312 Fortitude End-of-Year Hoedown & Prizegiving 2025

Yeehaw, whānau 🤠
Our 2025 End-of-Year Hoedown was a night to remember — a celebration of community, grit, growth, chaos, and everything that makes 312 Fortitude home.

From boots and hats to laughs, awards, and shared kai, this night was all about recognising the people who show up day after day and make this gym more than just a place to train.

🏆 2025 Prizegiving

Our prizegiving recognises members who stood out this year — not just in performance, but in attitude, commitment, and contribution to the Fortitude community.

Awards were nominated and voted by fellow members and coaches, making them extra special.

From quiet grinders to hype machines, rookies to OGs — this was about celebrating the people who make 312 what it is.

🏅 WOD Whiner of the Year — Suede

Suede brings unmatched energy, chaos, and commentary to every 5:15am class. Whether the workout includes running, burpees, or anything mildly uncomfortable, she never hesitates to share exactly how she feels — before, during, and after the WOD.

But behind the dramatic sighs and colourful language is someone with a huge heart. Suede genuinely cares about her people. She notices when someone is missing, checks in on those who are struggling, and brings encouragement just as loudly as she brings the complaints. She keeps the early mornings lively, connected, and full of personality — which is exactly why she takes home this award.

🏅 Most Improved Female — Stacey

Stacey’s progress this year has been nothing short of impressive. She is fit, strong, mentally tough, and coachable to the core. Stacey consistently takes feedback on board, applies it immediately, and proves week after week that she is capable of more than she thinks.

Through consistent effort and grit, she has reached a point where she’s now beating athletes who once smoked her. Her growth is a true reflection of what happens when hard work meets belief and commitment.

🏅 Most Improved Male — Poe

Poe has been relentless in his pursuit of improvement. He is constantly asking questions, seeking feedback, and putting in extra work — and most importantly, he applies everything immediately.

His progress across strength, conditioning, and movement quality has been obvious to both coaches and fellow members. Humble, hardworking, and consistent, Poe’s improvements this year speak for themselves and make him a well-deserved winner of Most Improved Male.

🏅 Masters Athlete of the Year — Maia

Maia is the definition of a quiet achiever. She slips into class, gets the mahi done, and consistently smashes whatever is put in front of her.

She brings calmness, grit, and consistency to every session — and somehow even enters competitions quietly on the side, where she performs brilliantly. Maia’s progress this year, both physically and mentally, has been inspiring to watch and a reminder that steady effort always pays off.

🏅 MVP — Bert

Bert is known for showing up late, never quite reading the workout properly, and somehow still becoming the athlete everyone wants to beat once the clock starts.

This year, he has turned potential into consistent performance, proving himself as an absolute beast when it matters. Beyond his athletic ability, Bert is friendly, uplifting, and always welcoming to new members — and of course, still holds the unofficial title of best abs at 312. A true MVP in every sense.

🏅 Rookie Female of the Year — Kaitlyn

Kaitlyn arrived at 312 already fit, armed with a monster engine — and has since built gymnastics skills, barbell confidence, and competitive grit at a rapid pace.

With what coaches describe as a “V8 engine,” she trains hard, asks questions, competes at every opportunity, and does extras whenever she can, even with a hectic schedule. Her commitment and growth have quickly turned her into a serious threat in any workout — especially if running is involved.

🏅 Rookie Male of the Year — Dylan

Dylan quietly joined 312 and immediately started turning heads. Strong, fast, humble, and coachable, he’s been described as a silent assassin.

He listens, learns, and applies feedback with intent, developing into a well-rounded athlete with solid lifts, strong cardio, and clean gymnastics. Dylan has thrown himself into the community and continues to show up ready to work every single session.

🏅 Sportsmanship Award — Tau

Tau is the heart of the 9am auntys and uncles. Always positive, cheeky, and encouraging, he’s often the first to introduce himself to new members and make them feel welcome.

He brings jokes, hype, and good energy — even after a big night or while training through setbacks like a sprained ankle. Tau embodies Fortitude through resilience, generosity, and genuine care for the community, making him a perfect recipient of the Sportsmanship Award.

🏅 Most Committed to Training — Ricco

Ricco is everywhere. Mornings, afternoons, weekends — she’s there putting in the mahi.

Class workouts are never enough, with extras before and after focused on improving weaknesses and building skills. She has trained smart through injuries, stayed positive, and grown massively in confidence and ability. Ricco’s dedication and consistency define what commitment looks like at 312.

🏅 WOD Cherry Picker of the Year — Morgs

Morgs is known for giving the programming a death stare, deciding “yeah nah,” and choosing lifting instead. But she also brings loud support, countdowns, banter, and fearless call-outs — especially when it comes to Coach PC’s music choices.

Despite the cherry picking, Morgs has made huge progress this year: PBs, improved conditioning, and even becoming a runner girl. She works hard, shows up consistently, and has firmly earned her place (and protection) in the 9am class.

Tash accepting the award on behalf of Morgan

Member of the Year award:

This is the only award voted for by the members. This is where they get to tell us who they think is an epic 312 Fortitude. Which of their peers makes them proud to be part of 312 Fortitude, makes them want to work a little harder or be a little better. Who makes them feel welcome and at home in a class, who do them feel is a good ambassador for what we do.

Massive Shoutout to Nominees!

Hats off to these absolute legends who made it to the Member of the Year nominee list! 🌟 Your positive vibes and dedication haven’t gone unnoticed.

🏆 Members of the Year — Becs & Brooke

This year’s Members of the Year award goes to two athletes, because the impact they’ve had could not be separated.

Becs and Brooke both embody what it means to be part of the Fortitude whānau. Through consistency, support, positivity, and contribution to the community, they have lifted those around them and set the standard for what being a 312 member looks like. Their tie reflects not just performance, but presence — and the way they show up for others.

Nga mihi to every single member who makes 312 Fortitude what it is.

This community is built on people like you.

🤍 Thank You, Whānau

To our coaches — thank you for your time, care, and commitment.
To our members — thank you for trusting us with your training, your goals, and your journey.
To everyone who brought food, helped set up, stayed late, and brought the energy — we see you.

312 Fortitude exists because of this community.
And nights like this remind us why we do what we do.