Tough decisions as finalists announced for Hawke’s Bay Sports Awards

Judges of the Hawke’s Bay Awards are in for a tough time deciding who the winners will be amongst the 40 finalists in the 10 awards categories.

Sport Hawke’s Bay commercial manager Ryan Hambleton said “the calibre across all categories was incredibly high with many notable achievements nationally and internationally”.

Last year’s overall Sportsperson of the Year winner Regan Gough faces stiff competition in the junior category from world ranked swimmer Bobbi Gichard, world champion aquathon competitor Eva Goodisson and alpine skier Piera Hudson.

“Hawke’s Bay is punching above its weight when it comes to achieving in sport. The junior category is proof of this with the likes of World Champion Regan Gough up against three high performing athletes in their chosen fields”.

“It won’t be surprising that the winner of this category could end up being favourite for the overall award. The judges are definitely in for a tough time with some robust discussions on eventual winners” said Mr Hambleton.

The awards are to be held at the Pettigrew.Green Arena on May 21, with award newcomers the Hawke’s Bay Hawkeyes Superstock team potentially being the surprise package in the senior team category. The Hawkeyes won the ENZED Teams champs in February. They will be up against the Hawke’s Bay Magpies, who won promotion to the top tier of the Mitre 10 Cup as well as Hawke’s Bay United and Napier City Rovers football teams.

Rio Olympics bound kayaker Aimee Fisher will be hard to beat in the senior sportsperson category. She is up against a previous winner in Israel Dagg, shearer Rowland Smith and sub four-minute miler Eric Speakman.

Havelock North High School’s world title award winning junior orienteering team will be favourites for the junior teams’ title. They are up against Hastings Boys' High School Senior A Basketball, Hastings Boys' High School Senior A Touch and Hawke's Bay Women's Coxless Quad Rowing.

ENDS

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