Call out for top young achievers in sport

New Zealand's top young sportsmen and women again have the chance to join Sarah Ulmer, Beatrice Faumuina, Daniel Vettori, Rob Waddell, Dean Barker, Ryan Archibald, Martin Crowe, Valerie Vili and other sporting greats who have been recognised as winners of the New Zealand Herald Junior Sports Awards.

Established in 1968, they are the longest running awards of their type in New Zealand and have acknowledged more than 180 sportsmen and women.

This year's awards will again be supported by the New Zealand Herald in conjunction with the Millennium Institute of Sport and Health.

The winners will receive a prize package including a $1500 training grant, an engraved medallion, product from the sponsors and the opportunity to spend a night at the institute and experience its facilities.

All winners, their parents and coaches, will be guests at a lunch at the institute in early March.

As well as the winners, the judges will highly commend up to three other applicants. They, too, will be guests at the function.

It has again been a year of outstanding achievements by young sporting stars who are now invited to forward their applications for recognition.

Applications should be about 400 words.

All applicants must be under 20 years of age at December 31.

All applications must include the applicant's full name, address, school (where appropriate), contact details and a full explanation of the performance(s) to be considered.

Applications must be supported by a coach, parent, school or club secretary and must have the applicant's permission to be forwarded.

Applications must be marked NZ Herald Junior Sports Awards.

They can be sent to P.O. Box 32, Auckland, faxed to (09) 373-6428 (attention Terry Maddaford)

Applications must be received by December 31.