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More success for Midway’s Kiwi convert
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
SURF LIFESAVING - MIDWAY’S star import Devon Halligan added another achievement to her stellar season at Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s In It For Life Awards at the weekend.

Australia-raised, Gold Coast-based Halligan, 19, was awarded the international performance of the year title in recognition of her success on New Zealand and Australian beaches.

Midway stalwart Dennis “Rocky” Hall was among a group of 26 diehards presented with 50-year badges of service.

Halligan, the daughter of former Kiwis and NRL rugby league player Darryl Halligan, connected with Gisborne last year.

This year she competed in the Gisborne open and under-19 teams at the national surf league, then wore the Midway cap at the New Zealand championships.

She won all four ironwoman races as Gisborne placed second in the open division and won the u19 title at the surf league.

She won the u19 and open ironwoman finals and was named female competitor of the carnival as Midway regained the overall top club title at the NZ champs on their home sands.

Halligan followed that up with the female competitor of the carnival at the Australian nationals on the Gold Coast after winning four gold medals and three silver, including victory in the u19 ironwoman and second place in the open division.

Halligan, who has a Kiwi passport, then delivered what was probably a huge blow to Surf Life Saving Australia. She declared her allegiance to New Zealand for the Rescue 2012 world championships in Adelaide in November.

Having already represented Australia, she had no problem giving up a place in their high performance squad.

“It was just a personal decision,” she said after her selection. “I’ve always classified myself as a Kiwi, plus I really wanted to race opens at the worlds.

“I know a lot of the Kiwi high performance squad and get along with them really well, so this was a pretty easy decision for me in the end.

“Mum (Linda) and Dad are pretty proud and would’ve supported me whoever I made myself available for, though I think they’re secretly even more pleased it was New Zealand,” she said.
ONE OF US: Australia-raised Devon Halligan in action for Midway at the national surf lifesaving championships in Gisborne. Halligan will be wearing the New Zealand cap at the world championships in Adelaide in November. “I’ve always classified myself as a Kiwi,” she said after pledging allegiance to New Zealand. Picture by Dave Thomas
in it for life: Rocky Hall was one of 26 awarded 50-year badges at the Surf Life Saving New Zealand In It For Life Awards. Picture by Dave Thomas
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