Halberg Awards 2024: Dame Lisa Carrington leads Sportswoman finalists

Olympic champion Lisa Carrington has been nominated for Sportswoman of the Year. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Three-time Supreme Halberg Award winner Dame Lisa Carrington has again been nominated for Sportswoman of the Year.

Thirty-three finalists across six categories have been selected for the 62nd ISPS HANDA Halberg Awards following New Zealand’s and its athletes’ achievements in 2024.

A panel of former athletes, coaches, sports administrators and media representatives selected the finalists from 65 nominations submitted by national sports organisations and an independent nominations board, recognising achievements from December 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024. The winners will be announced at a black-tie event at Spark Arena in Auckland on February 18 next year. It will also crown the Sir Murray Halberg Legacy Award, Sport New Zealand’s Leadership Award and the only publicly voted Award - New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment. Finalists for the sportswoman, sportsman, para-athlete/para-team and team categories are also eligible for the supreme award.

Sportswoman of the Year nominations

• Ellesse Andrews (cycling - track),
• Bryony Botha (cycling - track),
• Dame Lisa Carrington (canoe racing),
• Zoe Crawford (surf lifesaving),
• Sarah Hirini (rugby - sevens),
• Amelia Kerr (cricket),
• Lydia Ko (golf),
• Caitlin O’Reilly (swimming - marathon),
• Risealeaana Pouri-Lane (rugby - sevens),
• Alice Robinson (snow sports),
• Erin Routliffe (tennis),
• Emma Twigg (rowing),
• Maddison-Lee Wesche (athletics - field),
• Ally Wollaston (cycling - track).

Sportsman of the Year nominations

• Finn Butcher (canoe slalom),
• Fergus Eadie (surf lifesaving),
• Rocco Jamieson (snow sports),
• Hamish Kerr (athletics - field),
• James McDonald (horse racing),
• Ben Richards (snow sports),
• Hayden Wilde (triathlon),
• Chris Wood (football).

Kiwi jockey James McDonald wins the Hong Kong Cup on Romantic Warrior at Sha Tin in Hong Kong. Photo / Hong Kong Jockey Club

Para Athlete/Para Team of the Year

• Danielle Aitchison (Para athletics),
• Peter Cowan (Para va’a/ waka ama),
• Anna Grimaldi (Para athletics),
• Adam Hall (Para snow sports),
• Holly Robinson (Para athletics),
• Anna Taylor (Para cycling),
• Nicole Murray (Para cycling),
• William Stedman (Para athletics).

Team of the Year

• Blackcaps (cricket),
• Black Ferns (rugby - sevens),
• Lucy Spoors and Brooke Francis (rowing),
• Emirates Team New Zealand (sailing),
• Men’s 49er (sailing),
• Men’s Coxless Four (rowing),
• Mixed Nacra 17 (sailing),
• New Zealand U17 men’s Team (basketball),
• Paddle Ferns (canoe polo),t
• White Ferns (cricket),
• Women’s K2 sprint kayak (canoe racing),
• Women’s K4 sprint kayak (canoe racing),
• Women’s team pursuit (cycling - track),
• Women’s Team Sprint (cycling - track).

Coach of the Year

• Jon Andrews (cycling - track),
• Nils Coberger (snow sports),
• James Coote (rowing),
• Ray Davies (sailing),
• Michael Jacobs (Para athletics),
• Andrew McFadzean (canoe polo),
• Aaron Osborne (canoe slalom),
• James Sandilands (athletics),
• Cory Sweeney (rugby - sevens),
• Gordan Walker (canoe racing),
• Damian Wiseman (Para cycling).

Emerging Talent

• Tyler Bindon (football),
• Cormac Buchanan (motorcycling-road),
• Oscar Goodman (basketball),
• Luke Harrold (snow sports),
• Yanhao “Dwayne” Li (figure skating),
• Ethan Olivier (athletics),
• Zoe Pedersen (surf lifesaving and swimming),
• Levi Townley (motorcycling - motocross),
• Erice Van Leuven (cycling - mountain bike),
• Ben Westenberg (Para cycling).

2023 Halberg Award winners

• Supreme: Dame Lisa Carrington (canoeing)
• Sportsman: Aaron Gate (cycling)
• Sportswoman: Dame Lisa Carrington (canoeing)
• Para-athlete: Cameron Leslie (swimming/wheelchair rugby)
• Team: Black Ferns Sevens (rugby)
• Coach: Gordan Walker (canoeing)
• Emerging talent: Julian David (climbing)
• Leadership: Wayne Smith (rugby)
• Favourite moment: New Zealand Warriors (rugby)