Gisborne nominees miss out

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

HALBERG Award finalists in six categories have been announced.

Horouta waka ama paddlers Kiwi Campbell and Gaibreill Wainohu were among the nominations for the Coach of the Year and Emerging Talent awards but neither made the five-strong shortlist.

Campbell was one of 14 nominees from nine sports for the Coach of the Year award, and Wainohu, one of 15 nominees for the Emerging Talent award.

In November, Campbell was named Maori Sports Coach of the Year and Wainohu, Junior Maori Sportswoman of the Year following their world-title-winning exploits in Tahiti.

Halberg Award finalists —

Sportswoman of the Year: Joelle King (squash), Jonelle Price (equestrian), Lisa Carrington (canoe racing), Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (snowboarding).

Sportsman of the Year: Nico Porteous (freeskiing), Scott Dixon (motorsport), Scott McLaughlin (motorsport), Tom Walsh (athletics).

Para Athlete/Team of the Year: Adam Hall (para alpine skiing), Corey Peters (para alpine skiing), Scott Martlew (para canoe racing), Sophie Pascoe (para swimming).

Team of the Year: All Black Sevens (rugby), Black Ferns Sevens (rugby), New Zealand Football under-17 women, New Zealand women’s kayaking team, Black Sticks women (hockey).

Coach of the Year: Allan Bunting (rugby), Clark Laidlaw (rugby), Gordon Walker (canoe racing), Joe Schmidt (rugby), Leon Birnie (football).

Emerging Talent: Amelia Kerr (cricket), Anna Leat (football), Josh Armit (yachting), Lewis Clareburt (swimming), Maddison-Lee Wesche (athletics).