Old Boys Charlie Morrison (2017-2021), Walter Brown (2016-2020), and current Year 12 student Cooper Moore, have all been named as finalists in the Sport Canterbury 2025 Sport and Recreation Awards.

This highlights the continued excellence of Bedeans in the region’s sporting community.

Charlie and Cooper are up for the Lincoln University Outstanding Youth in Sport Award, while Walter has been recognised as part of the Canterbury Rams NZBL Basketball Team, a finalist for the Blackwells High-Performance Sports Team of the Year.

This tops off a stellar year for the three Bedeans. In December, Charlie was named Black Sticks Men’s U21 Player of the Year. In July, Walter and the Canterbury Rams claimed back-to-back NZNBL Championships, and just this month, Cooper won both the Australian Junior Amateur – the most prestigious junior golf tournament in Australasia (past winners include Adam Scott, Jason Day, and Cam Smith) – and the South Island U19 Championship.

The Sport and Recreation Awards, which this year drew more than 120 nominations from over 30 sporting codes, will celebrate an exceptional year in sport – highlighted by the success of Kiwi athletes at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. They also spotlight the continued excellence of local talent, such as Olympic gold medallist Hamish Kerr, Paralympic silver medallist William Stedman, and the Canterbury Rams NZNBL Basketball team.

“These extraordinary people and organisations epitomise excellence and dedication in Canterbury’s sport and recreation community,” says Sport Canterbury Chief Executive Julyan Falloon. “As they do every year, this year’s nominees represent the best of Canterbury.”

Congratulations to Charlie, Walter, and Cooper – proud Bedeans – for earning this well-deserved recognition at one of our region’s top sporting celebrations.

The 2025 Sport Canterbury Sport and Recreation Awards will be held on May 23.

Lincoln University Outstanding Youth in Sport Award Nominees

• Tiago Chamberlain (Kayaking/Surf Lifesaving)

• Cooper Moore (Golf)

• Charlie Morrison (Hockey)

• Gabriella Smith (Para Swimming)

Blackwells High-Performance Sports Team of the Year

• Canterbury Cavaliers Hockey

• Canterbury Men’s Cricket Team

• New Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club Female Surf Boat Crew

• Canterbury Rams NZBL Basketball Team