Valerie Vili. Photo / AP.
Send applications for the Herald's Future Stars awards here
Early interest suggests the revamped Future Stars awards will continue the tradition of unearthing New Zealand's young sporting talent.
Over the years, their forerunner, the Herald's Junior Sports Awards, often gave rising sporting stars the first recognition of their talents.
Many future world, Olympic and Commonwealth champions had
the awards' engraved medallions proudly hung around their necks.
While standout individual performers including Sarah Ulmer, Rob Waddell, Valerie Vili, Tom Ashley, Julian Dean, Frank Nobilo, Wade Cunningham, Beatrice Faumuina and Katherine Prumm were recognised, many who made their marks in team sports were also winners.
Martin Crowe, John Reid and Daniel Vettori played cricket at the highest level, father and son Jeff and Ryan Archibald and Simon Child played hockey for New Zealand, Brian Turner, among the first recipients in 1967, played for the All Whites in Spain in 1982 and Lawrie Knight, another early winner, went on to play for the All Blacks.
The Herald is joined by the Millennium Institute of Sport and Health in making these awards, with the institute's chief executive, Mike Stanley, and marketing co-ordinator Julie Meyer on the judging panel.
While it is envisaged young stars in their late teens are most likely to be acclaimed among the winners, the judges will consider outstanding younger performers who have shone on the national or international stage.
While outstanding achievements in the wide world of sport have long been recognised in making 205 awards in the past 40 years, the judges will also consider sporting excellence by paralympians and other disabled sportsmen and women.
The judges, who also include former Olympic swimmer Alison Fitch, hockey international David Appleby, Herald sports editor Chris Allen and co-ordinator Terry Maddaford, will name six winners who will receive $1500 training grants, a trophy and product pack.
All winners, their parents and coaches, will be guests at a lunch in the New Year.
Entries will be received until the end of this month, December 31.
All applicants must be under 20 years of age at that date. Entries must include full details giving age, date of birth, address, and contact details. They should give full details of the performances to be considered (up to 400 words) and should be verified by a coach/parent. All applicants are expected to give permission for the entries to be considered.
Applications can be sent to the Herald by post, to Future Stars, c/- Editorial Department, P.O. Box 32, Auckland, faxed to (09) 373 6406 or emailed to futurestars@nzherald.co.nz
