Hugo Swinson was named Maori Sportsperson of the Year at the annual Blues and Golds Awards for his involvement in Ultimate Frisbee.
This year Swinson co-captained the national under-20 men's team, called Katipo, at the World Junior Ultimate Championships in Poland.
The experience was "amazing", he said.
"We came sixth out of 12 countries, it was awesome."
Being able to meet people from around the world was one of the highlights. He had made new contacts with players from Canada, Italy and Australia.
Swinson first became involved in the sport while attending Auckland Grammar, which is known within the frisbee community as the school that produces good players, he said.
"A mate heard about it and went to a training and was like, ‘Oh, this is pretty sick, you should come’."
So Swinson began training with coach Warren Buckingham, and the more he played, the more he enjoyed it.
When he started study at the University of Otago he continued to play.
The basic rules were once you caught the disk you could not move, and needed to throw it to another player, or attempt to throw it into the endzone.
"And that is how you score."
The game was played until one team amassed 15 points, or it could be played as a timed game of 90 minutes with the team with the highest score winning.
"If the disc touches the ground or is caught by the other team, that's a turnover, and then that team has possession to try to put it in the endzone."
It is a self-refereed sport.
A key aspect of Ultimate Frisbee was called the spirit of the game, he said.
"The idea is, like, being a good person on the field."
Think of it as similar to the Maori concept of tikanga, or the correct way to behave, he said.
Every player was responsible for having an approach that included fair-mindedness, self-control, a positive attitude, understanding the rules of the sport, and communication.
"Even at the top levels, if someone makes a call, you need to stop and just take a deep breath and discuss it calmly."
Next step for Swinson was aiming for a place in the under 24 team, called Kea.
If he succeeds he will be training for the World Under 24 Ultimate Championships, expected to be held in July 2023 in the United Kingdom.
"That is my next goal, and then hopefully the New Zealand men’s team at some point."
