Top field announced for awards

Two finalists with Olympic medals – Nick Willis and Mary Fisher - are among the Hutt Valley Sports Awards finalists.

Fisher won gold at the Rio Paralympics by setting a world record in the backstroke S11.

The Upper Hutt swimmer has an impressive career record setting numerous world records and must be in contention for the supreme award.

She is a finalist in the sportswoman and disabled categories, and is not the only Upper HUtt swimmer in the finals with Chelsey Edwards featuring in the young sportswoman section.

Willis, who lives in the United States but still considers himself a Lower Hutt lad, won bronze in the glamour 1500m. In doing so he became the oldest runner to medal in an event that is considered one of the toughest in athletics.

He added to his already impressive record, which includes two Olympic and three Commonwealth Games medals.

Convener of judges Derek Wilshere said having two such high quality athletes as finalists, reflected the quality of the finalists.

There were more than 100 nominations with good representations from both Upper and Lower Hutt. The toughest category was junior woman, where the finalists are Edwards, Junior White Sox captain Pallas Potter and promising runner Phoebe McKnight.

Wilshere said the Hutt Valley had always been a breeding ground for sport and the judges agonised over the junior categories.

The youngest finalist is 13 year-old athlete Finlay Seeds from Upper Hutt, who excelled in the 800m and 1500m, as well as cross country and road racing.

Notable finalists include Petone rugby father and son, Mike and Rory Woollett, and last year’s overall winner cricket umpire Kathy Cross.

As always softball, cricket and rugby are well represented with four finalists.

The overall winner will be announced at the awards dinner on Thursday May 18.