Finalists have been named for the Forsyth Barr Central Otago Sports Awards (COSA) ahead of the awards night on May 8.

The annual COSA recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and teams from across Central Otago over the past year.

Sport Central sport and active recreation advisor Jo Knight said the calibre of this year’s nominations - which features a number of Wānaka athletes, especially in snowsports - speaks volumes about the strength of sport in Central Otago.

“The level of competition made it incredibly difficult for our judging panel to select finalists, let alone winners,” Jo said.

“It’s a wonderful reflection of the dedication and talent that exists across Central Otago.”

The 2025 finalists include world champions, Olympians, and emerging stars across disciplines as varied as alpine skiing, kayaking, athletics, rugby, mountain biking, rodeo, tennis, rowing, and snowboarding – as well as the often-unsung heroes in coaching, officiating and community sport.

Wānaka finalists among the categories include rising 16-year-old running star Phoebe Laker, who most recently won a gold medal at the Australian National Athletics Championships this week, as well as her coach, Michael Beable.

There’s also Roger North, who has played an integral role in increasing youth sailing - participation and success - at the Wānaka Yacht Club; multi-disciplinary young athlete Ryan Enoka; and Wānaka Football Club.

Within snowsports local finalists include a range of well-known names including Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, Finley Melville Ives, Adam Hall, Luca Harrington and more.

Sport central sport and active recreation advisor Ben Hamilton says the awards night promises to be a special celebration for everyone involved in the Central Otago sports community.

“The Forsyth Barr Central Otago Sports Awards are about more than just celebrating individual success – they’re a chance for the whole sporting community to come together and celebrate an amazing year,” Ben said.

Tickets to the awards night are on sale now.

See the full 2025 finalists list below:

Gary Anderson Sound and Vision Sportswoman of the Year: Alice Robinson – Alpine Ski Racing; Zoi Sadowski-Synnott – Snowboard Big Air and Slopestyle; Sophie Winter – Ice Swimming.

Central Lakes Construction Sportsman of the Year: Finley Melville Ives – Free Ski Halfpipe; Rocco Jamieson – Snowboard Big Air and Slopestyle; Finn Butcher – Kayak Cross; Luca Harrington – Free Ski Big Air and Halfpipe.

Gallaway Cook Allan Junior Sportsman of the Year: Mason Clarke – Cricket;Levi Casey – Squash; Luke Harrold – Free Ski Halfpipe; James Weber – Athletics; Lewis Laird – Mountain Biking; Charlie Manser – Rowing; Noa Milburn – Tennis; Dan Milburn – Tennis.

Health 2000 Wānaka Junior Sportswoman of the Year: Phoebe Laker – Athletics; Brooke Hansen – Freeride Snowboard; Mathilda Watterson – Alpine Ski Racing; Sky Sanders – Rodeo; Heidi Winter – Ice Swimming; Eva Small – Freeride Skiing; Siena Mackley – Running; Zara Hazledine – Equestrianl Rosa Dawson – Gymnastics; Bella Breen – Rowing.

Jennian Homes Team of the Year: Upper Clutha Rams – Rugby; Wakatipu U18 Coxed Quad Scull; Wakatipu U17 Boys Double Scull; Wakatipu Boys U18 Double Scull; Sky City Stampede – Ice Hockey; Wānaka Football Club Otago Polytechnic.

Para Athlete of the Year: Mac Denniston – Athletics; Adam Hall – Para Skiing; Workplace First Aid Coach of the Year:Alex Dickson – Upper Clutha Rams;Michael Beable – Athletics; Dan Bogue – Para Skiing; Hamish McDougall – Skiing; Sean Thompson – Snowboard; Nils Coberger – Alpine Ski Racing; Murray Buchan – Freeski; Cam Frear – Stampede.

Duncan and Kelly Good Ray White Real Estate Junior Spirit of Central Award: Charlie Nisbet – Gymnastics; Eli La Rose – Swimming; Liam King – BMX; Ryan Enoka – Athletics, Ki Uta, Rugby; Eva Small – Freeride Skiing, Mountain Biking, Multi-sport; Matilda Watterson – Ski Racing

Wānaka Physiotherapy Senior Spirit of Central Award: Roger North – Wānaka Yacht Club; Jess Lake – Cromwell Athletics; Shane Norton – Central Otago Football; Findex Official of the Year Flick Wallace – Snow Sports; Craig Anderson – Rugby; Adam Nagy – Ice Hockey.

PHOTO: Supplied