A vintage year for some
It has been another enthralling year in sport in Manawatu¯. While many of the region’s teams did not set the world alight, there was a hefty group of individuals who starred. Sports reporters Shaun Eade and George Heagney pick their Manawatu¯ Standard spo
Sportsman of the year: Brendon Hartley (motorsport)
Hartley bagged the trifecta of the World Endurance Championship title, a 24 Hours of Le Mans win and making his Formula One debut.
But it was not just his achievements on the track that turned heads, but the way he achieved it. His against the odds rise to the pinnacle class of motorsport was an inspirational story of perserverance and dedication.
Other finalists: Simon van Velthooven (sailing), Ngani Laumape (rugby), Levi Sherwood (motocross), George Worker (cricket).
Sportswoman of the year: Sarah Goss (rugby)
It is hard to go past the efforts of Goss in 2017. She was once again leading the way for the New Zealand women’s sevens team and then made the transition to 15s, where she was impressive on the side of the scrum for the Black Ferns.
She was one of three Manawatu¯ women in the World Cup-winning squad.
The fact Goss is also up against Sam Whitelock and Rieko Ioane for New Zealand Rugby’s biggest award, the Kelvin R Tremain Memorial player of the year, is a pointer to her influence on the sport.
Other finalists: Selica Winiata (rugby), Julie Brougham (equestrian), Kristina Sue (rugby), Hannah Rowe (cricket).
Junior sportsperson of the year: Callum Mcrae (basketball)
A towering figure in the paint, Mcrae has been hard to miss on the basketball court over the last couple of years.
Palmerston North Boys’ High School’s surprise loss in the quarterfinals of the secondary schools nationals should not take the gloss what was a stellar year.
He was impressive for the Junior Tall Blacks, which earned him a trial for the senior Tall Blacks side.
He will no doubt be off to an American college next year, but not before he suits up for the Manawatu¯ Jets.
Other finalists: Jack Lewer (athletics), Mya Rasmussen (swimming), Emily Sherman (cycling), Laticia Transom (swimming).
Team of the year: Manawatu¯ -Wanganui 4x400m relay team
The team of Quinn Hartley, Zac Topping, Sam Merson and Brayden Grant produced a special run to claim the national title in March.
Led by Hartley, who also claimed the 400m title at the nationals track and field championships, the quartet ensured Manawatu¯ were on the podium in the prestigious relay events.
They were one of the few senior teams to stand up in 2017. Luckily there were plenty of age-group teams to taste success instead.
Other finalists: Palmerston North Boys’ High School Karting, Manawatu¯ under-19 netball, Palmerston North Girls’ High School squash, Central under-18 hockey girls.
Coach of the year: Wesley Clarke (rugby)
It is hard to beat winning a World Cup. Clarke was the assistant coach for the Black Ferns on their charge to the women’s world cup in August.
But Clarke’s exploits did not stop there.
He was also coach of the Feilding High School first XV who were runners up in both the Central North Island competition and the national Top Four co-ed competition.
Other finalists: Sharon Sims (bowls), Yvette Mccauslanddurie (netball), John Atkins (netball), Verity Sharland (hockey).