SNZ Awards 2020

SOFTBALLER OF THE YEAR - MARK PORTEOUS

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Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we were unable to host this year's Softball New Zealand Awards in person. Click here or the above image to view the digital flip book of the nominees and winners for each award. Congratulations to all of our winners!
 
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR

- GWEN FLETCHER


VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR  

- ADRIAN YOUNG


DOMESTIC COACH OF THE YEAR  

- CARLEY RATU


Gwen

Gwen has worked tirelessly for over 15 years as Auckland United Softball Club Secretary.
In this position she handles all the administration for the Club which is vast and varied. Gwen is an active participant in all club fundraisers and is often on the organising committee for such events. Gwen is also the scorer for the Premier Men’s Teams and attends all their tournaments. Scoring for Auckland’s U18 Girls team and not to mention Auckland representative teams too. Gwen is highly regarded within the softball community and is invaluable as a committee
member for Auckland United. Gwen goes above and beyond to support the club and all things softball and was recognised last season as a Life Member of Auckland United Softball Club.
Gwen Fletcher is a very deserving winner of the SNZ Administrator of the Year Award for 2020


AJ has been an active member of the Manawatu Softball Association for the past 10 years and re -joined the committee in 2019. AJ joined the Softball 2020 Ltd Committee for the U18 Mens World Cup and was placed in charge of Infrastructure to get Colquhoun Park ready for this event in February 2020. During this period AJ was at the park all day every day working tirelessly committing incredible voluntary man hours with his small team of volunteers. AJ was a key member of Manawatu’s efforts towards making the World Cup a huge success. AJ to many is a hero, respected and loved by all and deserves to be acknowledged for his time, commitment, positive attitude and love for the game. AJ’s contribution is significant and has helped create a legacy for Manawatu Softball Association that will last decades.

Adrian Young is a very deserving winner of the SNZ Volunteer of the Year Award for 2020

Carley Ratu’s hard work and dedication has led to the U15 Canterbury Girls gaining back to back National titles. In June 2019 Carley took the Canterbury Baby Hawks to the Asia-Pacific Region Qualifier in Indonesia. The Baby Hawks were the first New Zealand Little League representatives after Softball New Zealand announced the new pathway in 2018. A constant student of the game that dedicates her time to the growth of the sport. Carley’s endless efforts of development of youth softball in the Christchurch area has gained respect from her peers. She goes above and beyond with her team, coaching them with integrity and strives to improve each player. Carley is a positive role model and works very hard for the girls she coaches.

Carley Ratu is a very deserving winner of the SNZ Domestic Coach of the Year Award for 2020

PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

- RICKY EARLEY



SCORER OF THE YEAR

- LYNNETTE LEATHART



UMPIRE OF THE YEAR

- MARK PORTEOUS




Ricky is well known in the softball community. He has passion, motivation and dedication to making sure the sport continues to grow and develop at club, provincial and national level. Ricky has an excellent attitude and rapport with players and officials. Ricky has evolved into a quality commentator having been contracted by Sky for delivery of Fastball 45, and the WBSC U18 Men’s Softball World Cup.

Ricky Earley is a very deserving winner of the SNZ Personality of the Year Award for 2020


Lynnette Leathart has significant achievements:
Northern Deputy Chief Scorer.
Scorer of an International Team.
Scorer at TAB Challenge Cup.
Scorer at U18 Boys World Series in Palmerston North.
Lynette is also respected and High-Level Performer and is well respected by players, supporters and other officials and administrators of softball. She enjoys the challenge of performing to a high level as a scorer. Maintains her Level 7 Scorer grading. Ensures she maintains her iScore competency also does WBSC Scoring – MyBallClub and is an Assistant New Zealand Statistician.
Lynette is an Active Scorer/Administrator. She is the team scorer for Auckland at National Tournaments, U15, U18, U23 and NFC. Statistician for Auckland Men and Women Premier and Reserves, helps Clubs to organise Tournaments and runs Scorers Clinics.
Lynnette does not step back from providing her honest opinion and always with the betterment of softball in mind.

