Sports awards under threat
Frantic efforts are underway to save the Counties Manukau Sporting Excellence Awards.
The event has operated every year since its inception 26 years ago and is hosted by Counties Manukau Sport.
But with recent funding cuts, organisers are struggling to sustain the much loved event. Counties Manukau Sport chief executive Russell Preston is appealing to businesses within the community.
‘‘We’re looking for anyone who is prepared to underwrite it at a cost that is affordable to the community,’’ he said.
‘‘The awards in its original form cost $100,000 to put on. This was paired back last year when the cost was reduced by nearly half.
‘‘At $200 a ticket, that’s too dear for the majority of this region.’’
Previous winners include a veritable who’s who of world and Olympic sport: the legendary Jonah Lomu, Indycar ace Scott Dixon and Olympic sail boarding champions Barbara and Bruce Kendall.
Dame Valerie Adams, the world, Olympic and Commonwealth Games shot put cham- pion has won 14 Counties Manukau Sporting Excellence Awards.
The event has been on thin ice for some years now as funding has begun to dwindle.
One major sponsor that is no longer on board is HEB Construction, once owned by Papakura philanthropist Bruce Pulman. A staunch supporter of the event, which he sponsored to the tune of $25,000 a year through his construction company.
He wants to see the awards continue and hopes someone will come to the rescue.
‘‘What are the alternatives? That’s what interests me. It would be good if they could come up with a solution.’’
Taekwondo player Melissa Timperley said south Aucklanders can’t afford to lose an event as emblematic as the Counties Manukau Sporting Excellence Awards.
‘‘It would be a real shame if they had to cancel the awards,’’ the winner of the junior sportswoman of the year award and five time finalist for sportswoman of the year said.
‘‘The evening was a great night to celebrate all the success across sports in the region and to recognise some great athletes, clubs, teams and administrators from across codes, be they well known sports or less well known alike.’’
Preston said other options may exist outside of the local area.
‘‘There are cheaper options but it would mean moving the event outside of the region which is not a favourable option.’’
‘‘It’s extremely difficult given the significance and history of the event. But at the end of the day, we are a charitable trust who has lost in excess of one million dollars in funding in 12 months so we cannot afford to sustain a loss by continuing to host this event,’’ he said.