THREE IN A ROW: Lisa Carrington won the Sportswoman of the Year award for the third year running. NZ Herald picture
HALBERG AWARDS
Tom Walsh has claimed New Zealand’s top sports honours for 2018 at the 56th ISPS Handa Halberg Awards during a ceremony at Spark Arena in Auckland last night.
The shot-putter was named the Sportsman of the Year for the second successive year before being presented with the supreme Halberg Award by Rob Waddell.
Walsh’s achievements in 2018 included victories at the World Indoor Championship, Commonwealth Games and Diamond League events. He edged out freeskier Nico Porteous and motor racers Scott McLaughlin and Scott Dixon to claim the sportsman category.
Ten awards were presented and a Sports Hall of Fame inductee was honoured during the ceremony to honour and celebrate New Zealand sporting achievement in 2018. Hosted by the Halberg Foundation, the event was also the major fundraiser for the charity set up by Olympic athletics champion Sir Murray Halberg.
Lisa Carrington claimed the High Performance Sport New Zealand Sportswoman of the Year award for the third year running. The canoe racer who claimed a gold and three silver medals at the Canoe Sprint World Championships was named ahead of squash player Joelle King, horse rider Jonelle Price and snowboarder Zoi Sadowski-Synnott.
Carrington’s family on her father Patrick’s side are from Gisborne. Grandfather Maurice and his brothers Eddie and Bill played rugby for Poverty Bay, with Bill and Eddie becoming Maori All Blacks. Her great-grandfather Karaitiana Carrington founded the GMC club.
She is of Rongowhakaata, Ngati Porou, Te Aitanga a Mahaki and Rongomaiwahine descent.
Adam Hall won the Para Athlete/Team of the Year award for claiming gold and bronze at the Paralympic Winter Games. The Para alpine skier headed off Para swimmer Sophie Pascoe, Para canoe racer Scott Martlew and fellow Para alpine skier Corey Peters.
The Black Ferns Sevens claimed the Team of the Year honours. The women’s team, who won the Sevens Rugby World Cup and gold at the Commonwealth Games, collected the award ahead of the NZ under-17 women’s football team, the NZ women’s kayaking team, the Black Sticks women and the All Black Sevens.
Gordon Walker was named the Buddle Findlay Coach of the Year for a third consecutive year. Lisa Carrington’s coach beat out Allan Bunting (Black Ferns Sevens), Clark Laidlaw (All Black Sevens), Leon Birnie (NZ u17 women’s football team) and New Zealander Joe Schmidt (Ireland rugby).
Maddison-Lee Wesche won the Sky Sport Emerging Talent award. The shot-putter who claimed gold at the Under 20 IAAF World Championships was named ahead of sailor Josh Armit, White Fern Amelia Kerr, swimmer Lewis Clareburt and football goalkeeper Anna Leat.
Leat’s successful penalty shootout against Japan, leading New Zealand into the semifinal of the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup, was chosen as New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment of 2018 — the only award voted on by the public.
During the ceremony, former Black Fern Farah Palmer was presented with the Sport New Zealand Leadership Award.
Former supreme Halberg Award winner and discus-throwing champion Beatrice Faumuina was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.
Barry Hunt was also recognised with the Lifetime Achievement Award for services to athletics.
The list of winners and finalists for the 56th ISPS Handa Halberg Awards:Halberg Award winner: Tom Walsh (athletics)
Finalists: Lisa Carrington (canoe racing), Adam Hall (Para alpine skiing), Black Ferns Sevens (rugby union).
High Performance Sport New Zealand Sportswoman of the Year winner: Lisa Carrington (canoe racing).
Finalists: Joelle King (squash), Jonelle Price (equestrian), Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (snowboarding).
ISPS Handa Sportsman of the Year winner: Tom Walsh (athletics).
Finalists: Nico Porteous (freeskiing), Scott Dixon (motorsport), Scott McLaughlin (motorsport).
ISPS Handa Para Athlete/Team of the Year winner: Adam Hall (Para alpine skiing).
Finalists: Corey Peters (Para alpine skiing), Scott Martlew (Para canoe racing), Sophie Pascoe (Para swimming).
ISPS Handa Team of the Year winner: Black Ferns Sevens (rugby union).
Finalists: All Blacks Sevens (rugby union), NZ Football Under-17 Women (football), NZ Women’s Kayaking Team (canoe racing), Vantage Black Sticks Women (hockey).
Buddle Findlay Coach of the Year winner: Gordon Walker (canoe racing).
Finalists: Allan Bunting (rugby union), Clark Laidlaw (rugby union), Joe Schmidt (rugby union), Leon Birnie (football).
Sky Sport Emerging Talent winner: Maddison-Lee Wesche (athletics).
Finalists: Amelia Kerr (cricket), Anna Leat (football), Josh Armit (yachting), Lewis Clareburt (swimming).
New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment winner:
Anna Leat (football).
Sport New Zealand Leadership Award winner: Dr Farah Palmer (rugby union).
Hall of Fame inductee: Beatrice Faumuina (athletics).
Lifetime Achievement Award winner: Barry Hunt (athletics).