SPORTS BLUES
PROCESS TO RECEIVE A SPORTS BLUE 

A Sports Blue will be awarded to individuals who have shown a high level of ability in a particular sport. A Blue is the most prestigious sporting award given at Columba College. Blues will be announced at the Sports Awards evening in October, held at the Marsh Sports Centre. 

Students must fill in the online form and submit it to the Sports Committee by the end of August to be considered.  

The Committee, which consists of the 6 members listed below, is chaired by the Director of Sport, and reviews each nomination. 

Blues Committee:
Director of Sport - Miss D. Turnbull
Head of Sport – Mrs Lauren Piebenga
Head of Physical Education - Mrs C. Sinclair
Sports Administrator - Mrs G. Beardmore
Sports Council Chairman  - Mr Brent Davies
Sports Council Parent Representative  - Mr Grant Porter

Please note – Committee members are required to declare any conflict of interest and will withdraw from the discussion and decision-making process for any particular award(s) where a conflict is identified.

Following are the criteria and factors the Committee considers before awarding a Sports Blue, the highest honour in sport at the College.  Consideration is given to the age level of the student, the standard of competition, the number of competitors, and the strength of the sport:

1. Endorsement by TIC

Students must be endorsed by the TIC of their sport and be recognised as someone who upholds the Columba GRACE values. 

2. Character and Commitment

Students are expected to respect the special character of Columba and to represent our College with GRACE and pride.  There must be evidence of commitment, discipline and hard work. The student must be a good role model to other students within their sport and the wider College community and display characteristics of sportsmanship and fair play.

3. Level of Representation 

This award acknowledges students who have been selected for the top regional representative team, usually at Senior School level, as defined by the governing regional sports body. Please note that the applicant must be a member of a team. ‘Squads’ are not recognised as the top regional team. Non travelling reserves are also not eligible for this award. Note: any students who are selected in South Island or New Zealand squads will be eligible.

1. College Representation
   Students must have represented Columba College in their sport, if the sport is offered by the College, and be a member of the top College team for the current year (Senior A, 1st Xl, XV etc) .
   
   Breaking College records, attendance, appearance, behaviour, commitment and service to sport at Columba College will be taken into account.
   
   Exchange Results - Winter STAC and QUAD Tournaments may be considered if necessary for those teams involved.
   
   Further strength will be given to your Blue application based on results from South Island Secondary School Championships and New Zealand Secondary School Nationals as either an individual or as part of a team.
   
   

2. Regional Representation

Being selected in a top regional open elite representative team will warrant consideration for a Blue.  However, being in an age-group regional representative team alone, will not qualify you for a Blues Award.

Individual athletes representing their region at a National Competition will need to place in the Top 5 to be eligible for consideration. 

Athletes representing their region at a National Championship as part of an age group team will need to place in the Top 3 to be eligible for consideration.

c. National Representation
Selection in a South Island Travelling Team will offer strong consideration.

Selection in a New Zealand Team or Squad is an automatic Blues qualification.

Other considerations:

1. Blues Awards are awarded individually, they are not awards for team success.   Team success must work in conjunction with individual success.

2. Consideration is given to the age level of the student, the standard of competition, the number of competitors, and also the strength of the sport. Injuries and health issues may come into consideration by the committee. Special Recognition Accolades are also considered. E.g. Tournament Team, Talent ID Groups, Performance Academies, Selected Training Camps, MVP Honours or Highly Contentious Awards.

3. Where a sport has several events or disciplines i.e. equestrian (eventing, show jumping and dressage) three Blues will not be given but rather, ie. one Blue for equestrian. The same applies to cycling (track and road) where one Blue could be given for cycling; and for athletics (sprinting, jumping and throwing) where the Blue could be awarded for athletics. 

4. Coaching, officiating or helping with the administration of the sport being applied for may be considered, however Sports Blues are given for performance in sport not service to sport.

5. If a majority decision cannot be reached by the Committee, input may be sought from the Senior Leadership Team and other relevant parties.  

6. The Committee reserves the right to make decisions that deviate from the above criteria where it considers exceptional circumstances are involved. 

