Kia Toa, Turbos and New Zealand U20 player Ma'afu Fia was named Manawatu's top Junior Sportsperson for 2009 at Awapuni Function Center on Friday night.

Ma'afu is a member of the New Zealand under 20 team which won the 2009 IRB U20 World Championships in Japan. He is a regular member of the Manawatu Turbos team and he is a member of the Kia Toa Rugby Football Club Senior 1 squad which won the 2009 Hankins Shield.

Over 300 guests were on-hand to celebrate the top sporting achievements for 2009 as well as a few unlucky sporting moments to tie in with the theme of the night. Guest speaker was the inspirational Tony Christiansen who scaled scaffolding sitting on stage before telling the audience of his many feats since losing both his legs at the age of nine. Becoming a qualified lifeguard, pilot, racing car driver, Paralympic gold medallist and climbing Mt Kilimanjaro were just a few of the tales from Tony.

Other finalists for the award were; Sheridan Bignall (netball), Dane Cleaver (cricket), Willie Ione (rugby), Brayden Judd (speed skating), Adam Milne (cricket), Natalie Moore (basketball), Natalie Paterson (table tennis), Bevan Small (cricket), Joseph Watts (squash).