Lynette Leathart is a very deserving winner of the SNZ Scorer of the Year Award for 2020


Mark has had an incredible year that culminated with his deserved selection to the Tokyo Olympic Games. Having umpired the 2019 WBSC Men’s World Cup final in the Czech Republic, the 2019 Asia/Oceania Olympic Qualifier final in China, and the 2020 WBSC Men’s U18 Softball World Cup final in New Zealand, has certainly achieved at the very highest of levels.
to these events, Mark was the lead official, and played a major role in the development of the officiating rules for the inaugural Fastball 45® event in 2019, is a passionate member of the North Harbour Softball Association, and assists the infrastructure, and organising committee for the 2022 Men’s Softball World Cup in Auckland. Mark has been a member of the National Umpiring Staff since 2013 and is the Regional Director for the Northern Region. Mark is also President of NHSU since 2008 and has been a member of the WBSC Rules Rewrite Committee since 2018.

Mark Porteous is a very deserving winner of the SNZ Umpire of the Year Award for 2020

CLUB OF THE YEAR

- OTAHUHU



ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR

- MANAWATU



NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR

- WAYNE NICHOLS




The first year for this award and it goes to Otahuhu Softball Club. This club ticks all the right boxes. With an active use of Social Media they are able to engage with their local community from registrations to promoting onsite facilities, updating members on club and player achievements and being able to host a prizegiving via Facebook. Otahuhu are able to demonstrate implementation and delivery of programmes such as year round training and development programmes for players, coaches, scorers and umpires. Otahuhu fundraising efforts don’t go un noticed with an annual club fundraiser, support from local business and Trusts. Otahuhu also maintains a relationship with the local council which will see an upgrade in the near future. A relationship with a nearby College also see their grounds go from 2 diamonds to 4. A well deserving club whose hard work does not go unnoticed.

Otahuhu Softball Club is a very deserving winner of the SNZ Club of the Year Award for 2020



The Manawatu Softball Association (MSA) are deserved winners of this inaugural award. Following incredible success in participation growth in recent years, and in particular in the rangatahi demographic, and setting the benchmark in regional tournament delivery, the association stepped up to deliver the 2020 WBSC Men’s U18 Softball World Cup.
The charismatic Jenine Scoon led a talented and dedicated committee to deliver the almost impossible. $1m was raised to secure infrastructure requirements, strong relationships with the Palmerston North City Council and the Colquhoun Park Trust resulted in a complete clubhouse transformation, and with groundworks starting just 4 months prior to pinnacle event delivery, the Association delivered the first age-grade world cup in New Zealand in over 31 years.

The SNZ Association of the Year Award 2020 is proudly awarded to Manawatu.

Wayne has been the Head Coach of the Developing Sox Boys programme for the last 18 months. Prior to that Wayne was the Assistant Coach under Head Coach Stephen Ratu. Wayne progressed successfully taking the team from second place at the U17 Queensland State Championships in 2018 to winning gold at the International Friendship Series last July. The DSX team won all but two of their 10 games, 3 of which included encounters against Australia Green and Gold. Wayne is a strong advocate for the national player pathway working closely with the Junior Black Sox to ensure athletes evolve in line with their programmes expectations.

Wayne Nichols is a very deserving winner of the SNZ National Coach of the Year Award for 2020
 

WOMEN'S EMERGING PLAYER OF THE YEAR

- CAITLYN LEWIN



MEN'S EMERGING PLAYER OF THE YEAR

- DYLAN JACKSON
 



WOMEN'S PITCHER OF THE YEAR

- JENNIFER FERET-BREAR
 


Caitlyn

Caitlyn faced challenges leading into the 2019 World Cup especially with her school and after school work commitments, which meant Caitlyn had very little spare time to focus on her training and leadup work during the week. However she made the most out of the little time she did get and went into the World Cup in peak condition. Her drive and focus was second to none. Her determination to succeed was evident, both individually and as a team. Caitlyn showed great leadership throughout the World Cup both on and off the Diamond. Her shear playing ability and aggressive approach to the game put her in the spot light, and subsequently Caitlyn was approached by more than 1 USA scholarship scout.

