Updated 25/10 with date change: The outstanding sporting performances of Bay of Plenty athletes on the world stage have been reflected in the finalists selected for the 2016 Bay of Plenty Sports Awards.

The annual awards salute the outstanding achievement by Bay sportspeople at home and abroad over the past twelve months and will be taking place at Baypark ASB Arena on November 18.

Sport BOP Sport Manager and judging convenor Megan Cleverley says the calibre of nominations never fails to amaze her.

'It is fantastic what Bay of Plenty athletes, coaches, officials and administrators are achieving. This year has highlighted the number of athletes performing on the international stage, and in particular the wide variety of sports and schools doing well.

'This makes the judging job even more difficult but I guess it's a good problem to have.”

There are 16 awards in total up for grabs this year and includes International Sportsperson of the Year, the Sportsman and Sportswoman, Official and Club of the Year, plus a range of community and volunteer awards. plus the hotly contested Supreme Award.

The Bay of Plenty Secondary School Sports Awards will also be presented on the night and will recognise secondary school students who have achieved nationally or internationally.

As illustrated at the recent Olympic Games, the Bay has a depth of sporting talent and the sports awards are a wonderful opportunity to recognise this, says Sport BOP chief executive Heidi Lichtwark.

'It is a privilege to be able to honour our top athletes, officials and coaches again in 2016. We look forward to following their continuing achievements in the future, while also celebrating their contributions to date.

'We are proud to continue to host the Bay of Plenty Sports Awards, which have been celebrating sporting excellence since 1969.”

Once again, the People's Choice poll is in play this year and will give members of the public an opportunity to vote for their favourite junior Bay athlete and runs from October 25 to November 8.

All votes go into the draw to win an Apple iPad Pro 32GB and the winner will be announced on the Sport BOP Facebook page following the awards.

The 2016 Bay of Plenty Sports Awards takes place at Baypark ASB Arena on November 18. Tickets cost $90 for Adults, $45 for Secondary School Students, and are available online at www.eventfinda.co.nz

THE 2016 BAY OF PLENTY SPORTS AWARDS FINALISTS:

International Sportsperson of the Year:

• Steven Adams - Basketball
• Valerie Adams - Athletics
• Mahe Drysdale - Rowing
• Jason Lochhead - Beach Volleyball
• Danny Lee - Golf

Sportswoman of the Year:

• Lisa Carrington - Kayaking
• Molly Meech - Sailing
• Luuka Jones - Canoe Slalom
• Natalie Peat - Surf Lifesaving

Sportsman of the Year:

• Peter Burling - Sailing
• Sam Meech - Sailing
• Kane Williamson - Cricket
• Sam Cane - Rugby

Coach of the Year:

• Graeme Aldridge - Cricket
• Paul Roozendaal - Waka Ama
• Sean Horan - Rugby Sevens
• Sir Gordon Tietjens - Rugby Sevens
• Jay Carter - Golf
• Julieta Diaz - Synchronised Swimming

Official of the Year:

• Kelly Hudson - Hockey
• Ross Merrett - Surf Life Saving
• Glen Jackson - Rugby
• Nick Briant - Rugby

Team of the Year:

• New Zealand Men's Whitewater Rafting Team - Whitewater Rafting
• Bay of Plenty Senior Men's Cricket Team - Cricket
• Rangataua Men's Rugby Team - Rugby
• Volleyball Tauranga Women's A Team - Volleyball
• Mauao Warriors Men's Volleyball Team - Volleyball

Junior Team of the Year:

• Bay of Plenty U18 Boys' Hockey Team - Hockey
• Eva Morris & Jazzlee Thomas - Synchronised Swimming
• Bay of Plenty U17 Women's Volleyball Team - Indoor Volleyball
• Bay of Plenty U19 Men's Volleyball Team - Indoor Volleyball

Sportsman of the Year:

• Callum Gilbert - Canoe Slalom
• Ashley Roozendaal - Waka Ama
• Ben Cochrane - Surf Life Saving
• Isaac Te Aute - Rugby Sevens

Junior Sportswoman of the Year:

• Amy Robinson - Hockey & Athletics
• Frances Davies - Hockey
• Sam Morrison - Equestrian

Club of the Year:

• Bowls Mount Maunganui - Bowls
• Papamoa Football Club - Football
• Te Puna Rugby Club - Rugby
• Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service - Surf Life Saving
• Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club - Sailing & Power Boat
• Swim Rotorua - Swimming

Secondary School Sportswoman of the Year:

• Jazzlee Thomas (Bethlehem College) - Synchronised Swimming
• Hannah van der Horst (Whakatane High School) - Equestrian
• Elin Tawharu (Mount Maunganui College) – Surfing
• Brooklyn Storey (Tauranga Girls' College) - Taekwondo
• Frances Lloyd (Tauranga Girls' College) - Taekwondo
• Libby Bradley (Katikati College) - Surf Life Saving

Secondary School Sportsman of the Year:

• Callum Aitken (Tauranga Boys' College) - Canoe Slalom
• Hamish Miller (Bethlehem College) - Surf Life Saving, Triathlon & Aquathon
• Lenny Jenkins (Whakatane High School) - Rowing
• Hayze Perham (Rotorua Boys' High School) - Rugby
• Ryan Crapp (Katikati College) - Clay Target Shooting
• Tristan Haycock (Tauranga Boys' College) - Mountain Biking

Secondary School Coach of the Year:

• Raewyn Morgan (Trident High School) - Underwater Hockey
• Graham Watt (Whakatane High School) - Rowing
• Rene Otto (Edgecumbe College) - Athletics
• Jeff Robb and Leo Scott (Tauranga Girls' College) - Rugby & Rugby 7s
• Anton Williams (Tauranga Boys' College) - Underwater Hockey

Secondary School Boys Team of the Year:

• Western Heights High School Beach Volleyball Team
• Whakatane High School Boys' Rowing Team
• Tauranga Boys' College Canoe Slalom Team
• Rotorua Boys' High School Waka Ama Team

Secondary School Girls Team of the Year:

• Trident High School Senior Girls' Underwater Hockey Team
• Tauranga Girls' College Senior A Girls Volleyball Team
• Tauranga Girls' College Rowing Team
• Rotorua Girls' High School Premier 1 Netball Team

Student Contribution to Sport

• George Haswell (Mount Maunganui College) - Touch Rugby & Rugby Union
• Angel Haeata-Burrows (Tauranga Girls' College) - Netball & Volleyball
• Quinn McKay (Reporoa College) - Basketball
• Rilee Rehu (Rotorua Girls' High School) - Basketball
• Hugh Lees (Bethlehem College) - Hockey