Picking a standout amongst the successes of Northland secondary school sport will not be an easy task.
With a record 340 nominations, 163 individuals and three teams have been named as finalists at the 2016 ASB Northland Secondary Schools Sports Awards.
21 schools are represented, ranging from Kaitaia to Wellsford.
The regional annual awards acknowledge outstanding student sporting achievements in recognised secondary school sport as well as achievements in sporting codes not offered at a secondary school level, like boxing and pistol shooting. A total of 43 sporting codes will be represented.
Major awards from code winners deemed to have the highest sporting achievement in a sport not offered at secondary school level will be eligible for ASB Excellence Awards, male and female. The ASB Sportsman of the Year and Sportswoman of the Year will be named from all code winners in recognised Secondary School sport. There is also an award for Team of the Year.
Sport Northland's regional sports director Robyn Richards has been overwhelmed with the support from schools, parents and coaches for the annual event.
"Every year we seem to sneak in more nominations than the year before. We are delighted our secondary school students are making sure their achievements are being noted. Good on them for that," she said.
This year will be a particularly special event as the ASB Northland Secondary Schools Sports Awards celebrates its own milestone of recognising and awarding local talent for 25 years.
ASB Northland regional manager Glen Hardham is delighted to be involved and to, this year, celebrate the exceptional local sporting talent alongside acknowledging 25 years of the event.
"Each year I am impressed by the large number of elite athletes recognised at the ASB Northland Secondary Schools Awards, many of whom are regional, national and international champions. The evening is an opportunity to highlight and acknowledge the great work undertaken by schools and the local sporting community in fostering and developing sporting talent in our region's youth," he said.
Richards has been busy contacting and inviting former winners of the sportsman and sportswoman of the year titles in celebration of the 25 year milestone.
"It has been amazing to find out that so many of our past winners now live overseas. I am thrilled to have secured the 1992 sportswoman of the year and the 1992 student speaker, both originally from Bay of Islands College," she said.
Richards has also been compiling a commemorative book showcasing the event's 25 year history which features photos from each of the awards nights from 1992. It will be available for purchase after the inclusion of the 2016 winners from this year's event in order to represent all 25 years.
The 2016 ASB Northland Secondary Schools Sports Awards will take place in the ASB Stadium on Thursday October 27.
Finalists and their whanau will be able to purchase tickets online at www.sportnorthland.co.nz. Tickets are also available from Sport Northland reception from October 10.