Hundreds of young people celebrated at 2025 Unison Medal Ceremonies
Hastings Rugby & Sports Under 6 player Thatcher Long and Māori All Blacks, Blues, and Hawke's Bay Magpies player Zarn Sullivan.
Unison Networks (Unison) has celebrated the close of the junior winter sports season across its regions, recognising young players who consistently demonstrate discipline, fair play and great work ethic both on and off the turf, court, and field.
This month, more than 640 young hockey, netball, football and rugby players were recognised at the 2025 Unison Medal Ceremonies held at the Napier Municipal Theatre, marking the 17th year of the Unison Medal initiative, part of its Greatest Supporter Programme. A further 26 Unison Medals were awarded to junior hockey players in Taupō this season, reflecting the programme’s reach across Unison’s regions.
Unison Group General Manager Customer, Commercial and Regulatory, Jason Larkin said the ceremonies continue to be one of the highlights of the year for the consumer-owned company.
“We’re extremely proud to celebrate these young players for showing the values of fair play, discipline and work ethic. As a consumer-owned company, it’s important to us to support the wellbeing and development of tamariki across our regions.
“The Unison Medal is about recognising the players who might not always be the fastest or the highest scorers, but who set the standard through their attitude and the way they support their teammates. Those values are not only important in sport, they’re vital in powering thriving communities.
“Our Greatest Supporter Programme is an important way we can help educate children and their families about staying safe around electricity,” Mr Larkin said.
Special guests from across the sporting community joined the celebrations, including Hawke’s Bay Magpies, Hawke’s Bay Tui, Vantage Black Sticks, Napier City Rovers and Taradale AFC players. Silver Ferns legend Irene van Dyk also returned for her sixth Unison Medal Ceremony, a familiar and much-loved face who has inspired hundreds of junior players over the years.
Māori All Blacks, Blues and Hawke’s Bay Magpies player, Zarn Sullivan said he was proud to be part of the event.
“It’s really cool to see kids being celebrated not just for their skills, but for being good teammates and showing great values. You can see how proud they feel walking across the stage with their whānau cheering them on. That’s what sport is all about, and I was stoked to be a part of it this year,” Mr Sullivan said.
Five-year-old Thatcher Long from Hastings Rugby and Sports Club was one of the youngest Unison Medal recipients.
“I felt really happy getting my medal. I love playing rugby with my friends,” Thatcher said.