Braves Softball & Sports Club

2025-26 Prizegiving

What an awesome way to wrap up the season! Our prizegiving was full of smiles, cheers and celebrations, and plenty of well deserved recognition for all the hard work, growth, and team spirit shown throughout the season.

A massive congratulations to all of our award winners. Your dedication, effort and love for our Club and the game truly stood out and we are proud of each and everyone of you.

We try to keep things fun and welcoming and inclusive, and encourage everyone to be part of our softball community and honestly, that's what makes this Club so special. At the heart of it, our growth and success isn't just about what happens on the diamond, it's thanks to every player, parent, partner, supporter, and volunteer who shows up, cheers loud, helps out, and creates this amazing environment for this sport that we all love to thrive. We couldn't do it without you all.

And once again, to our award winners, this recognition is so well deserved, and we can’t wait to see what you achieve next season.

Here's to a great season and an even bigger one in 2026-27.

Player profiles: Cecelia Hunapo & Hingaawatea Wineera

This week's profile is a special one and our final for the season as we double up with our two youngest Club members.

At just three and four years old, these two little legends are part of our Peewees team. They're usually good for at least a couple innings before the real action begins...helicopter spinning on the diamond with Papa/Uncle Kajah 🤣 That said, they did manage a full game this season, a huge achievement!

They're familiar faces aroudn the ballpark, often spotted working the crowd in search of free pies or lollies from the canteen. From the first round right through to the final game of the day, they're always there, (im)patiently waiting for big sister/cousin to finish umpiring, Papa/Uncle to finish coaching and playing, Mama/Kiki to finish scoring, and of course for everyone to FINALLY stop chatting.

Plenty of years ahead for these two little firecrackers. We can't wait to watch them grow in the game and the Club.

While this is our last weekly profile for the season, keep an eye out over the off season as we'll still be sharing the occasional spotlight here and there.

Braves Excellence: Maximus Mathews

While we're on a roll of celebrating Club members, we want to take a moment to give a huge round of applause to Max who was part of our Ezi Finance senior men's team this year and is making huge moves with a different shaped bat (racket...whatever).

He has been carving it up on the squash scene, picking up major titles and representing Aotearoa on the international stage. With some big tournaments coming up and plenty more ahead, it's awesome to see all the hard work paying off.

We're proud to have you as part of our club, Max, keep smashing it and we'll be cheering you on all the way! Even if we don't know the rules...

The 17-year-old Whanganui player is New Zealand's junior squash champion.

WSA Awards: Best & Fairest

Kajah is a familiar face (and voice!) at the ballpark, and has been part of the Braves whānau for a number of seasons now, cutting his teeth alongside the old boys who made the trip to Palmy week in, week out to play in the Manawatū comp.

You never have to worry about the vibes being low when Kajah is around because he IS the vibe. Whether you're in the dugout, on the diamond, or up in the terraces, he's the guy brining the energy and putting smiles on faces.

A driving force behind the revival of our junior teams, Kajah also pulled together our Naylor Love Braves senior men's side this season, guiding a group that's gone from strength to strength. He's passionate about making sure everyone loves the game as much as he does, and more importantly, that they enjoy every moment at the ballpark.

Just last week he was away with Cullinane College, helping them take out the mixed grade competition in spectacular fashion. In true Kajah style, his mid-final interview said it all, keeping the focus on the kids, their enjoyment, and the energy they bring to the game.

Receiving the Edwards Award for Best & Fairest from the Whanganui Softball Association simply confirms what we already know. Kajah embodies skill, sportsmanship, respect, and positivity both on and off the diamond.

Let's hear it for our guy 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽



Photo courtesy of Hannah's Photography.
Kajah doing what he does best. Lifting up our young players, backing their ability, and making sure they step out there with the confidence to do the job.

Junior prizegiving: Sunday 29 March 2026

What an awesome morning celebrating our junior Club members.

A huge thank you to all of our parents, coaches, and managers who give up their time week in and week out. Your commitment, energy, and support are what help grow not just great players, but great people. Braves simply wouldn’t be what it is without you.

It’s amazing to see the strength of our Club. We now have a junior team in every grade, and in many cases, more players than we know what to do with...a great problem to have! This growth is something really special, and it speaks volumes about the culture and community we’ve built together.

We are incredibly proud of our 14 junior club members who represented Whanganui this season across all age grades. Some stepped up to play in multiple grades, and others even took the field at senior level on Saturdays, an outstanding achievement.

A special shoutout as well to our junior players who take on the responsibility of umpiring each weekend. It’s not an easy job, and we appreciate your willingness to give back to the game.

Most of all, today was about celebrating our juniors. Their effort, improvement, teamwork, and love for the game. They are the future of our club, and it’s exciting to see what lies ahead.

We’re proud of every single one of you ❤️💛🖤

Braves Excellence: Kajah Hunapo, Darius Mathews, Kaihau Hunapo, Raama Gilsenan, Poppy Priddle

Massive congratulations to Cullinane College for taking out the mixed grade final at Secondary Schools today with an impressive and memorable 8-3 win over NZPA. If you didn't catch it I highly recommend watching the live stream cos it was a goodie!!

Special mention to our Braves babies who made up over a third of the team, along with one of our own who stepped in to the coaching team. Love to see leadership on and off the diamond.

We are so proud of all our babies who played some stellar softball over the past four days, and the way they all carried themselves. The future is bright and we'll be cheering you on every step of the way.

Player profile: Raama Gilsenan

Our girl has gone from strength to strength over the years, representing both Whanganui and Manawatu at national rep tournaments this season, continuing (and smashing) the whānau legacy.

Currently away at Secondary School nationals, she's one to watch at pitcher, catcher, or anywhere really.

You're amazing Raamz and we love watching you grow as a woman and as a player.

Senior draw: Saturday 28 March

The Naylor Love Braves take a well earned break after a spectacular first season while our Ezi Finance men have one more game to finish off the season.

Junior draw: 28 March 2026

Last weekend of softball for both our juniors and our seniors this Saturday and boy, has it been a season!

One last dance before a well deserved break.

Junior prizegiving: 29 March 2026

Join us as we celebrate an awesome season for our Year 1 & 2, Year 3 & 4, Year 5 & 6, and Year 7 & 8 teams.

Come along to celebrate our kids, recognise all the hard work they've put in this season, and wrap up the season with a little bit of fun (and maybe a lolly or two).

We'd love to see you all there.