Karatedo Shitokai New Zealand

 

At the recent Northland Sports Awards, held in Whangarei on the evening of 2nd December, Karatedo Shitokai did very well.

Nicky Roberts won the Female Karate code award, then followed it up with the Gary Frew Memorial Trophy for -21 Sportsperson of the Year (for the second consecutive year). Finally, she received the premier Female award, Northland Sportswoman of the Year, which recognises her as the premier Female athlete of any code in Northland. She won against some strong opposition, with some very strong performances coming from several sports, but Nicky's excellent competition results in 2011 could not be denied. For Nicky to be recognised in this manner at just 19 years of age is fantastic, and is a tribute to her determination, and "can do" attitude. As Nicky has repeatedly said, she has unfinished business in Karate, and with her drive and indeed talent, we can look forward to many more successes in the years to come. Nicky continues the success Karatedo Shitokai has enjoyed in the past, as in 2002, Travis Butler, a then student of Bob's, won the same awards, except he won Sportsman of the year.

As a final plus, Bob won Northland Coach of the Year, but as he said, he can only win recognition of this type if he has athletes of the calibre of Nicky and others such as Matthew Baird, Zara Wech, Matt Burns, and many others, to work with. Their determination to succeed makes coaching a pleasure.