Sports awards finalists announced
Annual sports awards look a little different after Covid shaped past 12 months
Anew winner of the Hawke’s Bay Senior Sportsperson of the Year will be crowned in 2021.
None of this year’s finalists — Piera Hudson (alpine ski racing), Tom Mackintosh (rowing), Georgia Hulls (athletics) and Alexandra Madsen (scooter) — has previously held the title.
Last year’s champion, kayaker Aimee Fisher, was not nominated this year.
Due to Covid restrictions, the 2020 event was held online, with Fisher claiming her third title in just five years.
The winners of this year’s awards will be announced at an in-person event at a ceremony on May 29 at the Pettigrew Green Arena in Taradale.
After deliberation from judges and experts, 41 finalists across 13 categories were chosen.
Sport Hawke’s Bay general manager Ryan Hambleton said the region had produced outstanding finalists across a range of sports despite Covid changing the sporting landscape over the past 12 months.
“This year was a bit different for the judges with a lot of competition taking place locally,” he said.
“It didn’t make the job any easier with 18 sports represented spread across 41 finalists, this year looks to be another great opportunity to celebrate all that is great about sport.”
Football, basketball, canoe polo and hockey have the highest number of finalists, followed by scooter, BMX racing and bowls.
The winners of the Senior, Junior, Master and Disabled Sportsperson and Junior and Senior Team of the Year will go forward as finalists for the supreme award — the Forsyth Barr Hawke’s Bay Sportsperson of the Year.
Hambleton said the awards acts as an opportunity for Hawke’s Bay to recognise the region’s sporting achievements.
“It’s great to see so many from the Hawke’s Bay community taking this opportunity to recognise and celebrate successes in their sport and acknowledge those who work so hard to make sport happen,” he added.
Tickets for the awards night are available through via www. hbsportsawards.co.nz and at the Sport Hawke’s Bay office at Pettigrew Green Arena.