Let the games begin!
New Zealand's largest celebration of rural sports athletes and enthusiasts – New Zealand Rural Games - is back for its 10th edition, kicking off in Palmerston North from Thursday, March 6th to Sunday, March 9th, 2025.
The awards celebrate the dedication, skill, and achievements of rural athletes, sports administrators, and coaches from across the country.
Convenor of Judges, Paul Allison, highlighted this year's exceptional calibre of nominees.
"This year's nominations set a record, with more nominations for athletes and contributors received than ever before," says Allison.
"The Ford New Zealand Rural Sports Awards play a vital role in celebrating the outstanding achievements of rural sportspeople, from competitors excelling in their fields to those working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the success of these sports," said Allison.
Annaliese Atina, managing director of Ford New Zealand, expressed Ford's pride in supporting the awards and acknowledging the incredible efforts of those involved in rural sports.
"Ford has a long and proud history of backing rural New Zealand, and we are honoured to recognise the remarkable athletes and sportspeople who represent the heart of our rural communities. These awards shine a well-deserved spotlight on the dedication, perserverence, and passion that drive rural sports," said Atina.
The gala dinner will include sporting personalities Erica Dawson, Tim Southee, Wayne Smith and others joining to help present the awards.
The finalists for the 2025 Ford New Zealand Rural Sports Awards are:
The PTS Logistics New Zealand Rural Sportsman of the Year Award:
- Jack Jordan (Taumarunui) - Timber Sports
- Tim Garrick (Gisborne) - Fencing
- Blair Orange (West Melton) - Harness Racing
The RX Plastics New Zealand Rural Sportswoman of the Year Award:
- Steph Dryfhout (Feilding) - Tree Climbing
- Catherine Mullooly (Gisborne) - Sheep Shearing
- Samantha Ottley (Christchurch, formerly Geraldine) - Harness Racing
The Fonterra Young New Zealand Rural Sportsperson of the Year Award:
- Rylee Ward, formerly Central Hawke's Bay) - Rodeo
- Carter Dalgety (West Melton) - Harness Racing
- Karaitiana Horne (Raetihi) - Motocross
Other awards include the Ford Supreme New Zealand Rural Sportsperson Award - judges select one overall winner to go home with the Supreme Award.
Nominations to these awards came from rural sports organisations or clubs involved in wood-chopping, shearing, horse-riding, tree-climbing, shooting, rodeo, harness racing, highland heavies, gumboot throwing, ploughing and fencing.
The awards gala dinner takes place at Awapuni Racecourse on Friday, 7 March, during the Ford Ranger New Zealand Rural Games Weekend in Palmerston North.
