Hamilton’s Constable Kate McCarthy on her way to taking out third place at Road Cycling Nationals earlier this year.
When Police Association president Steve Watt told Constable Kate McCarthy that she is the 2025 Police Sportsperson of the Year, she admits her first reaction wasn’t triumph – it was disbelief.
“I was quite surprised, actually. I honestly wasn’t expecting that. It was very cool, very welcome news.”
The timing couldn’t have been better. Only days earlier the Hamilton constable had crashed and broken her collarbone during a road cycling race, putting an abrupt stop to her training and competing. Instead of planning her next race, she’s navigating recovery, which she says has made the award even more meaningful.
The Police Sport acknowledgment was the added touch to an incredible run for the road and professional E-cyclist. Just about everything went right on the bike last year: Kate claimed her second E Sport world title and dominated almost every event she entered.
That included the Zwift Games, a demanding five-stage indoor cycling event, and the MyWhoosh Championships – a seven-stage tour often raced late at night New Zealand time.
“We were racing at nine or 10 o’clock at night,” Kate says. “I won six of the seven stages and won the overall. I had a very good year last year.”
One moment from the past 15 months stands out above the rest for Kate – her performance at the UCI World E-Sports Championship in Abu Dhabi in November.
She also enjoyed competing alongside fellow police officer and E‑cyclist Constable Bridget Kiddle, of Blenheim, at the champs. “It was Bridget’s first world champs and she did really well,” Kate says. “She’s fairly new to the sport, so that made it even more awesome.”
Balancing the bike
Earning a second world title took more than just physical strength, Kate says. One of the hardest elements of the past year was juggling elite‑level training and weekly racing with her role at Police. Kate was often competing every Sunday, while still needing to train, recover and work during the week.
Finding the right balance wasn’t always easy. “That was probably the toughest challenge,” she says. “Just balancing training, rest, recovery and work, all at the same time.” It’s something that simply wouldn’t be possible without the backing of the people she works with, she says.
Kate has been mostly in office-based family harm triage roles, and when championships approached, she took leave without pay to focus on training.
“I’ve been very fortunate,” she says. “The bosses here have been brilliant in supporting me. It’s really enabled me to do what I’ve been doing.”
For someone who describes herself as quiet and not particularly comfortable in the spotlight, winning Sportsperson of the Year has been a chance to pause and reflect – even if she says awards aren’t something she spends much time thinking about.
What the recognition means most is knowing that people have noticed the effort and results. “I think it’s awesome. I’m very proud.”
Away from racing and work, Kate is quick to credit the people behind the scenes who’ve helped make it all possible. Her partner, Dylan, who also coaches her, plays a key role and then there’s her dad, Senior Sergeant John McCarthy.
“Dad has been my biggest support system,” she says. “He and my uncle came to Abu Dhabi with me, and Dad even had his team shirt printed out and everything.”
Right now, the focus is recovery. Kate is hoping to be back doing some light spinning on a stationary bike within a couple of weeks but knows full recovery will take longer.
“I do get a bit itchy to get back on the bike,” she says. “But in a way, it’s probably a well‑timed break. It’s hard to force yourself to take time off [but] when you don’t have a choice, it’s actually quite good.”
Looking ahead, Kate’s main goal is clear: Get back to full fitness in time to defend her UCI World E-Sports title. “To get three back to back would be very cool.”
The collarbone will heal, the bike will be waiting, and if 2025 is anything to go by, it won’t be long before Kate is back at her best.
UMPIRE OF THE YEAR: Bridgette Carrington
Bridgette’s officiating career in flag football (a non-contact variant of American football) has taken her from local grounds to the international stage. In 2024, she umpired at the IFAF Flag Football World Championship in Finland, earning selection as one of just two New Zealand officials at the tournament. The momentum continued in 2025, when she was selected to officiate at the Asia Oceania Flag Football Continental Championship in China. At home, Bridgette’s rise has been just as impressive. In 2024, she officiated her first New Zealand National Tournament and was appointed White Hat (head official) for the women’s final – rare for a first-time attendee. Last year, she returned as Crew Chief, leading her own officiating team, and was again named White Hat for the first all-women officials’ crew, overseeing the legends and senior women’s finals. Beyond officiating, Bridgette has played and coached tennis and football, worked in schools and private coaching, and spent 10 years with Mainland Football. A member of Police Sport, she remains an active competitor and regularly supports Police and community sport through volunteering and officiating.
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR: Glenn Dawson
For the past five years, Glenn has been a steady and influential force behind the NZ Police women’s cricket team, leading fundraising efforts and creating opportunities for players to compete against strong opposition. He has organised five major tournaments, working largely behind the scenes and without formal recognition. By establishing and managing the women’s team, Glenn has encouraged many players to reconnect with club cricket and take on mentoring roles. This work has had positive flow‑on effects for women’s and grassroots cricket, helping increase participation and lift standards. He has also engaged emerging players throughout Canterbury and Wellington, reinforcing that it is possible to balance a successful career with continued involvement in sport. Outside cricket, Glenn is a committed advocate for mental health. He has raised thousands of dollars for I Am Hope as well as $6500 during a 24‑hour run late last year for Mental Health Awareness Week.