Time to get junior sports awards applications in

A who's who of New Zealand sport will have five new names added early next year.

The list of New Zealand Herald Junior Sports Awards winners for 2005 is certain to contain more sporting stars of the future.

First awarded in 1968 (for the 1967 sporting year), some of the best-known sportsmen and women have had their efforts recognised and for many it has been their first recognition.

Many award winners have gone on to take the supreme Halberg Award, including Alison Roe, Chris Lewis, Susan Devoy, Beatrice Faumuina, Rob Waddell, Sarah Ulmer and Phil Tataurangi (as a member of the 1993 award-winning Eisenhower Trophy team).

Others, including Martin Crowe, Frank Nobilo, Anne Audain, Anthony Mosse, Chris Dickson, Marnie Maguire, James Greenhalgh and John Reid have been finalists in their respective categories at the Halberg Awards.

Many see this year as being a watershed in New Zealand sport. Many young sportsmen and women have made their mark and now have the chance to be recognised.

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

Institute chief executive Mike Stanley is firmly behind the awards and welcomes the chance for the Millennium Institute to be involved.

"The Herald Junior Sports Awards have long recognised that without support and the encouragement of recognition, talented young athletes may not make the step up required for elite success," said Stanley.

"The Millennium Institute of Sport and Health was established to help athletes reach their potential and we are very pleased to be able to join with the Herald in making a contribution to the future success of our next generation of top performers."

The winners will receive a prize package including a $1500 training grant, an engraved medallion, products 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 luncheon 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.

Applicants, who should reside in the Herald's circulation area, are urged to forward their applications for recognition.

Applications should be of about 400 words. All applicants must be under 20 years of age at December 31, 2005. Applications must include statistical information including 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 applicants 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) or emailed to Terry Maddaford using the link below.

Applications must be received by December 31, 2005.