Northern sports magic: Time to cast your vote

SAM WARRINER:* Winning a 70.3 Ironman in her first year after giving birth * Blair Tuke winning the Youth America's Cup with Team NZ * Taniwha captain Rene Ranger turning down the All Black jersey.

Calling all Northlanders - The Northern Advocate wants to know what your most magical sporting moment is for the 2013 People's Choice Award.

The Northern Advocate People's Choice Award is all about celebrating those "magical moments" that have occurred in Northland sport over the years.

Whether it be the Rugby World Cup matches at Toll Stadium - where the sold-out sign went up and the whole of Northland became involved - or in 1996 when our own Blyth Tait won a gold medal on Reddy Teddy at the Atlanta Olympics, sparking a celebratory street parade to welcome him home afterwards.

Going further back in history, most people will remember the North Auckland rugby teams of the 1970s creating "shield fever" with two massive wins to bring the shield back to Northland.

Over 35,000 people were at Okara Park in 1972 to witness North Auckland's last Ranfurly Shield defence of the season against Auckland, and who could forget Chippie Semenoff kicking a penalty goal eight minutes into injury time to win the shield off Manawatu in Palmerston North in 1978.

The only criteria for the People's Choice Award are that the moment has been agreed that it was magical, and will have either occurred in Northland or involved Northland teams or individuals - but not Northlanders as part of other teams.

Of course there will be other magical moments in Northland sport, which is why The Northern Advocate and Sport Northland are asking each sport, and the public, to nominate your own favourite moment from which the judges will select finalists for the public to vote on.

The winner will be announced at the 2013 Northland Sports Awards on November 29.

To enter your magical sporting moment, email sports@northernadvocate.co.nz