2025 Blues and Golds winners
Congratulations to the 2025 Blues and Golds Awards winners.
Lincoln University students serving their community and striving for excellence in sport were recognised at the annual Blues and Golds Awards ceremony.
On this page:
Supreme Gold Awards
Service Excellence Person of the Year
Cam Holmes
Cam Holmes
For four years, Cam has demonstrated exceptional dedication to service, leadership, and student wellbeing at Lincoln and in the wider community. He has served on the executive of the LU Student Volunteer Army and Christchurch City Young Farmers, and has contributed extensively to the Methven Football Club as secretary, committee member, and coach – highlighting his commitment to community engagement and youth development. Across all these roles, Cam’s service exemplifies the values of Lincoln University. His broad and sustained contributions make him a highly deserving recipient of the Supreme Award for Service Excellence.
Group Voluntary Contribution of the Year
Tasman 2025 Flood Recovery volunteers coordinated by Handy Landy's
Tasman 2025 Flood Recovery Volunteers
The students recognised for this award are Callum Stratford, Anna Stuart, Ella Hole, Sophie Crawford, Tor Robinson, Jed McCready, Troy Volman, Chonelle Ayson, Jessie McFadzien, Alex McCorkindale, Jess Quinlan, Arla Kippenberger and Austen Targett. Coordinated by Handy Landy’s, over three weekends, this group provided hands-on support to rural communities hit by severe flooding around Tasman. The group worked to clear fence lines, clean houses, yards and more. Their selfless, hard work making an impactful difference in the community.
Supreme Blue Awards
Sports Person of the Year
Fynn Mitchell
Fynn Mitchell
Fynn was a part of a team that placed sixth at the Adventure Racing World Champs in Ecuador, and second at the Magnificent World Series race. Fynn also won the 2025 Coast to Coast open men’s tandem.
Sports Team of the Year
Lincoln University Men's Under 23A Basketball Team
U23 Basketball Team
The Lincoln University Under 23A Basketball Team won the U23 CBA Championship for 2025. Most of the players were also a part of the Premier Men's teams that made the CBA Premier Men final and part of both the UTSNZ 3x3 and 5x5 teams that won bronze at both tournaments.
Team members: Cody Stevens, Jack Henderson, Mitchell Corkery, Sebastian Wilson, Tony-ryan Worthington, Joshua Muggleston, Zac Summerfield, Brody Cooper, Tanias Lavery and Mana Martin.
Coaches: Maurice Corkery, Rob Churcher and Moses Bygate-Smith
Gold Award Winners
Alex is an outstanding servant leader. He serves on the executive of numerous Lincoln University clubs including the Run Club, the Investment Society, and the Racket Club. Through these roles, he consistently promotes the university and represents it with pride. Alex is an exemplary Lincoln University student. His dedication, humility, and impact on others make him a very deserving award recipient.
Bella has been a dedicated member of the Selwyn Youth Council for the past two years, helping lead events such as the Selwyn Youth Carnival. Amongst her many contributions, she has assisted conservation projects, supported the Children’s University on campus, and volunteered at Orana Wildlife Park and the SPCA.
Cam has shown exceptional dedication to service, leadership, and student wellbeing at Lincoln and in the wider community over the past four years. His commitment has fostered inclusion, supported peers, and created opportunities for others to succeed.
Dharmik is a Kaiwhakarite Tauira Student Buddy who is consistent, reliable, and a true leader in the Student Buddy space. He understands the power of connection in community, his mahi strongly embodying the Lincoln values of manaakitaka and whanaungataka. Dharmik is very humble, and doesn’t seek any acknowledgment for his amazing work, making him even more deserving of the award tonight.
Grace and Halle are jointly recognised for this award. They are the current Tumuaki Takirua of Te Awhioraki. They go above and beyond their leadership role to support tauira Māori and ensure Māori voices are represented and heard across campus. They embody rangatirataka, consistently enabling students and staff to connect with Te Ao and Te Reo Māori through a wide range of activities and events.
James exemplifies leadership, service, and international engagement, making a significant contribution to Lincoln and the wider community. As Founder and President of LUCK - the Lincoln University Culture of Korea club - he has promoted Korean culture on campus and created an inclusive space for students of many nationalities. James also serves as a Student Reporter for Education New Zealand, writing monthly articles in Korean that showcase Lincoln and highlight international student experiences.
