Awards Dinner 2025 Winners!
On Saturday 4th October, we proudly hosted our Annual Awards Dinner at Go Media Stadium. This was a spectacular event, highlighting our community and all the remarkable achievements from athletes, coaches, volunteers, supporters and families. We want to extend a massive thank you to all the event supporters, the evening would not have been possible without your ongoing and generous support.
We had seven incredibly deserving award winners on the night, all of which have thrived, have shown dedication and passion throughout the whole year, and have been an advocate of DSA.
The winners are as follows:
James Haydon - Athlete of the Year
James qualified for his first-ever 2025 Virtus Swimming World Championships in Thailand, where he won Youth Gold in the 100m Freestyle (placing 25th overall) and placed Fourth (Youth) in the 100m Breaststroke (15th overall). He also helped break the New Zealand record in the 4x50m Freestyle Relay. Beyond the pool, James is a passionate advocate for disability awareness, inspiring others through both his actions and achievements. He represented DSA at Pakuranga College, where he taught Year 10 students how to play wheelchair basketball and educated them about different disabilities.
Charli Gardiner-Hall - Youth of the Year
2025 has been a breakthrough year for Charli in athletics, as she stepped up to compete in the U20 age group at just 17 years old. Balancing her final year of college, Charli’s dedication is evident in her intense training routine, including 4am starts three times a week for strength and conditioning before school, alongside regular throwing sessions. Her hard work has paid off with multiple national and international achievements, including breaking New Zealand U18 and U19 Para records. Charli’s determination and passion for athletics makes her a standout athlete and role model.
Steve O’Kane - Coach of the Year
As the driving force behind the Athletics Programme, Coach Steve has created a consistently positive, inclusive, and supportive environment where every athlete can thrive, all while having fun. The progress seen by families is a direct reflection of his passion and his thoughtful approach to adapting activities to suit the needs of all participants. A true pioneer of the programmes growth Coach Steve continues to make a lasting impact on the DSA community, and we are incredibly grateful for his commitment over the last eight years.
Table Tennis - Programme of the Year
Table Tennis has been a successful programme for over seven years and has shown outstanding growth and commitment to our members. With an average of 25 players per session, the programme is known for its solid structure, high-quality coaching and clear development pathways, ensuring it offers an inclusive environment for all skill levels. This past year has seen significant growth, leading to the introduction of ability-based groups, beginners and competitive, ensuring tailored support for every participant. The programme’s success is reflected in the achievements of its athletes, with many now performing at a high level across regional, national, and even international competitions.
Gabby Wright & Jaden Movold - Volunteer of the Year
Gabby and Jaden have a strong connection with the athletics programme and their members. They generously volunteer their time on weekends to support our athletes, consistently showing up with enthusiasm and encouragement. As a positive role model, particularly for our youth, their actions both on and off the field reflect true leadership in the disability sport sector. Their commitment, motivation, and support have made a meaningful impact, and they continue to be someone our DSA members admire and look up to.
Matt Hoani - Rookie of the Year
In his first season with the Auckland Rhinos Wheelchair Rugby team, Matt has shown outstanding dedication and drive. His commitment to training, competitions, and CrossFit sessions has led to remarkable improvements in both his fitness and skills. A passionate advocate for adaptive sport, Matt actively encourages others to get involved and is dedicated to helping those around him succeed while feeling supported. He gives back to DSA through volunteering and supporting our programmes and events. Leading by example, Matt proves that it’s never too late to start something new.
Cat Wilson - Spirit of Disability Sport Auckland
A passionate advocate for swimming and member of the DSA community, Cat is known for her unwavering support and commitment to inclusion. She has been a valued volunteer at the Halberg Games and is a constant source of encouragement within our swimming programme at CLM The Bays. She is eager to learn and she recently attended a Deaf & Hard of Hearing workshop supported by DSA to further her understanding of all participants. As a proud representative of DSA she often shares the impact it has had, especially through the experiences of her daughter, Carys. She truly embodies the spirit of DSA, ensuring every member has the opportunity to participate and thrive through sport.
