Finalists announced for The Dominion Post Wellington Sportsperson of the Year Awards 2011

A record 232 nominations were received over thirteen categories for The Dominion Post Wellington Sportsperson of the Year Awards 2011. Esteemed judges, experts in their sporting and sports media fields, then whittled down the nominations to 44 deserving finalists.

The list of finalists comes from a mixture of 20 different sports, from Rugby to Roller Derby, from Bowls to Boxing, highlighting the diversity of Wellington’s sporting landscape.

Once again the unsung heroes of Wellington sport have been pushed forward for celebration by their clubs and codes; the volunteers, officials and administrators who are often the first to arrive at the venue and the last to leave once the games have finished.

Sport Wellington Chief Executive Paul Cameron said “It’s great to see such a large number of nominations, particularly from clubs and regional sports organisations, recognising backroom staff and volunteers alongside elite athletes and teams. It shows how valued these people are and The Dominion Post Wellington Sportsperson of the Year Awards provides a forum to publicly thank them.”

As always a reader’s promotion to find the Air New Zealand Personality of the Year Award will be run in the Dominion Post. Finalists for this category include Community Champion and boxing personality Billy Graham, Hurricanes Half Back Piri Weepu, media stalwart Keith Quinn, and, from left field, Richter City Roller Derby who have brought their mix of spectacle and athleticism to sell out crowds at the TSB Bank Arena.

The winners of each category, plus three very worthy inductees into the Legends of Wellington, will be announced at a gala awards dinner at the Wellington Town Hall on Wednesday 25 May.

The special guest for the 2011 ceremony is Sir Peter Leitch, aka The Mad Butcher. While Sir Peter is commonly associated with Auckland and his beloved Warriors he is in fact a Wellingtonian, having gone to school in Newtown. Sir Peter will reminisce with Keith Quinn about his early days in the sporting capital.

Tickets for the awards are always highly sought after, and can be purchased through Sport Wellington by phoning (04) 380 0228

Finalists by category are:
Tui Sportsman of the Year
Gareth Kean Swimming
Ben Matulino Rugby League
Mark Paston Football
Peter Taylor Rowing

Te Kairanga Wines Sportswoman of the Year
Amanda Cleland International TaeKwon-Do
Sophie Devine Cricket/Hockey
Katrina Grant Netball
Natasha Hind Swimming

Hiremaster Team of the Year
Capital Men's NHL Hockey
Wellington Men's Interprovincial Golf team Golf
Wellington Saints Basketball

Gibson Sheat Coach of the Year
Matt Calcott Football
Ricki Herbert Football
Gary Hurring Swimming
Stephen Kearney Rugby League

Wellington City Council Emerging Sportsman of the Year
Ben Campbell Golf
Hamish Carson Athletics
Marco Rojas Football

Wellington City Council Emerging Sportswoman of the Year
Samantha Lee Surf Lifesaving
Renee Leota Football
Clare McCaul Bowls

Air New Zealand Personality of the Year
Billy Graham Boxing
Richter City Roller Derby Roller Derby
Keith Quinn Media
Piri Weepu Rugby

Pak 'N Save Kilbirnie Club Team of the Year
Capital Swim Club Swimming
Miramar Rangers AFC Football
Upper Hutt Rifle Club Full Bore Target shooting

Pelorus Trust Disabled Athlete of the Year
Kate Horan Athletics
Jayne Parsons Paracycling
Kwame Williams-Accra Athletics

New Zealand Community Trust Volunteer of the Year
Steve Fox and Nick Lourantos International TaeKwon-Do
Alan Greer Rowing
Mike Mitchell Rugby

BDO Wellington Official of the Year
Jamie Cross Football
John Hook Surf Lifesaving
Ian Smith Cricket
Peter Wrigley Athletics

The Angus Inn Administrator of the Year

Alan Isaac Cricket
Nick Mills Basketball
Steve Walters Rugby Sevens

The Radio Sport Fair Play and The Wellington Community Trust Lifetime Contribution to Sport awards will be presented on the evening.

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