Kayley and Dee are jointly recognised for their service to women on campus and in the wider community. Building on the mahi of others, they work to empower women and support charities through initiatives such as pillow stuffing for women recovering from breast cancer surgery and a highly successful bra drive.
Since arriving in New Zealand in August 2024 to begin her PhD - her first time living outside Sri Lanka - Sanduni has shown strong commitment to service and community engagement. She has devoted countless hours to mentoring, student support, and volunteering, including with the Department of Corrections, running budgeting sessions for people preparing to re-enter society. Without a car, she first started this volunteer work by busing and walking more than 5 kilometres each time. Earlier this year, Sanduni was recognised with the Waitaha Canterbury International Student Award for Community Engagement.
Simon is a volunteer in the Kaiwhakarite Tauira Student Buddy Programme. He willingly gives his time to activities and events on campus that support a wide variety of students. Simon can be found in grounded most weekdays, his consistent presence providing stability for many of our students. Alongside others, he helped start the Music Club, which has brought together a diverse group of students from across the university.
Troy is often the first to volunteer for any worthy cause at Lincoln. His mahi is extensive: helping farmers after severe weather events through the Student volunteer army Kaikōura trip and Handy Landys Tasman trip, coordinating NZ Blood drives for the past two years, and serving as Secretary of the Lincoln Community and Residents Association. He has also supported Children’s University campus days at both Lincoln and UC for the past three years. Troy is an exemplary student who role models our values of manaakitaka, whanaungataka, and rangatiratanga.
Blues Award winners
Fynn was a part of a team that placed sixth at the Adventure Racing World Champs in Ecuador, and second at the Magnificent World Series race. Fynn also won the 2025 Coast to Coast open men’s tandem.
Kate represented New Zealand in the Under-23 World Cup in China, the Nations League in Doha, and at the World University Games in Germany.
Maddy played in Australia’s NBL1 for the Mount Gambier Pioneers. She was also a member of the New Zealand Under-23 3x3 team, as well as a reserve for the New Zealand 3x3 team who played in the women’s series and Asia Cup.
Tony played for the Canterbury Rams in this year’s Sal’s NBL competition.
Abigail was a member of the Canterbury Magicians cricket team for the 2024/25 cricket season.
Matt toured Bangladesh with the New Zealand A team and is also a contracted member of the Canterbury men’s cricket team.
Matthew was a member of the Canterbury men's cricket team for the 2024-25 season.
Molly was a contracted member of the Otago Sparks’ who won the national 50-over competition and were runners-up in the Super Smash- National T20 Competition. She now joins the Canterbury Magicians for the 2025/26 season.
Zakary has played for the Black Caps and New Zealand A team on their South Africa tour and is also a member of the Canterbury Men’s Cricket team.
Jack has been training and competing overseas as a professional cyclist. He won the opening stage of the Tour de Siak and went on to claim overall victory with his team Garuda Development.
Johanna has had a fantastic year in equestrian. She was part of the New Zealand Young Rider team for the Trans-Tasman clash in January, where the NZ team won and Johanna was awarded leading rider of the competition. She went on to win two national titles, top both the six and seven-year-old series, and was named Young Person of the Year at the Equestrian Sports New Zealand Hall of Fame Awards.
Cara was a member of the New Zealand Under 21 Black Sticks tour of Japan and played for the Canterbury Cats, helping them secure third place at the National Championships.
Charlie was a member of the New Zealand Black sticks team who won the International Hockey Federation Nations Cup in Malaysia earlier this year.
Georgia represented Otago at the National Hockey Championships and has been a valued member of the Alpiners team in the Junior hockey League.
Hannah represented New Zealand in the Under-21 Black Sticks tour of Japan, and played for the Canterbury Cats, who finished third at the National Championships.
Javahn represented New Zealand in the Under-21 Black Sticks, played for the Falcons in the Junior Hockey League, and represented Northland in the National Hockey Championships.
Moss toured China with the New Zealand A side in July and was also part of the championship-winning Canterbury men’s hockey team.
