Grant Elliott and Mary Fisher big winners

Grant Elliott and Mary Fisher big winners at the 2015 Sport Wellington Sportsperson of the Year Awards

Grant Elliott and Mary Fisher were the big winners at this year’s annual Sport Wellington Sportsperson of the Year Awards.

At a star studded gala event at the TSB Bank Arena, in front of 590 people, 47 finalists were celebrated for their achievements, dedication and commitment across all levels of sport, from community based sport through to that of the highest level.

Elliott took out the Steinlager Sportsman of the Year award along with the supreme Wellington City Council Sportsperson of the Year award, following an outstanding season with the Wellington Firebirds and the NZ World Cup Cricket team.

Mary Fisher was awarded the Pelorus Trust Disabled Sportsperson of the Year award for the third year running, along with the Wither Hills Sportswoman of the Year award for the second consecutive year. This achievement was off the back of another outstanding year for Fisher, with multiple successes on both the national and international stage.

Other notable winners on the evening included the CanSurvive Dragon Boat Team who were named the Hiremaster Team of the Year, over the Wellington Firebirds and Wellington Saints. Wellington Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick was honoured for his role in getting the team to the top of the A-League table and took out the Gibson Sheat Lawyers Coach of the Year award.

Golf was prominent in the emerging sector with Lower Hutt teens Julianne Alvarez and Daniel Hiller crowned Wellington City Council Emerging Sportswoman and Emerging Sportsman of the Year. Both having represented New Zealand internationally, with Alvarez now ranked the number one female golfer in New Zealand.

Conrad Smith was named The Dominion Post Personality of the Year after being a clear winner through the ‘people’s choice’ promotion run through The Dominion Post.

Sport Wellington CEO, Phil Gibbons, opened the ceremony with thanks to supporters of the sport and recreation sector, and discussed the many sporting achievements seen in the region. “The past 12 months have been an exceptional time for sport in the greater Wellington region. This is highlighted by the quality of finalists we have here tonight.”

“Many of our prominent teams put on outstanding displays in their respective fields while individual athletes have made our region and country proud on the national and international stage. Hundreds of coaches, officials and administrators, almost all of whom are volunteers, have worked tirelessly to deliver our sports and support our athletes. Everyone involved in the sport sector can be justifiably proud of what has been achieved,” Gibbons added.

Another highlight for the evening was the induction of four new Sport Legends of Wellington. Once again, Keith Quinn, the quintessential Wellingtonian, inducted John Durry (golf), Barry Sinclair (cricket), Maureen Jacobson (football), and Murray Mexted (rugby union).

ENDS

© Scoop Media