Sports awards biggest ever

Local community volunteers and international sport stars are among 75 nominations for the Taranaki Sports Awards.

The Taranaki Sports Awards, previously the Sportsperson of the Year Awards, has a long history in the region, and recognises all aspects of sports from local clubs and volunteers right through to individual athletes at the top of their sporting careers.

More than 80 nominations were received for 11 award categories, making it the biggest awards in the history of the event.

Among the individual finalists for 2018 are Commonwealth Gold medallist Michaela Blyde from rugby sevens, world surfing silver medallist Paige Harib, winter Para-Olympic bronze medallist Corey Peters and All Black super star Beauden Barrett.

In the categories of official, volunteer and coach of the year, nominations include Byron Reid (surf life saving), Karen Gillum-Green (athletics), Jacob Rapira (boxing), Jamis Sutherland (yachting), AJ Brown (netball) and Sue Southgate (swimming).

A member of the Taranaki sporting community will also be inducted into the Taranaki Sports Hall of Fame, which recognises individuals for their significant contribution to sport or school sport, and will be announced on the night.

Sport Taranaki CEO Howie Tamati says the calibre of this year’s nominations will make it extremely difficult for the judges to select the winners.

Tamati says nominations have come for a range of sports including rugby, hockey, tennis, basketball, surf life saving and swimming.

■ The Taranaki Sports Awards evening will be held at the Devon Hotel on November

23 from 5pm. Tickets available from Sport Taranaki.