Evidence of CISNOC supporting their own when Aquatics wins a lot because the head of selection is the head of Aquatics? Wes (Roberts) and Lanihei (Connolly) might deserve sportsman and woman of the year but not everything.

And who is the coach? It’s the CI awards, not overseas. These swimmers live overseas, train in chlorine pools and swim in squads of great swimmers. They have CI blood but their achievements aren’t the same as athletes who grow up and train here.

Clive Nicholas is my true CI coach of the year. He turned some local youth into a team of men. They fundraised, they got cancel flights and delayed three days. They arrive tired and poor and then win bronze, just their guts and loyalty to their coach and country. The selectors got it way wrong, this team had real tough opponents too. They should have gotten sport achievement of the year, and Clive coach of the year. CISNOC should be encouraging our youth and our local athletes to get recognised. Not those who only live overseas.

Local supporter

(Name and address supplied)

Editor’s note – A right of reply email was sent to CISNOC president Hugh Graham and vice president Romani Katoa on Monday.