Sports Awards nominations close on Sunday

Former All Black Matthew Cooper will serve as this year's Whanganui Sports Awards MC.

Deadline for nominations for the 2017 Ray White Whanganui Sports Awards will close tomorrow, as tickets for the glittering evening go on sale next week.

Sport Whanganui has confirmed the guest MC for the evening will be 26-game All Black Matthew Cooper, now part of the Sky TV sports commentary team and the CEO of Sport Waikato.

Cooper is highly regarded as a public speaker, joining the evening with its buffet dinner and music.

Including the awards from the nominees, the evening will also host the annual induction of the new members of the 'Whanganui Sports Hall of Fame', as well as the 'Sport Whanganui Roll of Honour' - which recognises volunteers who have contributed 25-plus years of service to the region's sports.

As usual, nominations have come in slowly, with interested parties encouraged to visit the Sport Whanganui offices today or go online to www.sportwhanganui.co.nz/events to find out about nomination forms.

"These awards recognise exceptional performances and contribution to sport," said Sport Whanganui CEO Danny Jonas.

"This is an opportunity to showcase the stunning sporting talent in our region and celebrate these successes as a community."

Nominations can be made for individuals, teams, coaches or officials from across the Whanganui, Rangitikei and Ruapehu regions.

Last year's event attracted around 86 nominations, with 420 guests attending the awards night at the Wanganui Racecourse.

The 54th edition of the event will take place in the War Memorial Hall on Friday, November 17.

Tickets go on sale on Monday.

To find out more about nominations and the event, please contact organiser Nicky Malipaard on 06 349 2880 or nicky@sportwhanganui.co.nz.

The award categories are
NZME Services to Sport Recognition; David Jones Motors Masters Award; Mars Petcare Coach; Stihl Shop Wanganui Club; Rivercity Gas Disabled Sportsperson Recognition; Treadwell Gordon Junior Team Ali Arc Senior Team; Stirling Sports National Junior Sportsperson; NZCT National Senior Sportsperson; Velo Ronny's Bicycle Store International Junior Sportsperson; Mitre 10 MEGA International Senior Sportsperson.