Gold medallist wins major Blue Award
The first Auckland University of Technology student to ever win an Olympic gold medal was presented with the University’s most prestigious sporting award by fellow team-mate, Dame Lisa Carrington, at the 2024 AUT Blue Awards last night.
The AUT Blue Awards recognise AUT students who excel in their chosen sport or area of art, design and culture, while maintaining high academic standards.
The 2024 Awards saw 41 AUT students recognised for their outstanding contributions in disciplines spanning from wheelchair racing to filmmaking.
One of many highlights of the evening came when Dame Lisa Carrington named her team-mate in the gold-medal winning K4 at Paris 2024, Tara Vaughan, as AUT Female Athlete of the Year.
In accepting her award from New Zealand’s greatest-ever Olympian, Tara said, “I’m part of the K4 so I’m part of a team - it’s not just me out there doing it. I’ve got a whole bunch of people to thank who have helped me achieve what I’ve been able to achieve but I’d like to make a massive shout out to AUT, especially to Bruce Meyer. It’s really important for me to keep studying while we’re travelling and competing and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without Bruce and the support of AUT.”
Bruce Meyer is AUT’s Manager – Recreation, Sport Development & Athlete Support, and has played a central role in supporting AUT students who are also elite athletes, to fulfil both their academic and sporting ambitions.
The ceremony also saw Brodie Miller (Ngāpuhi)named Male Athlete of the Year and Māori Athlete of the Year, Tyla Tuala awarded Creative Individual Performance of the Year, Helena Sanderson Athlete Scholar of the Year and Jaden Movold Junior Sportsperson of the Year.
AUT Vice-Chancellor, Professor Damon Salesa, said the 2024 Blue Awards was particularly significant following AUT’s role as the official university partner of the New Zealand Team competing at Paris 2024.
“The AUT Blue Awards acknowledge and celebrate the dedication, commitment and courage it takes to attain and sustain world-class performance – whether that is on the sporting field or in a cultural or artistic pursuit – while at the same time succeeding in academic study,” says Professor Salesa.
“It is a huge honour to acknowledge and celebrate all of our 2024 Blue Awards recipients and nominees. AUT has a national and international reputation for the impact and innovation of our sporting and artistic research and endeavours, and a large part of that is built on the talent and success of our incredible students.”
A University Blue is the highest sporting accolade attainable at university level. The tradition began in England, with competition between Oxford and Cambridge and their colours – both shades of blue – came to symbolise excellence in sport.
AUT’s 2024 six major award winners
AUT Female Athlete of the Year, Tara Vaughan – Sprint Kayaking
Tara made her Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 Olympics as part of the NZ Woman’s K4 who won Gold. Her gold medal team, including Dame Lisa Carrington, Alicia Hoskin and Olivia Brett also picked up a 2nd and 4th place at World Cup Events in 2024.
Tara is studying a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation.
AUT Male Athlete of the Year & AUT Māori Athlete of the year, Brodie Miller (Ngāpuhi) – Trampolining.
Brodie represented New Zealand at the Coimbra World Cup and Gymfest in Portugal in July 2024. He finished 3rd in the Individual trampoline and was part of the NZ Team that also finished in third place on the Team Trampoline.
Brodie is studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours).
AUT Athlete Scholar of the Year, Helena Sanderson - Sailing
Helena travelled as one of the 10 Kiwi Sailors to Melbourne, Australia, to compete in the 2023 Waszp World Championships. In a fleet of 100 boats, Helena placed 2nd in the women’s division so is now ranked 2nd in the world.
Helena is studying a Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science and is maintaining an 8.4 GPA.
AUT Creative Individual Performance of the Year, Tyla Tuala - Short Filmmaking / Acting
As part of team Chicken Nuggets, Tyla and her team were awarded the Grand National Winner of the 48 Hours competition 2024. The team were also the Grand National Winner 2024, Best Comedy Award sponsored by Viva La Dirt and in the Kirikiriroa Regional Awards Tyla won the best performer award.
Tyla is studying a Bachelor of Communication Studies.
AUT Junior Athlete of the Year, Jaden Movold – Athletics; Wheelchair Racing
At the start of 2024 Jaden was ranked number 1 in the world for the U20 T54 5000m.
He has recently competed in the 100m and 5000m at the 2024 International Open Para Athletics and placed 20th and 29th in the Open Men’s T54 division.
In addition to being an internationally competitive athlete, Jaden is an ambassador, advocate, and public speaker and a member of multiple committees including the Halberg Foundation Youth Council.
Jaden is studying a Bachelor of Arts Majoring in Psychology.
Summary of the 2024 AUT Blue Award recipients:
- 41 Blue Awards: 37 Sport Blue recipients, 1 Sports Official recipient and 3 Arts, Culture and Design recipients
- Our sports recipients represent 32 different sports, covering football, netball, trampolining and artistic roller skating - along with some amazing work from students in the audiovisual arts, illustration and acting fields
- 4 recipients are PhD students – Occupational Therapy, Nutrition, Art and Design, Health Science
- 14 degrees represented.