29 October, 2024

Gold leads to uni ‘Blue’ for Shore kayaker

Olympic gold-medal winning North Shore kayaker Tara Vaughan (centre) has been named Auckland University of Technology’s Female Athlete of the Year.
Vaughan’s Paris Games teammate, kayaking great Dame Lisa Carrington (right) was a special guest to present the award at a recent night presided over by Vice Chancellor professor Damon Salesa (left).
The Castor Bay student – AUT’s first gold-medal winner – was one of 41 students also recognised with an AUT Blue Award. The sports “Blue” tradition dates back to competition between Oxford and Cambridge universities and their colours (both shades of blue) symbolising excellence in sport.
Carrington, Vaughan and fellow North Shore Canoe Club crewmates Alicia Hoskin and Olivia Brett comprised the world-beating K4 crew that won in Paris in August. They all train on Lake Pupuke.
Vaughan studies at AUT’s northern campus on Akoranga Dr, towards a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation. She said her team extended to those at AUT, including Bruce Meyer, who enabled her to combine her sporting and academic goals.
AUT’s Male Athlete of the Year was trampolinist Brodie Miller (Ngāpuhi), who won two major Blue Awards, and was also named Māori Athlete of the Year. He came third at a World Cup event in Portugal in July.

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