Ben is a member of the New Zealand Men’s Indoor hockey team who competed for the Noski Cup in South Africa, placing 4th.
Ella Represented Canterbury at the New Zealand Open Karate championships, winning silver in the Female open Kumit.
Scarlett was a member of the New Zealand Under 21s team to compete in the 2025 Asia Oceania Korfball Championships. The team winning silver.
Katie competed for New Zealand at the 2025 Australian Senior Nationals Lacrosse Tournament, placing 4th. She represented Canterbury at the Senior Women’s Nationals, placing third and was named in the tournament team. She also helped her University of Canterbury side to first place at University Nationals.
Macy debuted for the Mainland National Netball League team against Central Manawa, going on to win the National League competition.
Taiana represented New Zealand at the Under-21 World Youth Cup in Gibraltar. She was also a training partner with the Mainland Tactix, who went on to win the ANZ Premiership.
Alfred was a member of the New Zealand Universities rowing team that swept all four races against Australia.
George was a member of the New Zealand Universities Rowing team that took on Australia earlier this year, sweeping the competition with 4 wins from 4.
Henry won silver with the New Zealand Under-23 men’s eight at the World Championships in Poland. He was also a member of the New Zealand team to complete in the Windermere Regatta in Washington USA, also taking silver.
Luke competed at the Under-19 World Championships in Lithuania as part of the New Zealand junior squad.
Matthew was part of the Avon men’s eight that won the Premier title at Nationals this year, earning him a coveted Red Coat.
Oliver was a member of the New Zealand U23 men’s eight who won Silver at the U23 World Champs in Poland.
Payo competed at the Under-19 World Championships in Lithuania as part of the New Zealand junior squad.
Abby was named in the New Zealand Universities Rugby Team.
Alex is a valued member of the Canterbury Farah Palmer Cup team for the 2025 season.
Anna was named in the New Zealand Universities Rugby Team.
Anna was named in the New Zealand Universities Rugby Team.
Edie was named in the New Zealand Universities Rugby Team.
George toured Japan with the New Zealand Universities team and has played NPC rugby for both Southland and Canterbury.
Hannah has played for both the Black Ferns and New Zealand A’s Teams. Earlier in the year, Hannah played for the mighty Matatū and is now a member of the Canterbury Farah Palmer Cup.
Harriet is a member of the Canterbury Farah Palmer Cup team for the 2025 season. Harriet was also a member of the NZ universities team in the back end of 2024.
James represented New Zealand at the Under-20 Junior World Cup and is also part of the Canterbury NPC side.
Jonathan is a valued member of the Tasman Makos NPC team.
Lachie was a part of the New Zealand Universities Rugby team on their tour of Japan.
Louis was a member of the New Zealand Barbarians Under-18 team.
Louise was a member of the NZ Black ferns development team. She was also a member of the NZ Cavaliers 7’s Team and is a current member for the Canterbury Women’s Farah Palmer cup team.
Sophie is a member of the Canterbury Farah Palmer Cup team for the 2025 season.
Moriya won the Christchurch Open women’s competition, was part of the Canterbury team that placed second at Nationals and competed for New Zealand at the World Squash Junior Championships.
Natasha was a member of the New Zealand U23s team who competed at the ICF Junior and U23 World Champs where she placed 5th in the 1000m K1. At the national champs, Natasha dominated with golds in the U23 K1 1000m, K1 500m and K1 200m. She also placed 3rd in the women’s 1000m, K1 500m, K1 200m. Natasha Also Competed at the Surf Lifesaving Nationals, winning the U19 Female double ski and 2nd in the Open female ski Relay.
Natalie had a stellar year on both sides of the Tasman. She placed second at the Australian ISSF Trap Nationals in the B grade, first in the Commonwealth ISSF Championships B grade, Won high overall lady and 3rd in the b grade at the New Zealand ISSF Trap Nationals, and was part of the New Zealand Junior team that won the Glenn Shield against Australia for the first time in history.
Jamie competed in the Asian Champs with the New Zealand Under-21 beach volleyball team. He faced Australia in a test series with the New Zealand Under-20 indoor team and earned selection for the New Zealand men’s squad for 2025.