Last night a special occasion for sport as the Dilworth 2026 Sports Awards winners were announced. The evening celebrated record breakers, champions, recipients of full sports colours, and special awards, celebrating sporting success in both quality and quantity.
Director of Sport, Miss Nicole Jensen, opened the evening: “We are all here tonight to celebrate, acknowledge and recognise the successes of our talented and hardworking sportsmen at Dilworth School.”
Guest speaker, ex-professional rugby player and Dilworth Old Boy James Arlidge (Class of 1997) has been successful both on and off the field. Having spent time in NZ and Japan playing top-level rugby, James has had experiences and opportunities he never thought possible. James offered some advice for our young athletes: “They talk a lot about taking opportunities, but I think being ready for opportunities as they come along is just as important”. James also very kindly donated one of his playing jerseys from his time with Japan.
This year’s Sportsman of the Year was awarded to George Kennedy, an athletics superstar who has shone on the track and has been a stalwart in our programme for 4 years, captaining the team in 2026. George has broken numerous Dilworth records over the years, represented Dilworth at the National Track and Field Champs, and was selected to represent NZ in the U20 4 x 100m relay team, which won a silver medal and broke the current NZ record. He is the current top-ranked 400m runner in the national secondary school age group and was invited last week to attend a camp as a member of the Black Batons NZ Senior Men’s Relay team.
Several other special awards were presented during the evening:
The Ian Hart award is awarded to an old boy or current student who is furthering themselves in the sporting arena. This year’s recipient is Jamiel Resma (Year 13), a dedicated and passionate weightlifter with goals to compete for New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics in the near future. Jamiel plans to focus solely on Weightlifing in 2027. In 2028, he will study a Bachelor of Science majoring in Exercise and Nutrition whilst still chasing his weightlifting dreams.
The Senior Satherley Award is presented to a Dilworth student who demonstrates outstanding sportsmanship, a willingness to help others, and true leadership. This year’s recipient is Tupou Veamatahau. A quiet and unassuming leader, Tupou goes about his business with a calm yet confident energy. On the field, Tupou is a fierce competitor, but when the whistle blows, he will also be the first to shake an opponent's hand. He leads by example and is well respected by his peers, teammates, and coaches.
The Toa Taiorerore Award is awarded to a student who has demonstrated excellence across a range of sports. The recipient of this award will embody “All-round Sportsman”. For the second year in a row, this year’s recipient is Steven Live Luatua. A member of the athletics team, 1st XV, 1st XII, and rugby and rugby league representative, Steven excels across a range of activities and exemplifies the Dilworth values when competing.
A huge congratulations to all the recipients of the 2026 Dilworth Sports Awards and to the dedicated teams behind them—coaches, managers, parents, and whānau—who work tirelessly behind the scenes to support each team and athlete on their journey.