“Along with the premier categories of sportsman and woman of the year, the awards pay tribute to emerging and masters athletes, and all the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make sport happen in our community each and every week.”
A panel of judges will select finalists and then the winners.
Last year’s overall winner, triathlete Tayler Reid, should again be among the contenders.
He won a bronze medal in 2018 as part of New Zealand’s Commonwealth Games mixed relay team.
However, Reid’s other triumph on the Gold Coast last year — becoming the under-23 world champion — was in September and fell outside the period of consideration for last year’s sports awards.
That will be considered this year.
He also won a sprint triathlon at Antwerp this year. It was an event where he finished a close second in 2018.
Swimmer Michael Pickett, who won the junior sportsman category last year, has swum even faster this year.
Last month he set a New Zealand age-group record for 16-year-olds in the 50-metre freestyle — 22.34 seconds.
Pickett was named in the squad competing in the world championships in Korea this month.
Maddie Wilson, 17, who set a New Zealand under-18 record in heptathlon last month, should be among the frontrunners for junior sportswoman, as should surf lifesaver and sprinter Briana Irving and waka ama paddler Gaibreill Wainohu.
The Horouta waka ama club could be to the fore in the teams categories.
Canoeist Alicia Hoskin and surf lifesaver Olivia Corrin, last year’s junior sportswoman winner, could be contenders in the sportswoman category.
Paddler Quaid Thompson and saloon car racer Ethan Cook may also be in the frame for sportsman and wheelchair bodybuilder Ephraim Gudgeon should have a strong chance in the disability category.
Pishief encouraged clubs and organisations to get their nominations in.
Since it started in 1969, the event had played an important role in inspiring young athletes to pursue their aspirations, he said.
“Through celebrating the hard work and triumphs of our sporting elite, we show our aspiring athletes that our region can, and consistently does, achieve success on national and international stages.”
Nominations can be completed through the Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti website.
The period under consideration is from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019.
The awards dinner is at the Farmers Air Showgrounds Event Centre on November 8.
Television broadcaster and former Black Ferns rugby player Melodie Robinson will be master of ceremonies.
Major sponsor Bronwyn Kay said the awards highlighted the depth of sporting talent in the region.
Tickets will go on sale on October 1.
The awards categories are: Overall, sportsman, sportswoman, international sports performance, junior sportsman, junior sportswoman, masters sportsperson, disabled sportsperson, team, junior team, official, coach, club, community impact, services to sport and event excellence.
