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Nominations and recognition from nearly 30 sports across 11 categories will be recognised tonight during the Ray White Wanganui Sports Awards at the Wanganui Racecourse.
The annual glittering event organised by Sport Whanganui is to reward the regions standout performers, coaches and administrators for their efforts from October 1 last year through to the end of September.
As expected, the rowers dominate International Senior Sportsperson grade as Chris Harris (bronze), Rebecca Scown (silver) and Kerri Gowler (two silver), all came back with riches from the 2015 World Rowing Championships in Aiguebelette, France.
The National Senior Sportsperson award offers an interesting mix between Devon Homes Central Districts batsman Ben Smith, now retired NZ Jet Sprint Championship superboat title holder Pat Dillon and bowls legend Peter Belliss, who picked up another national title in the fours.
There are up to 25 nominations split across the International and National Junior Sportsperson categories, offering a real mixture of achievements in codes from skateboarding, golf croquet, and mounted games, through to the more mainstream areas like cricket and rugby.
No youngster can achieve without a guiding hand and this is reflected in the seven nominations for Coach of the Year, with includes regular contenders like sprint kayaking's Brian Scott and rowing's Ian Weenink, through to those with recent successes like Andy McLay (swimming), Gareth Wright (triathlon, duathlon, cycling), Gary Davies (judo), Kelly Taylor (gymnastics) and John Roestenburg (squash).
The guest MC for this evening will be mountaineer Mark Inglis
Finalists for each category from the nominations received have been chosen by the judges and the winners will be announced, from which the Overall Supreme Winner will close of the night.
As well as the nominees, the latest entries into the Wanganui Sports Hall of Fame will be inducted.
The event starts at 6.45pm.
The nominees are:
David Jones Motors Masters: Alan Luff (Cycling), Nadine Cull (Squash), Patrick Johnstone (Cycling).
Mars Petcare Coach of Year: Andy McLay (Swimming), Brian Scott (Sprint Kayaking), Gareth Wright (Triathlon & Cycling), Garry Davies (Judo), Ian Weenink (Rowing), John Roestenburg (Squash), Kelly Taylor-Ward (Gymnastics).
Stihl Shop Wanganui Club of Year: Aramoho Wanganui Rowing Club, Collegians Women's Hockey Club, Kaierau Netball Club, Wanganui Boys & Girls Gym Club, Wanganui Harriers Club, Whanganui Multisport Club Inc.
Treadwell Gordon Junior Team of Year: Aiden Nossiter & Max Brown (Sprint Kayaking); Jess Brougham & Kayla Spencer (Rowing), Wanganui Collegiate 4x100m & 4x400m Relay Team (Athletics), Wanganui Youth Roller Hockey Team, Whanganui U18 Women's K4 Crew (Sprint Kayaking)
Ali Arc Senior Team of Year: Heartland Bank Women's National Fours (Lawn Bowls), Kaierau Premier 1 Team (Netball), Luke Watts & Hugh Pawson (Rowing), Wanganui C Grade Mens Team (Squash).
Stirling Sports National Junior Sportsperson: Briley Zimmerman (Triathlon), Daniel Kauika (Waka Ama), Geordie Beamish (Athletics), Hugh Pawson (Rowing), Jessica Brougham (Rowing), Jonathan Maples (Gymnastics), Max Attwell (Athletics), Naomi Craig (Skateboarding), Sarya Lower (Swimming), Stephen Perofeta (Rugby), Tara Raj (Golf).
NZCT National Senior Sportsperson: Ben Smith (Cricket), Pat Dillon (Jetsprinting), Peter Belliss (Lawn Bowls).
Velo Ronny's Bicycle Store International Junior Sportsperson: Christian Conder (Cross Country, Athletics), Elena Forlong (Swimming), Erica Tanner (Sprint Kayaking), Finn Brown (Judo), Jackie Gowler (Rowing), Jane Lennox (Cross Country), Jessica van Bentum (Inline Speedskating), Lachlan Hughes (Golf Croquet), Lily Meade (Tournament Waterskiiing), Millie Manning (Gymnastics), Rebecca Benge (Equestrian Mounted Games), Shannon Schimanski (Swimming), Toby Brooke (Sprint Kayaking), Jessica Watkin (Cricket).
Mitre 10 Mega International Senior Sportsperson: Chris Harris (Rowing), Kerri Gowler (Rowing), Rebecca Scown (Rowing).
Sport Whanganui Services to Sport Recognition:Alec McNab (Athletics), Bevan Tasker (Lawn Bowls), Garth Hammond (Rowing), Jason King (Football), Michelle Low (Hockey), Shaun Tucker (Cycling), Stuart Bevan (Multisport).
Rivercity Gas Disabled Sportsperson Recognition: Judith Bradley (Indoor Bowls).