rugby codes  Jules Kuresa (Porirua Vikings) and Frank Rees (Northern United). Kuresa likely got the nod due to the way his side took out the Wellington Rugby League competition this season, thrashing fierce rivals Wainuiomata in the final.

Kuresa has taken up a coaching job on the Gold Coast so was unable to be present to receive his trophy.

The Service to Sport Trophy took some time to present, with the nominees  Ron Wood, Julie Elliott and Chris Kenny  all being lauded for their achievements and time given to rugby, softball and boxing, respectively.

Kenny accepted the award, saying the biggest buzz he got was when boxers he'd coached came up and said thanks years later, even when he'd forgotten who they were.

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