The awards were held on Friday night.
Born in Lumsden and educated at Southland Boys’ High School, Duffy also won the award in 2021 and 2025.
His latest success follows an exceptional 2025-26 summer when the right arm fast bowler performed with distinction across all three formats for New Zealand.
In the process he broke a 40-year record for the most wickets taken in a calendar year by a New Zealand men’s cricketer.
Among other awards he was named New Zealand’s test player of the year and was the recipient of the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal, the highest award in New Zealand men’s cricket.
Duffy said it was an honour to be recognised by his home province.
"Southland is always my home and this is a great award to win from my peers down south."
The last 12 months had been very busy travelling the world playing cricket.
He always aimed to be "the best version of yourself possible".
"The opportunities come and I managed to take a few [wickets] here and there and you end up finding yourself in some pretty cool situations."
"There’s a World Cup final in there, IPL (Indian Premier League) final, winning test series for your country, some incredibly special moments."
In one of the most competitive fields for some time, Black Sticks hockey player Benji Culhane and World Tour cyclist Corbin Strong were also recognised with Distinction Awards.
Southland Boys’ High School 1st XV captain Jimmy Taylor was named the Te Rourou One NZ Foundation Junior Sportsperson of the Year.
Taylor led the team to unbeaten Highlanders and South Island titles, finished third in the Top Four and was selected for the New Zealand secondary schoolboys’ team.
Last year was a special season with the 1st XV, Taylor said.
"Captaining the team was something that I dreamed of as a kid."
To be selected for the New Zealand schools had been another highlight, he said.
"It’s something that didn’t really feel real because not many boys from Southland make those sort of teams."
In a strong field of nominees, Siena Mackley (cross-country) and Benson Boys (cycling) were also recognised with Distinction Awards.
The Southland Sharks’ rollercoaster ride to the 2025 national basketball league grand final earned them the Southland Kia Team of the Year award, and Sharks coach Jonathan Yim claimed the BDO Coach of the Year award.
The Southland Evergreens men’s softball team, unbeaten through their past two national campaigns, won the NZME Masters Achievement Award, while squash referee Nicky McNaught’s dedication was recognised with the Creation Signs Official of the Year award.
Cycling commissaire Erin Criglington was also acknowledged with a Distinction Award.
Commonwealth Games-bound para-bowler Julie O’Connell won the Inclusive Activity Murihiku Athlete with a Disability Award, and The Bunker, an inclusive sport and active recreation space for youth in Mataura, won the Community Trust South Community Impact award.
Invercargill City Council Services to Sport awards were also presented, to Southland BMX Club’s Ngarita Te Patu, football stalwart Bill McLean and long-serving athletics official Linda Te Au.
The annual ILT Southland Sports Awards are presented by Active Southland on behalf of the Southland Amateur Sports Trust and are the longest running of their kind in New Zealand.
