Three leaders in sport and recreation have been honoured for their dedication and long-term service, while excellence across the sector has also been recognised in the first Sport and Recreation Sector Awards.
Netball's Lois Muir, triathlon and surf lifesaving's Peter Fitzsimmons and yachting's Ralph Roberts have received Lifetime Achievement Awards.
The head of the independent judging panel, Sir Wilson Whineray, says the trio thoroughly deserved to be recognised by their peers after making . enormous contribution as sportspeople and administrators.
Awards have also been presented to recognise excellence in innovation, leadership, events, project collaboration and commercial partnership.
They include an innovation award for the Mates in Bowls programme, aimed at encouraging younger players ,and a leadership award for Bowls New Zealand;'s chief executive Kerry Clark.
