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Outstanding performances by Bay of Plenty sports men and women at world championship level have been reflected in the finalists selected for the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic 2011 BOP Sports Awards.
The annual awards organised by Sport Bay of Plenty, recognise outstanding achievement by Bay of Plenty sports men and women, at home and abroad in the last year.
Hockey player Gemma Flynn has been nominated in the Sportswoman of the Year category for the BOP Polytechnic 2011 BOP Sports Awards.
The five-strong judging panel has sorted through almost 150 nominations and each category was hotly-debated at the day-long judging session ahead of the gala awards at the TECT Arena at Baypark, on Friday, November 18.
Sport Bay of Plenty chief executive officer Wayne Werder says this year’s nominations are all top achievers and it is going to be a hard decision for judges.
“The calibre of nominations and the variety of sports never fails to amaze, and it is fantastic what Bay of Plenty athletes, coaches, officials and administrators are achieving on the world stage. I certainly don’t envy the judges who are charged with making the tough decisions and determining who the winners are.”
In contention for the Bayleys’ Sportsman of the Year category are cricketer Kane Williamson, kayaker Sam Sutton, rugby player Luke Braid and Mike Dawson for Canoe Slalom, all of whom have achieved on the international stage in the last 12 months.
Achievements in international events including the Commonwealth Games identified the following King St Sportswoman of the Year category nominations as Gemma Flynn for hockey, Luuka Jones, for canoe slalom, Katie O’Neil in XC Mountain Biking, kayaker Lisa Carrington and Sarah Walker for BMX.
The BOP Secondary School Sports Awards will also be presented on the night with awards going to the top school teams and the recognized Waiariki Institute of Technology secondary school sports man and woman of the year awards.
Tickets for the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic 2011 Bay of Plenty Sports Awards are available by contacting Valda Money at Sport Bay of Plenty on 07 578 0016 or email valdam@sportbop.co.nz.
Complete finalist list follows
OPEN AWARDS
Eastpack International Athlete of the year (New Category)
Richie Stanaway Motorsport
Julian Dean Cycling
Mahe Drysdale Rowing
Benji Marshall Rugby League
Danny Lee Golf
Bayleys Bay of Plenty Sportsman of the Year Luke Braid Rugby
Michael Dawson Canoe Slalom and Extreme Kayaking
Kane Williamson Cricket Sam Sutton Extreme Kayaking
King St Bay of Plenty Sportswoman of the Year Katie ONeill XC Mountain Biking
Lisa Carrington Kayaking
Gemma Flynn Hockey Sarah Walker BMX
Luuka Jones Canoe Slalom
BayTrust Coach of the Year Rob Francis Rowing Evan McRae XC Mounting Biking Gordon Tietjens Rugby Sevens
Duncan by de Ley Rowing
Dominic Sainsbury Golf
The CNS Clinic Open Team of the Year Bayleys Outomoetai Premier Women‟s Hockey Team
Cox Motorsport
Bay of Plenty Gold – Netball
Kirk Pitman and Jason Lochhead – Beach Volleyball
Junior Sportsman of the Year Sam Cane Rugby Carl Axtens Rugby
Landyn Edwards Golf
Oliver Shaw Xterra/Mountain Biking
Peter Burling Sailing
Sam Meech Sailing
