World champions in line for awards

Will rower Emma Twigg win Hawke's Bay's Sportsperson of the Year award?

Which world champion, cyclist Regan Gough or rower Emma Twigg, will win Hawke's Bay's Sportsperson of the Year award?

That question sprung to mind when the finalists for the 2015 Hawke's Bay Sports Awards function to be held at Taradale's Pettigrew-Green Arena on May 16 were announced last night.

Twigg, who won the award in 2005 and 2007, is the hot favourite for the senior award after being named World Rowing's International Female Crew of the Year. This recognised the single sculler's wins at all three World Cup regattas.

Gough is the logical choice for the junior award after becoming the most medalled junior track cyclist in the history of New Zealand cycling. His two golds, silver and bronze at last year's junior worlds in South Korea followed two silvers from the 2013 Junior Worlds.

His biggest feat during the judging period for this year's awards was helping the Kiwi elite men's pursuit team win gold at the February world championships in Paris.

The fact he won a world elite title while still a junior could give him the edge in the battle for the supreme award.

Gough and Central Hawke's Bay Cycling Club clubmate Luke Mudgway are the hot favourites for the junior team award after winning gold in the Madison race at the Junior Worlds.

If Gough was to win all three awards he would become the first to manage this feat since Hawke's Bay's 2013 Sportsperson of the Year, rower Thomas Jenkins.

Winners of the Senior, Junior, Masters, Junior Team and Senior Team awards become automatic finalists for the supreme award.

After winning the Ranfurly Shield and locking it away for the summer after four successful defences the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team will be hard to beat in the Senior Team category. Their coach, Craig Philpott, is among the finalists in the Coach award where Gough's mentor Ivar Hopman will be hard to beat.

After recording their best finish in the ASB Premiership, a second to Auckland City, the Hawke's Bay United Football side's chances of upsetting the Magpies can't be discounted.

With regular winner, triathlete Ali Hollington, not among finalists in the masters category, competition will be tighter. Fellow triathlete John Moriarty, who qualified for the Kona World Championships with a second placing in his age group at the Taupo Ironman and waka ama's Lesley Lenden, who won two medals at the Rio world championships, are contenders.

For the first time masters teams are also being considered for the masters award.

Black Caps cricketer Kyle Mills, a member of the World Cup squad, will be the guest speaker. Sports journalist Phil Gifford will MC the function and one of his tasks will be interviewing Philpott about the Magpies Ranfurly Shield success.

Entertainment will include jazz music by Margot Wuts, her brother Tom Pierard, and friends. Tickets cost $90 and are available from Sport Hawke's Bay. Student prices are also available.

Hawke's Bay finalists

Sportsground.co.nz Administrator:

Carl Larsen (Mountainbiking), Mike Bishop (Rugby), Brendon Lodge (Triathlon).

IMS Payroll Club Operations: Basketball Hawke's Bay, Porthill Junior Football, Hawke's Bay Mountainbiking Club, Hawke's Bay Netball, Triathlon Hawke's Bay.

Nimon Grassroots Club: Havelock North Cricket Club, Marist Football Club, Porthill United Football Club, Otane Sports Netball, Otane Sports Rugby.

Westpac Innovation in Sport & Recreation: Go 4 12 Youth Adventure Race, BUAR Founding Organising Committee, Basketball Hawke's Bay Officials Development Programme, Event Pro Land Rover Cross Country, Festival of Hockey.

Sileni Estates Coach: Dean Hulls (Athletics), Ivar Hopman (Cycling), Brett Angell (Football), Caryn Paewai (Hockey), Craig Philpott (Rugby), Noel Hardgrave-Booth (Swimming), Carl Paton (Mountainbiking).

Lion Foundation Junior: Piera Hudson (Alpine Ski Racing), Regan Gough (Cycling), Tom Mackintosh (Rowing), Edwin Laver (Rowing), Geoff Cridge (Rugby), Bobbi Gichard (Swimming).

Konica Minolta Junior Team: Regan Gough and Luke Mudgway (Cycling), NBHS Orienteering Team, Abby Goodwin and Olivia Mackay (Sailing), Westshore IRB Crew (Surf Lifesaving), Hawke's Bay Under-15 Boys Touch, KTR Ruamano, KTR Waipureku.

Kennedy Park Masters Sportsperson/Sports Team: Kathy Olsen (Golf), Russell Winkley (Table Tennis), John Moriarty (Triathlon), Linda Exeter-Grant (Triathlon), Lesley Lenden (Waka Ama), KTR Pearls Heretaunga Ararau SMW (Waka Ama).

Spark Digital Service to Sport (all winners): Sharee Jones (Athletics), Jude Andersen (Badminton), Carol Lomax (Football), Terry Huffam (Football), Joss Prussing (Hockey), Mark Carter (Softball), Barry Sklenars (Table Tennis).

Tremains Senior Team: IMS Payroll Bay Hawks (Basketball), Bowls Heretaunga Women's Triples (Bowls), Hawke's Bay United (Football), Hawke's Bay Magpies (Rugby).

Fastway Print Official: Apai Apai (Basketball), Bruce Dockary (Rugby), Gail Hussey (Triathlon).

Conroy Removals Senior Sportsperson: Emily Naylor (Hockey), Shea McAleese (Hockey), Fiona Bourke (Rowing), Emma Twigg (Rowing), Israel Dagg (Rugby), Gillies Kaka (Sevens), Rowland Smith (Shearing).

HB Today-Radio Sport Sportsperson of the Year: To be announced.