KEY POINTS:
When it comes to handing out awards, sports men and women in so-called individual sports are usually the first recognised.
The judges of the New Zealand Herald Junior Sports Awards pride themselves in the number of young sporting talents in team sports who have had their deeds recognised.
From the first awards in 1967, when a young soccer playing Brian Turner was a winner - he went on to play more than 100 games for New Zealand - many of our best in a variety sports have received a coveted award.
Some of our best cricketers, including current and former Black Caps captains Daniel Vettori and Martin Crowe, along with World Cup-winning New Zealand women's cricket captain Emily Drumm, are among former winners.
The awards attract about 40-50 applications every year. This year, the same number of entries are expected.
Applications are now being accepted for the 2007 New Zealand Herald Junior Sports Awards.
The awards will again be presented in conjunction with the Millennium Institute of Sport and Health, which has been the award partner for the past two years.
The judges, Mike Stanley and Julie Meyer, from the Millennium Institute, former internationals (and Herald Junior Sports Award winners) Alison Fitch and David Appleby and Herald representatives Chris Allen and Terry Maddaford, will consider not only results but sporting achievements in selecting their five winners. They will also highly commend up to three more applicants.
The winners will receive a $1500 training grant and engraved medallion from the Herald and product from the Millennium Institute, which will also host the awards function.
The awards are open to sports men and women under 20 at December 31, 2007, living in the Herald's circulation area. All applications, which can be forwarded by a coach, parent, club secretary or school principal, must give full details including date and place of birth, address, contact details and an explanation of the performance(s) to be considered by the judges. There must be some indication that the applicant agrees to the application being submitted.
Applications should be of no more than 500 words and should be sent to NZ Herald Junior Sports Awards, PO Box 32, Auckland. They can also be sent by fax to 09 373 6428 (marked NZ Herald Junior Sports Awards) or emailed to sportrac@nzherald.co.nz
All applications must be received by December 31, 2007. The winners will be announced in January.