Awards' fine print rules some juniors ineligible

Sport Wanganui CEO Danny Jonas.

An 11th hour review of the rule book and nomination form has seen considerable changes made to the junior sportsperson nomination categories of the 2013 Ray White Wanganui Sports Awards.

Judging panel chairwoman Philippa Baker-Hogan, requested a meeting with fellow judges Keith Smith and Jared Smith at the Wanganui Rugby Union yesterday to select a different winner for the National Junior Sportsperson award.

As part of this review, over half a dozen competitors in this category were moved over to the International Junior Sportsperson group, increasing it to around 20 nominees, on the basis that competing overseas for New Zealand was among their highlights over the past 12 months.

The nominees, or the people who put them forward, were told of the change by Sport Wanganui staff this week.

CEO Danny Jonas had met with Hogan to discuss the matter as the nomination forms did come with a disclaimer where competing offshore meant nominees could not be considered for the national award, even if winning a New Zealand title was their best success.

"Please note: If you have represented at international level, you cannot be nominated in this category," the small print reads.

Almost all of the nominees who have jumped categories are national champions, but also attended events like Oceania championships.

During deliberations the judging panel did consider keeping the two categories with their original listings, but agreed with Keith Smith's assessment that the "published criteria" for the 2013 awards could not be ignored.

Hogan, who had pushed for the introduction for national categories to recognise nominees whose achievements could not hope to measure up against stars who compete at Olympic and World Championship level, agreed it was tough on this middle tier of athletes who won national glories, but could not replicate it on the international stage.

Nonetheless, they could advance themselves internationally in the future and there had to be a clear separation line, she said.

"I had really thought the breaking down of national and international wasn't so much about 'dis-cluding' but more recognising the highest national and the highest international results," Hogan said in an email.

"However, the more I think about that, that principle could mean the same person wins both, which is not the object."

The nominees list from consists of Sammy Murphy (netball/rowing), Erica Tanner (kayaking), Hayden Smith (motocross), Johnathan Maples (gymnastics), Daniel Kauika (waka ama), Regan Davey (kayaking), Jessica Watkin (cricket), Sione Walker (judo), Paris Butters (tennis), and the addition of Shannon Schmanski (swimming).

All the award winners will be announced on November 15.