Media Release
16 May 2014
Finalists announced for The Dominion Post Wellington
Sportsperson of the Year Awards 2014
Sport Wellington has announced the finalists for The Dominion Post Wellington Sportsperson of the Year Awards 2014. Six
external and independent judges deliberated over 200 nominations from 26 different sports to compile the list of 46
finalists. Every district in the region was represented through the nominations submitted.
Finalists have been announced in 11 categories covering Sportspersons, Coaches, Officials, Administrators, Clubs and
Teams. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony held Thursday 12 June at TSB Banks Arena. From these category
winners will come the supreme winner; The Dominion Post Wellington Sportsperson of the Year 2014. Past winners of the
supreme award include Peter Taylor, Conrad Smith and Ricki Hebert.
One winner has also been selected as to receive the Lifetime Contribution to Sport award. The winner of this award will
be revealed at the awards ceremony. As well as the categories named, the Personality of the Year award will be put to a
public vote with finalists announced in The Dominion Post for this category in late May.
Amongst the finalists, Rugby, Cricket, Swimming, Basketball, Hockey and Athletics feature repeatedly with a few less
renowned sports making an appearance such as Equestrian, Shooting and Barefoot Water-skiing.
Sport Wellington Chief Executive Phil Gibbons said “this has been yet another great year for the number of nominations
received. The quality of the nominees and their level of achievement are outstanding. The judges had a very difficult
task in separating the finalists in each category. The range of sports recognised really highlights the diversity of
Wellingtons sporting landscape with 20 different sports recognised within the finalists alone. Every corner of our
region is recognised and we can all be justifiably proud of the finalists announced today.”
Sport Wellington has also announced New Zealand television broadcaster and TVNZ Sports Icon Geoff Bryan as the host for
the evening. Growing up in Wellington, Bryan has worked as a presenter across several local media channels. Bryan has
covered five Commonwealth Games, numerous Rugby, Cricket and Football World Cups and a wide variety of other sports at
top level.
Established in 1969, the awards ceremony is attended by many of Wellingtons top sporting achievers and is now recognised
as the most prestigious event on Wellingtons sporting calendar. The Awards dinner will also include the 2014 induction
of the Sports Legends of Wellington. Once inducted the Legends will have plaques unveiled in their honour at the ASB
Sports Centre in Kilbirnie on the morning after the awards.
Tickets for the awards can be purchased through Sport Wellington by phoning (04) 380 0228 or email
julief@sportwellington.org.nz, or visit www.wellingtonsportsawards.co.nz.
MEDIA RELEASE ENDS
strong>Finalists by category are:
Steinlager Sportsman of the YearConrad SmithRugbySteven AdamsBasketballJames HunterRowingStephen JennessHockey
Wither Hills Sportswoman of the Year
Mary FisherPara SwimmingAnita PuntHockeyGeorgia GroenBarefoot WaterskiingSamantha LeeSwimming & Surf lifesaving
Hiremaster Team of the YearWellington 7’sRugbyHutt Valley/Porirua FlyersBasketballWellington FirebirdsCricketCanSurvive DragonboatingDragonboating
Gibson Sheat Lawyers Coach of the YearGary HurringSwimmingJamie SiddonsCricketScott WaldromRugbyChris BoydRugby
Wellington City Council Emerging Sportsman of the YearKurtis ImrieSurf Life SavingJoseph Baker-ThomasAFLBen WalshSwimmingIzayah Mauriohooho Le’afaBasketball
Wellington City Council Emerging Sportswoman of the YearWhitney SounessNetball Julianne AlvarezGolfJackie KiddleRowingJacinta BeckleyBasketball
PAK'nSAVE Kilbirnie Club of the YearPetone Rowing ClubRowingWellington Scottish Athletics ClubAthleticsHutt Valley Gym SportsGym SportsGreytown Junior Football ClubFootball
Pelorus Trust Disabled Athlete of the YearKate HoranPara CyclingMary FisherPara SwimmingGreg ReidShootingSantana ChapmanPara Swimming
New Zealand Community Trust Volunteer of the YearSimon RoseingraveCricketLyn MacIntyreEquestrianMark HarrisAthleticsGeoff HenryAthletics and Cross Country
BDO Official of the YearMike FraserRugbyKathy CrossCricketJim McIlroyAthletics
Pub Charity Administrator of the YearMatt WoodOcean SportsMark BergeSwimmingLouise Evans -McDonaldAthleticsJo MurrayAthletics
Super Colour Personality of the Year*
*The Super Colour Personality of the Year is decided by a people’s choice promotion run through The Dominion Post.