It was a transformative year for women’s sport around the globe and New Zealand was no exception with new stars, new records, new interest and moments that captured the hearts of Kiwis.

In what is our inaugural Team Heroine Aotearoa Women’s Sports Awards, we celebrate those Heroines and moments that have helped accelerate women’s sport in New Zealand outside or the pitch or court.

Congratulations to all winners but also to all those people and organisations that push the game to new limits everyday. New Zealand women’s sport wouldn’t be where it is today without you and your relentless support and dedication.

Team Heroine Aotearoa Women’s Sports Awards

1.Administrator of the year

Michelle Hooper - Tournament Director Rugby World Cup

Runners-up:

Andrea Nelson - CEO Cricket World Cup

Rachel Froggatt - CEO & Secretary General WISPA & IWG

Michelle Hooper, Andrea Nelson and Rachel Froggatt

2.Media outlet of the year

LockerRoom - driving everyday support for sportswomen & women’s sport

Runners-up:

Stuff’s comprehensive coverage of Rugby World Cup from its State Of The Union video series to tournament coverage

Three & Spark Sport’s joint broadcast coverage of Rugby World Cup

3.Women’s sport marketing campaign of the year

Wa Poi - It’s Poi Time, Rugby World Cup

Runners-up

ASB All Access - Rugby World Cup

Like A Black Fern - Black Ferns

It’s Time - Sport New Zealand

ANZ Nothing Can Stop Us - Cricket World Cup

4.Voice of impact

Arizona Leger

Runners-up:

Megan Compain

Alice Soper

Honey Hireme-Smiler

Dr Farah Palmer

5. Defining women’s sport moment

Black Fern’s Rugby World Cup win

Runners-up:

Launch of Tauihi Basketball League

40% representation of women on NZ Sport Organisation Boards by 64 out of 65 of NZ’s major sports bodies

Zoi Sadowski-Synnott winning NZ’s first ever Winter Olympics gold medal

6. Media Heroines

A team effort.

Too many incredible game-changers to recognize and celebrate but includes stars like Suzanne McFadden, Rikki Swannell, Zoe George, Dana Johannsen, Kirstie Stanway, Narelle Sindos, Ash Stanley.

Ash Stanley, Suzanne McFadden, Rikki Swannell, Zoe George, Dana Johannssen, Kirsty Stanway, Narelle Sindos

7. Women’s sport personality

Ruby Tui

Runners-up:

Sarah Cowley Ross

Melodie Robinson

Sene Nauopu

Ruby Tui, Sarah Cowley Ross, Melodie Robinson, Sene Mauopu

8. Commercial supporters:

ASB & ANZ

Runner-up:

G.J Gardiner

9. Women’s sport Innovators

Areto Labs - Track, moderate & counteract sexist, racist & hateful comments in your social media communities.

Runners-up:

Awwa Period Care - Premium, period-proof underwear.

Femmi - Connecting, educating and empowering women in sport, fitness and movement.

10. Business Maestro

Kelly Evans - Cultivate Group

Runner-up:

Jacqueline Comer - Areto Labs

11. institution change-maker

Dame Patsy Reddy - First female Chair of NZ Rugby

Runners-up:

Raelene Castle - Group CEO Sport New Zealand & High Performance Sport

Andrea Jackson - CEO Manawatu Rugby

Rebecca Rolls - Sport Integrity Transition Director

Dame Patsy Reddy, Raelene Castle, Andrea Jackson, Rebecca Rolls

12. Brand partnership

Kiwibank x Sarah Hirini

Runner-up:

Bunnings x Ruby Tui

13. The MVP

The old fans, the new fans and the casual fans who tuned in, turned up and talked about women’s sports!

People’s Choice

Coming soon…vote by commenting below.

Congratulations to this year’s inaugural winners and we look forward to celebrating more people & organisations that are helping drive the women’s game forward off the pitch in even more categories next year. 2023 is going to be an epic year with FIFA Women’s World Cup, the first ever WXV rugby competition, rising Heroines, growing brand interest and increasing media coverage.

Bring on 2023!

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