Kayaking: Rotorua pair in frame to be best

Rotorua white water kayaker Sam Sutton and rower Julia Edward are among the finalists for the 2013 Bay of Plenty Sports Awards.

The finalists have been named for the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic 2013 Bay of Plenty Sports Awards being held in Tauranga on Friday, November 22. Organised each year by Sport Bay of Plenty, the awards salute outstanding achievement by Bay sportsmen and women during the past 12 months.

The Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Supreme Award is regarded as the ultimate accolade for sporting excellence in the region, won last year by Olympic gold medallist Lisa Carrington.

There will be 18 awards announced on the night, including Sportsman of the Year and Sportswoman of the Year.

A host of Rotorua athletes have made the shortlist for awards this year.

A six-strong judging panel worked through nominations for the awards, with each category hotly debated during the day-long judging session.

Sport Bay of Plenty chief executive Wayne Werder said it should be a great night at the ASB Arena on November 22.

"The calibre of nominations and the variety of sports never fails to amaze and it is fantastic what Bay of Plenty athletes, coaches, officials and administrators are achieving."

Also presented on the night are the Bay of Plenty Secondary School Sports Awards.

Tickets for the awards night cost adults $80, students $40 and are available through Valda Money at Sport Bay of Plenty on (07) 578 0016 or email valdam@sportbop.co.nz.