7. Decisions of the Committee are final.  

Students are encouraged to fill out the application form in detail as the Committee will make its decision based on the evidence provided. Applicants must ensure that all the information provided in their online form is correct.  Contact details must be supplied for a referee (coach or manager) and the applicant must grant permission for their referee/coach to be contacted  if necessary.  A separate application must be filled out for each sport.  

Please note, Blues are for results recorded between term four of the previous year and the end of term 3 in the current year. Blues are in relation to the relevant year, not previous years’ successes.

2.  SPORTS AWARDS               

SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR:

A Team of the Year Award recipient should represent excellence in their respective sport, and they should exhibit a combination of qualities and characteristics that set them apart from other teams as outlined below:

1. Character and Commitment

A team who has represented the College with distinction, integrity and upholds our values of GRACE for the duration of the season.  Team of the Year inspires others and has a positive impact on the community through their performance, attitude, and actions that are often recognised as exceptional.

 In terms of character, the Team of the Year will:

• exemplify good sportsmanship

• show respect for each other, opponents, officials, and the rules of the game 

• demonstrate resilience

• maintain a positive attitude

• learn from challenges 

• create an inclusive environment where all team members feel valued, regardless of their background

• uphold high moral and ethical standards, including fair play, integrity, and adherence to the rules

The Team of the Year will demonstrate commitment to:

• the sport

• the team's goals

• attending training and preparation sessions

• the wellbeing of each team member

• continuous learning, development, and self-improvement

2. Level of Representation 

• Open to secondary school teams that have performed to exceptional standards (usually achieving to a national level) during the year, or in comparison to previous historical achievement. E.g. Never achieving to a level as high across Columba’s past records.  When determining if a team has had an exceptional season, consideration will be given to the number of participants within the sport, level of competition (regional, national etc), standard of the represented grade, hours of commitment involved in the season and previous history of results.

• A senior team made up of at least 60% of students from Year 11 and above (in the current year).
  
  

Other considerations:

1. A team is defined as two or more athletes that compete in the same event/race for the same title. A team is not classed as a group of athletes where an accumulation of points defines the top team/school/club at the event or competition.
   EXAMPLES: a) A doubles pair in a badminton tournament where they compete for the same title by partnering together. This nomination WOULD be considered.
   b) A group of four athletes enter a team event in a surfing carnival, they place 2nd, 5th, 9th and 12th respectively, their accumulative points place them as the top team at that event. This nomination WOULD NOT be considered. 

2. All results accumulated throughout the season will be noted and give support to the overall winner, therefore the full season will be acknowledged and not necessarily the highest achievement. 

3. The committee will select their top performing teams from a maximum of 4 shortlisted nominations. Consistency in performance, including a strong track record over the awarded period, is a key quality for a Team of the Year.

4. If a majority decision cannot be reached by the Committee, input may be sought from the Senior Leadership Team and other relevant parties.  

5. If a majority decision cannot be reached, the award will be jointly awarded to the deserving sports teams or a special acknowledgement award will be given to a team who does not receive the Team of the Year award but has also has an outstanding, historic or extraordinary season that deserves celebration.

6. Decisions of the Committee are final.  

COACH OF THE YEAR:

A Coach of the Year award recipient should embody a combination of qualities and characteristics that distinguish them as an exceptional coach:

1. Character and Commitment

A Coach of the Year will demonstrate values of GRACE and behaviour that aligns with Columba’s special character. They will inspire others and have a positive impact on the community through their performance, attitude, and actions.

In terms of character, the Coach of the Year will:

• Uphold high moral and ethical standards in coaching, including fairness and integrity

• Take responsibility for their actions and decisions, as well as teaching athletes to be accountable for their actions

• Display sportsmanship and kindness towards the opposition

• Maintain a positive, supportive, and enthusiastic demeanour creates a healthy and productive team atmosphere. A positive attitude inspires and motivates athletes to give their best effort, pushing them to overcome challenges and strive for success.

In terms of commitment, the Coach of the Year will:

• Show dedication to coaching. 

