Rebecca Scown
It does their heart palpitations no good as they wait for the deluge of last-minute entries, but Sport Wanganui once again has a good turnout of nominees for the 2014 Ray White Wanganui Sports Awards.
After only 10 confirmed nominees just seven days out from the closing date earlier this month, ultimately nearly 80 applications have been received, including all the standout performers from the year across a multitude of codes.
The judging committee of chairwoman Philippa Baker-Hogan, Keith Smith, Grant McKinnon and Jared Smith sat down on October 24 to select the three finalists from each of the nine categories, as well as the overall Supreme award winner.
In addition, Sport Wanganui has announced 15 people who will receive the Services to Sport recognition at the ceremony on November 21 at the Wanganui Racecourse.
Another first will see the recognition of two athletes in the disabled sportsperson group. There will also be the annual inductees to the Wanganui Sports Hall of Fame.
The qualifying period for nominees was based on their achievements between October 1, 2013, and September 30 this year.
There are familiar faces in the senior international category as multiple Supreme winner Rebecca Scown had another grand year with medals at the World Rowing Championships and the World Cup Series, while runner Lucy Van Dalen went to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and won the Asics Bolt 5km race in Australia against a quality international field.
Joining them for the first time is hockey goalkeeper Melissa Hylton, whose late nomination was accepted, after she represented New Zealand Maori against international teams at the Festival of Hockey in Hawke's Bay during April, and she will line up in the President's XI to play in the Oceania Pacific Cup in Fiji next month.
Not surprisingly, the junior categories provide the biggest numbers with seven entries in the international sportsperson section, 14 in the national and 10 in the teams grade.
The MC will be popular comedian and member of TV3's 7 Days cast, Ben Hurley.
Tickets are on sale at the Sport Wanganui office, 40 Maria Place Extension. Individual entry is $50 or guests can book a table of 10 for $450. This will include dinner and live entertainment. Sales will close next Friday, November 7.
For further information see the Sport Wanganui website.
The awards categories and nominees are:
Stirling Sports National Junior Sportsperson of the Year
Te Aturere Albert (Rugby), Aarron McLeod (Rugby League), James Brett (Rugby), Brett Cameron (Cricket, Rugby), Zyon Hekenui (Rugby), Kameli Kuruyabaki (Rugby), Jonathan Maples (Gymnastics), Mitchell Overton (Rugby), Jazmin Phillips (Athletics, Cross-Country, Swimming), Shannon Schimanski (Swimming), Kayla Spencer (Rowing), Timothy Warren (Archery), James Wright (Triathlon/Aquathon), Tui Wikohika (Snowboarding),
Velo Ronny's Bicycle Store International Junior Sportsperson of the Year
Max Attwell (Athletics Decathlon), Geordie Beamish (Athletics & Cross Country), Max Brown (Sprint Kayaking), Henry Collier (Cricket), Kerri Gowler (Rowing), Aiden Nossiter (Sprint Kayaking), Jessica Van Bentum (Inline Speed Skating).
NZCT National Senior Sportsperson of the Year
Ellie Bowen (Running), Nick Cranston (Rugby), Gordon Karaitiana (Rugby League), Shaun McDonough (Rugby), Jonathan Parkes (Horse Racing), Peter Rowe (Rugby), Jackie Tapp (Squash), Lasa Ulukuta (Rugby), Luke Watts (Rowing), Hayden Wilson (Jet Sprinting).
Mitre 10 MEGA International Senior Sportsperson of the Year
Lucy Van Dalen (Athletics), Melissa Hylton (Hockey), Rebecca Scown (Rowing).
Stihl Shop Wanganui Club of the Year
Aramoho Wanganui Rowing Club Inc, Wanganui Boys & Girls Gym Club, Wanganui Pirates Rugby Club, Wanganui Swimming Club.
Mars Petcare Coach of the Year
Langley Atkinson (Hockey), Gary Clark (Inline Speed Skating), Denis Edwards (Rugby), Sharon Francis (Football), Hayden Hepburn (Rugby), Haki Herewini (Rugby League), Raponi Tofa (Boxing), Phillip Morris (Rugby), Shane Ratima (Rugby), Brian Scott (Sprint Kayaking), Jake Steed (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu), Ian Weenink (Rowing), Gareth Wright (Triathlon).
Treadwell Gordon Junior Team of the Year
Cricket Wanganui U12 Team, Toby Brooke, Mark Lace, Tim Rowe, Lachie Cromar (Kayaking), Jackie Gowler & Georgia Nugent-O'Leary (Rowing), Netball Wanganui Year 8 Rep Team, Rangitikei U13 Boys Hockey Team, Wanganui Boxon Rugby League U13's, Wanganui Intermediate Football Academy, Wanganui U19 Rep Rugby Team, Wanganui Swim Club NZ Short Course Team, Whanganui U17 Mixed Touch Team.
Ali Arc Senior Team of the Year
Wanganui City Hammers Football Team, Warwick & Cary Pinker (Lawn Bowls), Wanganui Pirates Rugby, Wanganui Rugby Development Squad.
David Jones Motors Masters Award
Rod Bannister (Squash), Nadine Cull (Squash), Krystine Davies (Inline Speed Skating), Alan Luff (Cycling).
River City Gas Disabled Sportsperson Recognition
Sam Donaldson (Swimming), Grant McCullogh (Indoor Bowls).
Sport Wanganui Services to Sport Recognition
Ken Carvell (Rugby), Kevin & Christie Cate (Cycling), Kent Darlington (Squash), Adam Hamlin (Cycling), Renee Harrison (Netball), Terence Hemmingsen (Ski Racing), Martin Inness (Cricket), John Laurenson (Squash), Robert McMillan (Archery), Kylie Penn (Hockey), Elizabeth Smith (Gymnastics), Peter Smith (Rowing), Jake Stead (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu), Dave Tilley (Rugby/Bowls/Hockey).