Record number of nominees for 2010 Infracon Tararua Sportsperson of the Year

Nominees for the 2010 Infracon Tararua Sportsperson of the Year Awards have been announced, with five local faces in the running to become this year’s supreme winner, and an incredible 43 nominees up for awards across the six categories.

Ashleigh Ahipene (Muay Thai Kickboxing), Adam Reeves (Off-road Cross Country Motorcycling), Cameron Percy (Hockey), Paul Whibley (Off-road Cross Country Motorcycling) and Rebecca Mahoney (Rugby) will fight it out to be named the Sportsperson of the Year, while a strong year for junior sports in the region means 31 nominees are up for the Junior Sportsperson of the Year title.

The winners of the six categories (Sportsperson of the Year, Junior Sportsperson of the Year, Sports Team of the Year, Sports Coach of the Year, Volunteer/Administrator of the Year and Official of the Year) will be named at an awards ceremony held on Friday, May 21 at the Eketahuna Community Centre.

Guest speaker at the event will be New Zealand rugby league legend Ruben Wiki. Wiki played over 300 games in the NRL in a career spanning 15 years, and became the first person to play 50 times for his country in 2005. He currently holds the record for the most tests played by any rugby league footballer in the world.

Tickets for the awards, which include a buffet dinner, speaker, and entertainment, are on sale now and are available from all Tararua District Council offices for $40.

The Infracon Sportsperson of the Year Awards have been run by Sport Manawatu for the past 11 years. The awards recognise the achievements of athletes, coaches, officials and administrators and encompass all sport, ranging from the local sporting hero to the elite professional in the Tararua region.

For more information or ticket sales contact Sport Manawatu, Tararua office, on (06) 374 4136 or visit sportmanawatu.org.nz.

Please see below for a full list of nominees.

Infracon Tararua Sportsperson of the Year:

Nominees: Ashleigh Ahipene (Muay Thai Kickboxing), Adam Reeves (Off-road Cross Country Motorcycling), Cameron Percy (Hockey), Paul Whibley (Off-road Cross Country Motorcycling), Rebecca Mahoney (Rugby).

Tararua district council Junior Sportsperson of the Year

Nominees: Jaden Martin (Muaythai Kickboxing), Scott Sowry (Motorcross), Jenna Buchanan (Swimming), Rhys Harold (Golf), George Hewitt (Athletics), Melissa Te Huki (Netball/Basketball), Ben McLean (Golf), Wharemako Paewai (Rugby), Quaid Mihaere-Turipa (Rugby League/Rugby), Richard Harris (Rugby League), Gene Ropohama (Rugby League), Tama Petera (Rugby League), Mason Kennedy (Rugby League), Brodie Rigby (Rugby League), Niko Rigby (Rugby League), Cameron Ratima (Rugby League), Raniera Rautahi (Rugby League), Lewis Saunders (Rugby League), Teysha Deal (Swimming), Alyse Jensen (Athletics/Running), Rebekah O’Hagan (Athletics), Hemi Whatuira (Rugby), Kathryn Pound (Swimming), Jackson Clince (Rugby), Simon McCool (Hockey/Running), Saxton Kennedy (Rugby League), Hendrix Barttlet (Rugby League), Ben Harris (Rugby League), Te Turanga Reweti (Rugby League), Caleb Karena (Rugby League), Carlos Tuhua (Rugby League).

Property brokers Team of the Year

Nominees: Eketahuna Women’s Rugby Team (Rugby), Dannevirke Sports Club Netball 1 Premiere (Netball), Dannevirke Tigers Rugby League U16 (Rugby League).

tui brewery Coach of the Year

Nominees: Shaymus Edwards (Rugby League).

Tui Brewery Official of the Year

Uncontested

hawkes bay today Volunteer/ Administrator of the Year

Nominees: Marama Paewai-Kingi (Aotea Sports Club), David Harman (Harriers), Kevin Laskey (Cycling).