‘New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment’ for 2010 Heading for a Photo Finish

Auckland, 02 February 2011 - The race to determine the special sporting occasion that stirred New Zealanders the most last year, which is open to public voting, is heading for an exciting and tight finish with just over a week remaining before the big announcement.

‘New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment’ for 2010 will be announced by Prime Minister John Key at the country’s pre-eminent national sporting awards dinner - the Westpac Halberg Awards, in Auckland next Thursday, February 10.

New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment, sponsored by SPARC, is a new initiative introduced by the Halberg Trust to engage the public more closely in the Westpac Halberg Awards and at the same time, serve to stimulate greater public awareness of the work the Trust does in linking disabled people to sport.

Since the 2010 Westpac Halberg Awards finalists were announced in January 1, the public have been encouraged to vote, either by text or online, for their No.1 sporting memory last year from a shortlist of eight ‘Sporting Moments’ (see below) selected by a panel of representatives from the Halberg Trust, SPARC and media partners.

Halberg Trust Chief Executive, Steve Hall, says the response by the public to become involved in the voting process “has really exceeded our expectations. A week out from the close of voting on February 10 we’ve received thousands of votes, and we expect the final few days will generate a lot more action.”

“I understand the voting is so close you could throw a blanket over the leading contenders,” he says, “which goes to show what a great and exciting sporting year we had last year.”

The criteria for ‘New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment’, bought to you by SPARC was: “the most exciting, remarkable or compelling sporting moment, game or series during 2010 involving New Zealand sporting teams and individuals both at home and abroad.”

The final 8 ‘Favourite Sporting Moments’ (in chronological order) were:
1. Brendon McCullum - 116 not out off 56 balls; Black Caps vs Australia T20, Christchurch
2. Adam Hall - recovers and wins slalom Gold; Vancouver Paralympics
3. All Whites - Winston Reid’s last minute goal vs Slovakia; FIFA World Cup, South Africa
4. All Blacks - Israel Dagg’s last minute try to beat Springboks; Tri Nations, Soweto
5. Nikki Hamblin - late surge for 800m Silver; Delhi Commonwealth Games
6. Silver Ferns - double extra-time victory over Australia for Gold; Delhi Commonwealth Games
7. Men’s Pair - Hamish Bond & Eric Murray win Gold; World Rowing Championships, Karapiro
8. Kiwis - Nathan Fien’s last minute try to beat Australia and win Four Nations; Brisbane
Voting for New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment can be made by text or online. Text ‘SM’ followed by the number of the Sporting Moment you wish to vote for, e.g. ‘SM4’ to 5445 (Texts cost 20c on Vodafone and Telecom, and 9c on 2Degees), or vote online at www.skysport.co.nz. Voting closes at midday on the day of the Westpac Halberg Awards, Thursday, February 10.
Votes received by midnight on Monday, February 7 are eligible for the prize: four tickets to attend the Westpac Halberg Awards Dinner on February 10, which includes travel and accommodation, walking the red carpet with the stars and sitting with three-time Halberg Award winner, Valerie Adams.

ENDS

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