Caitlyn was simply outstanding and fully deserves the SNZ Women’s Emerging Player of the Year Award.
Dylan

DJ had an outstanding 2019/20 season, his sound knowledge and awareness of the game will put him in great stead for the future of our sport in a black jersey. A quiet young man who let’s his game do the talking and very well respected by his team mates and opposing teams. Overall a good team man who has the ability to slot into any side.

Dylan Jackson is a very deserving winner of the SNZ Volunteer of the Year Award for 2020
Jen

Jen pitched games against China and the Philippines at the 2019 Olympic qualifier. She pitched a combined total of 13 innings in the two games ending with an ERA of 1.08. Jen kept New Zealand competitive in both games with the 8 innings, 1 nil lost to the Philippines a stand out game for her.
In addition to this Jen pitched five games in the warm up tournament facing winning two games and facing 56 batters and an ERA of 0.0.

Jennifer Feret-Brear is a very deserving winner of the SNZ Women’s Pitcher of the Year Award for 2020

MEN'S PITCHER OF THE YEAR

- ERUERA DRAGE



WOMEN'S PLAYER OF THE YEAR

- STEFANIE SMITH



MEN'S PLAYER OF THE YEAR

- THOMAS ENOKA




2 seasons ago Eru decided that he needed a change with his Softball to try and push his performances to the next level. So he relocated to Wellington for the season to play for Poneke Kilbirnie. This change provided Eru with the opportunity to test his skills outside his traditional Auckland home area, against different teams on a weekly basis and saw his game take a step up. Eru returned to Auckland for the 19/20 season and joined the Roosters team in North Harbour. At the NFC Tournament in the Hutt Valley whilst representing North Harbour Eru almost single handedly pitched North Harbour to the National title, unfortunately the final proving one game too many. This performance displayed the promise and potential that many believed Eru had in him and we look forward to seeing many more performances like these in the future.

Eru Drage is a very deserving winner of the SNZ Men’s Pitcher of the Year Award for 2020

Stef had a solid year on the international stage. She represented the New Zealand U23 at The Canada Cup as a “quest” player and stood out with the bat ending with an average of .387. During the Olympic qualifier and lead up games Stefanie was consistent with the bat ending the qualifier with an average of .400 Stef played a number of defensive positions and her all round ability was of great value to the White Sox.

Stefanie Smith is a very deserving winner of the SNZ Women’s Player of the Year Award for 2020
Thomas

Thomas has been one of the premier athletes in world softball for a number of years now and this past season was no different. He covers a number of positions in the field, from outfield to infield and also shares the load on the mound for both his Auckland United Club and Auckland province. He is also a feared and respected all round hitter that has the ability to burn you a number of different ways. Whether it be with a line drive to bring in a team mate, a home run to clear the bases, or as we saw in Prague last year against Australia, a bunt single to start a key rally. He is in the Black Sox Leadership group and plays the game hard offensively, defensively and on the base paths.

Thomas Enoka is a very deserving winner of the SNZ Men’s Player of the Year Award for 2020
 
 


TWO NEW AWARDS

9 April 2020

The Softball NZ Annual Awards have historically recognised and rewarded individuals, individuals that have undertaken a mammoth amount of work over the previous 12 months.

An area that escapes us is the recognition of Clubs and Associations across New Zealand. As a consequence Softball NZ is introducing these two new awards.

The award is wide reaching, allowing Clubs and Associations of all sizes the ability to target areas where they can excel and make an impact. Therefore, the criteria allows Clubs and Associations to be recognised on one or multiple points. The criteria does not recognise successes on the diamond as these are a by-product of the good work undertaken off it.


Please click on the award below to submit an application.

DOMESTIC COACH of the Year

ADMINISTRATOR of the Year

VOLUNTEER of the Year

PERSONALITY of the Year

CLUB of the Year (NEW)

ASSOCIATION of the Year (NEW)