Passionate supporters recognised

This year's Hawke's Bay Sports Awards will be boosted by major sponsors Hawke's Bay Today and Radio Sport, an announcement Hawke's Bay Today general manager Russell Broughton (left) and NZME. eastern manager James Cooper are thrilled to make. Photo / Paul Taylor

Passionate supporters of local sport will be recognised alongside world-class athletes at this year's Hawke's Bay Sports Awards.

They have expanded to include top grass-roots supporters, complementing the introduction of a grass-roots club category last year. Finalists for the awards were announced earlier this month with a celebratory function to be held at Taradale's Pettigrew-Green Arena on May 16.

As always, the standard was high with the likes of cyclist Regan Gough and rower Emma Twigg up for sportsperson of the year, meaning judges had some tough decisions to make.

"Every year we have been involved the calibre for both junior sportsperson and senior sportsperson has been really good and this year is no exception," Sport Hawke's Bay commercial manager Kevin Murphy said.

Twigg is hot favourite for the senior award. She was named World Rowing's international female crew of the year, recognition for the single sculler's wins at all three World Cup regattas. Meanwhile Gough was the logical choice for a junior award after becoming the most bemedalled junior track cyclist in New Zealand cycling history.

It was equally important to get back to basics and reward those working at ground level to facilitate and support grass roots codes, Murphy said.

"I think going back over the years we have always recognised excellence with the awards but most times we focus on the top end and don't capture a vast majority of the sport spectrum, where there are people who put a lot of time and effort in.

"We want to recognise those who put the hard yards in a club environment ... supporters who are on the sideline, dressed in club colours, who are there every game," Murphy said.

Hawke's Bay Today and Radio Sport are proud to have been involved with the awards since their inception and this year stepped up that support.

As the event's major sponsors, they seized an opportunity to highlight the achievements of athletes, while bringing an entire sector together.

"Radio Sport and NZME. are excited to continue our support of the Hawke's Bay Sports Awards and are proud to not only help grow participation, but celebrate all that is great about sport in the Bay," NZME. eastern manager James Cooper said.

Hawke's Bay Today general manager Russell Broughton was also thrilled to back an exciting local event, with enormous relevance to people throughout the region.

"Sport is just so important to readers and listeners in our provincial markets and joining with Radio Sport on this sponsorship shows how high our regard is for these awards," he said.

Sports supporters are invited to join in the celebration by picking up a ticket and enjoying the night.

-Tickets cost $90 from Sport Hawke's Bay. Student prices are available.