University of Otago and OUSA Blues & Golds Awards 2025

The "Blues and Golds Awards" honor the highest achievements in sports, culture, community service, and the arts among University of Otago students. Established in 1908, the "Blues" award celebrates sporting excellence, while the "Golds" award, introduced in 2002, acknowledges achievements in the arts and culture. Over the years, additional awards have been introduced to reflect the evolving landscape and to celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of students.

These contributions often go unnoticed or fly under the radar. Making the Blues & Golds Awards a wonderful opportunity to highlight the incredible pool of talent that there is within our campus community.

Key Documents:

The University of Otago Blues and Golds Policy

The University of Otago Blues and Golds Awards Criteria

The University of Otago Blues and Golds Awards Panel Terms of Reference

2025 Purposed Timeline:

• June 1st Nominations Open
• June 30th Nominations due to Close
• Late June ratification of the University of Otago Blues and Golds Panel
• Panel meeting scheduled for August
• Awards Ceremony scheduled for late September / early October

List of Awards:

University of Otago Blues

The Blues Awards for sporting excellence are a long standing tradition that have been awarded at the University of Otago since 1908 – these are the greatest accolade that can be awarded to those University of Otago students that excel in their chosen sporting field. 

University of Otago Golds

The Golds Awards are the highest accolade that the University of Otago can bestow on those University of Otago students involved in the cultural sphere. They reward excellence and exceptional achievement in the chosen artistic or cultural field. OUSA has awarded Golds Awards since 2002. 

University of Otago Sportsperson of the Year

The University of Otago Sportsperson of the Year Award and the University of Otago Highly Commended Sportsperson of the Year Awards recognise the high performance, service and example in their chosen field, including expressing the ideals of true sportsmanship.

University of Otago Māori Sportsperson of the Year

This Taonga, first awarded in 2000, recognises the most outstanding Māori Sportsperson at the University of Otago. This person best represents Māori through their performances in top-level sport.

University of Otago Outstanding Contribution to Arts and Culture

Honours an individual who exemplify dedication in their chosen field, embodying the values of true commitment and service to the arts and culture community. Nominees must present compelling evidence of their exceptional contributions and the substantial positive impact of their work.

OUSA Silver Service

OUSA awards a Silver Service Award to University of Otago students and members of its affiliated Clubs to recognise the exceptional contributions made by its individuals. This may involve administration, coaching, managing, officiating and other contributions considered worthy by the Panel.

OUSA Coach of the Year

This award was introduced in 2013, to recognise the significant input and achievements of coaches in the community. This Award is available to any coach coaching an OUSA Affiliated Club or any University of Otago student coaching anywhere in the country.

OUSA Sports Club of the Year

Recognising excellence in the management, administration and promotion from an OUSA Affiliated Sports Club. Providing positive community awareness and engagement.

OUSA Society of the Year

Recognising excellence in the management, administration and promotion of any OUSA Affiliated Society. Providing positive community awareness and engagement.

OUSA Cultural Society of Year

Recognises excellence in the management, administration and promotion of any OUSA Affiliated Cultural Club or Society. Providing positive community awareness and engagement. This award is for International Cultural Clubs only.

Outstanding Member of the Dunedin Community

Recognising a student with an altruistic spirit who has significantly contributed to the wider local community during their time in Dunedin. A student who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in either a community project, volunteer work, participating in environmental conservation efforts, mentoring youth, or in their support for local charities and non-profit organizations.

Outstanding member of the University of Otago Community

This award highlights a student who has been an integral part of the University of Otago community and deserves recognition. For example, a student who has shown impressive leadership skills to benefit the student body or has been an exceptional volunteer at university or OUSA events.

2024 Winners:

University of Otago Sportsperson of the Year: Benji Culhane – Hockey

Highly commended: Jake Corney – Underwater Hockey

University of Otago Māori Sportsperson of the Year: Jacob Waikari-Jones – Rugby

OUSA Cultural Society of Year: Indian Students' Association

Highly commended: Otago Malaysian Students' Association

OUSA Society of the Year: Thursdays in Black Otago

Highly commended: Otago University Debating Society

Special mention: Otago Student Volunteer Army

OUSA Sports Club of the Year: Otago University Canoe Club

Highly commended: American Football Otago

OUSA Coach of the Year: Janine Southby – University Albion Netball Club

Outstanding Member of the University of Otago Community: Tara Shepherd

Outstanding Member of the Dunedin Community: Kai Hiroti

OUSA Silver Service: Annie Racklyeft - University Albion Netball Club (club captain), Emily Paterson - Otago Postgraduate Association of Wellington (co-president), Aimee Didierjean - Otago Student Volunteer Army (health and safety manager), Julia Gorinski - Otago University Rugby Club (team player), Tony Huang - Otago University Debating Society (coach)

University of Otago Gold Awards: Oshadha Perera – Poetry, Oshadha Perera – Painting, Ariana Noelle Gepte - Performing Arts

University of Otago Blue Awards: Ale Aho – Rugby, Jacob Waikari-Jones – Rugby, Caitlin-Judith Heale – Ice Hockey, Gracie Bell – Handball, Zac Cumming – Cricket, Alice Cocker – Netball, Ella Southby – Netball, Grace Thomson – Fencing, Sera Cox – Fencing, Hailey Griffiths – Underwater Hockey, Jake Corney – Underwater Hockey, Alex Brown – Athletics, Catherine Lund – Athletics, Josh Chisholm – Athletics, Katelyn Sceats – Athletics, Luke Moffitt – Athletics, Isabella Aldrich – Surf Lifesaving, Madelene Ozanne – Surf Lifesaving, Madeline Loudon – Surf Lifesaving, Emily Peacock – Surf Lifesaving, Madison Lobb – Surf Lifesaving, Sophie Matehaere – Surf Lifesaving, Edwin George – Rowing, Ella Hansen – Rowing, Fynn Allison – Rowing, Sam Barnett – Rowing, Sam Rankin – Rowing, Madison Neale – Rowing, Ted Mayne – Rowing, Messina Su'a – Rowing, Scarlett Kirby – Korfball, Annabelle Schneideman – Hockey, Hayley Cox – Hockey, Patrick Ward – Hockey, Benji Culhane – Hockey, Hugh Nixon – Hockey, Liam Williams – Hockey, Jakob Bell-Kake – Hockey, Keita Elliott - Hockey