2017 Hutt Valley Sports Awards finalists announced
Two finalists with Olympic medals – Nick Willis and Mary Fisher - are amongst the Hutt Valley Sports Awards finalists.
Fisher won gold at the Rio Paralympics by setting a world record in the backstroke S11.
The Upper Hutt swimmer has an impressive record setting numerous world records and must be in contention for the supreme award.
She is a finalist in the sportswoman and disabled categories, and is not the only Upper swimmer in the finals with Chelsey Edwards featuring in the young sportswoman.
Willis, who lives in the United States but still, considers himself a Lower Hutt lad, won bronze in the glamour 1500m. In doing so he became the oldest runner to medal in an event that is considered one of the toughest in athletics.
He added to his already impressive record, which includes two Olympic and three Commonwealth Games medals.
Convener of judges Derek Wilshere said having two such high quality athletes as finalists, reflects the quality of the finalists.
There were more than 100 nominations with good representation from both Upper and Lower Hutt. The toughest category was Junior Woman, where the finalists are Edwards, Junior White Sox captain Pallas Potter and promising runner Phoebe McKnight.
Wilshere said that the Hutt Valley has always been a breeding ground for sport and the judges agonised over the junior categories.
The youngest finalist is 13-year-old Finlay Seeds from Upper Hutt, who excelled in the 800m and 1500m, as well as cross country and road racing.
Notable finalists include Petone Rugby father and son, Mike and Rory Woollett, and last year’s Overall Winner cricket umpire Kathy Cross.
As always softball, cricket and rugby are well represented with four finalists.
The overall winner will be announced at the awards dinner on Thursday May 18.
Finalists:
Sportswoman: Julianne Alvarez, Mary Fisher, Kat Whata-Simpkin
Sportsman: Nik Hayes, Nick Willis, Blake Signal;
Team: Eastbourne Bowling Club men’s four, Petone Rowing Club women’s squad, Hutt Valley Women’s Under 19 Softball Team.
Coach: Alex Dickinson, Shaka Sola, Kiri Shaw
Administrator: Sonya Hanita, Michael Woollett, Fran Scholey
Young Sportsman: Asafo Auma, Finlay Seeds, Ethan Moore
Young Sportswoman: Chelsey Edwards, Emma Main, Phoebe McKnight
Young Volunteer: Stephanie Hoare, Tom Walsh, Rory Woollett
Disabled / Special: Mary Fisher, Rebecca Heath, Thomas Loftus
Official: Joanne Hyde, Carlie-Ann Rua, Kathy Cross
Contact:
Derek Wilshere, Secretary/Convener Judging Panel Hutt Valley Sports Awards,
0274 303596, [email protected]
Fisher won gold at the Rio Paralympics by setting a world record in the backstroke S11.
The Upper Hutt swimmer has an impressive record setting numerous world records and must be in contention for the supreme award.
She is a finalist in the sportswoman and disabled categories, and is not the only Upper swimmer in the finals with Chelsey Edwards featuring in the young sportswoman.
Willis, who lives in the United States but still, considers himself a Lower Hutt lad, won bronze in the glamour 1500m. In doing so he became the oldest runner to medal in an event that is considered one of the toughest in athletics.
He added to his already impressive record, which includes two Olympic and three Commonwealth Games medals.
Convener of judges Derek Wilshere said having two such high quality athletes as finalists, reflects the quality of the finalists.
There were more than 100 nominations with good representation from both Upper and Lower Hutt. The toughest category was Junior Woman, where the finalists are Edwards, Junior White Sox captain Pallas Potter and promising runner Phoebe McKnight.
Wilshere said that the Hutt Valley has always been a breeding ground for sport and the judges agonised over the junior categories.
The youngest finalist is 13-year-old Finlay Seeds from Upper Hutt, who excelled in the 800m and 1500m, as well as cross country and road racing.
Notable finalists include Petone Rugby father and son, Mike and Rory Woollett, and last year’s Overall Winner cricket umpire Kathy Cross.
As always softball, cricket and rugby are well represented with four finalists.
The overall winner will be announced at the awards dinner on Thursday May 18.
Finalists:
Sportswoman: Julianne Alvarez, Mary Fisher, Kat Whata-Simpkin
Sportsman: Nik Hayes, Nick Willis, Blake Signal;
Team: Eastbourne Bowling Club men’s four, Petone Rowing Club women’s squad, Hutt Valley Women’s Under 19 Softball Team.
Coach: Alex Dickinson, Shaka Sola, Kiri Shaw
Administrator: Sonya Hanita, Michael Woollett, Fran Scholey
Young Sportsman: Asafo Auma, Finlay Seeds, Ethan Moore
Young Sportswoman: Chelsey Edwards, Emma Main, Phoebe McKnight
Young Volunteer: Stephanie Hoare, Tom Walsh, Rory Woollett
Disabled / Special: Mary Fisher, Rebecca Heath, Thomas Loftus
Official: Joanne Hyde, Carlie-Ann Rua, Kathy Cross
Contact:
Derek Wilshere, Secretary/Convener Judging Panel Hutt Valley Sports Awards,
0274 303596, [email protected]