Top sprint canoer has double win at the 2014 Blues Awards
AUT’s top athletes were recognised on Friday 17 October at the annual AUT Blues Awards, with a total of over 30 awards presented at this year’s ceremony. For the first time ever, the two supreme prizes were both taken out by one person. Teneale Hatton, a third year paramedicine student and world champion sprint canoer, received both the AUT Athletic Performance of the Year and the AUT Sportsperson of the Year.
Teneale is a current world champion in K1 1000m – a title which she won at the 2014 World Championships held in Russia. She is also the world record holder in the K1 1000m which she achieved at the 2014 World Cup held in the Czech Republic.
Teneale has also represented New Zealand in kayaking at the 2012 London Olympic Games in the K1 500m. As well as competing individually, Teneale has also competed with current Olympic champion Lisa Carrington in team events.
Teneale was not only recognised for canoe sprinting, but also received a Blues Award in surf lifesaving.
Other winners on the night included:
· Warrior and New Zealand league representative Siliva Havili who, as well as playing rugby league, is studying a Bachelor of Health Science, majoring in podiatry.
· New Zealand women’s rugby sevens representative Tyla Nathan-Wong, a second year Bachelor of Sport and Recreation student.
· Temalisi Fakahokotau, a Northern Mystic and Silver Fern who is also studying a Certificate of Education.
AUT supports athletes by offering an athlete support advisor to assist students to combine sporting goals with education, career and other life aspirations. This is to encourage athletes to succeed both on and off the sporting stage.
A broad range of services are offered, including:
· Advice on time management and educational guidance
· Career planning and development for athletes
· Assistance when arranging time off from studies because of sporting commitments
· Advice with setting goals for study, sport and life balance
· Employment information and tips
· Referral to other AUT services, particularly AUT Student Support Services
· Referral to external agencies.