Someone who demonstrates a strong commitment to the team, athletes, and the sport, often going above and beyond to ensure the team's success. 

• Serve and contribute to the College and community through things like volunteering, mentoring, and promoting a positive sports culture. 

2. Level of Coaching

This award will be presented to the Coach whose coaching skill and team's achievements are exceptional. In deciding this, the following factors will be taken into consideration:

• The level of their team’s success:

Their team will have achieved top sporting success for that specific year.  This will usually be at a national level but is not exclusive to those achievements.  Measuring team success may take into account win-loss records, championships won, and playoff performances.

• Their leadership skills, as demonstrated by:

The ability to build a cohesive team that works well together and supports one another

Effective communication where they convey strategies, providing feedback, and foster a positive and open relationship with athletes, parents, and fellow coaches

A positive team culture.  They will guide and motivate their team to success both on and off the field or court, always aiming to exemplify and instill sportsmanship values in their team, teaching respect for opponents, officials, and the game itself.

• Their knowledge of the sport, including coaching strategies, tactics, and game planning and their ability to pass that knowledge on.  They must be able to instruct, mentor, and inspire athletes, helping them to reach their full potential. This will be evidenced through athlete improvement, including increased skills and character development.

Other considerations:

1. The Committee will take into account feedback provided by students, parents, management, TIC’s and regional sporting bodies throughout the season and gathered through surveys sent out post season.

2. If a team is officially coached jointly by 2 or more coaches, the award will be shared.  Where one is a senior coach and the other a junior, the award will go to the senior coach.

3. If a majority decision cannot be reached by the Committee, input may be sought from the Senior Leadership Team and other relevant parties.  

4. If a majority decision cannot be reached, the award will be jointly awarded to the deserving coach recipients.

5. Decisions of the Committee are final.  

ALL PRESTIGIOUS NOMINATED AWARDS:

An outstanding student athlete, deserving of a sporting award, should encompass a blend of attributes and traits that set them apart as exceptional in their field of sports and academics.

Students self nominate for these honours. The Sports Committee select based on the following alongside their achievements.

1. Character and Commitment

A student who regularly demonstrates values of GRACE and behaviour that aligns with Columba’s special character. They will inspire others and have a positive impact on the community through their performance, attitude, and actions, that set them apart as an ideal candidate. 

In terms of character, the Student will:

• Uphold high moral and ethical standards in coaching, including fairness and integrity

• exemplify good sportsmanship

• show respect for each other, opponents, officials, and the rules of the game 

• demonstrate resilience

• maintain a positive attitude

• learn from challenges 

• create an inclusive environment where all team members feel valued

• Take responsibility for their actions and decisions

• Display sportsmanship and kindness towards the officials and opposition

• Maintain a positive, supportive, and enthusiastic demeanour creates a healthy and productive team atmosphere. A positive attitude inspires and motivates athletes to give their best effort, pushing them to overcome challenges and strive for success.

In terms of commitment, the Student will:

• Show dedication to Sport. 

• Someone who demonstrates a strong commitment to the team, teammates, coaches, management and the sport, often going above and beyond to ensure the team's success. 

• Serve and contribute to the College and community through things like volunteering, mentoring, and promoting a positive sports culture.
  
  

UNIQUE INDIVIDUAL / TEAM SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

An outstanding student athlete or extraordinary team deserving of a special sporting award. This would encompass athletes or teams who have achieved results over and above expectations of a regular season. To recognise what has set them apart in acknowledgement of their exceptional year of sport.

Please note this document will be reviewed in the first half of 2024 and from then on every three years to adapt to changes in the sports landscape and evolving standards. If you have any queries, please contact our Director of Sport.

Badge Nominations

Every year students will nominate themselves for the following badges;

• Otago Representative Athlete

• Student Coach

• Junior in a Senior ‘A’ or Top Team

• Student Referee, Umpire or Official

• South Island Representative

These are sent out via a google form early in Term 3 and are due back at the end of August. Badges are presented to students at our annual Sports Awards Evening held at the beginning of Term 4.