Awards Finalists Showcase Diversity and Determination
The 2011 Sir Richard Hadlee Sport Canterbury Awards will showcase achievement over adversity – with 18 of 27 regional sports represented in the finalists list, announced today.
Sir Richard Hadlee, Tom Doocey and John Campbell sign the memorandum creating Canterbury's new sports awards event
“In a year that will be remembered for natural challenges, from earthquakes to snowstorms, Canterbury athletes continue to surprise New Zealand with their resilience and winning spirit,” says Sport Canterbury CEO Geoff Barry.
Canterbury sports clubs were represented with a surprisingly high number of nominees, given the particular challenges to grass roots sport in retaining membership and sustaining growth over the past 12 months.
Today’s announcement leads up to the 4 November Awards event, next Friday evening at Canterbury CBS Arena.
The finalists have been selected from 130 nominations representing 27 sporting codes across the region, presenting judges with an unenviable task, given the calibre of contenders.
The Finalists for the 2011 Sir Richard Hadlee Sport Canterbury Awards are:
Sportsman of the Year
- Bradley Shaw – Hockey
- Chris Forne – Orienteering
- Richie McCaw – Rugby Union
Sportswoman of the Year
- Sophie Devine – Hockey
- Jo Edwards – Lawn Bowls
- Eve Macfarlane – Rowing
- Andrea Hewitt – Triathlon
Young Sportsman of the Year
- Anton Cooper – Bike
- Matt Henry – Cricket
- Paul Coll – Squash
Young Sportswoman of the Year
- Tahlia Hansen – Bike
- Grace Spoors – Rowing
- Megan Craig – Squash
- Sophia Batchelor – Swimming
Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability
- Holly Robinson – Athletics
- Rueben Buzzard – Rugby Union
- Scott Martlew – Surf Life Saving
- Sophie Pascoe – Swimming
Team of the Year
- Canterbury Wizards – Cricket
- Canterbury A Team – Netball
- Crusaders – Rugby Union
- Canterbury Red Sox – Softball
Junior Team
- Christchurch Girls High School 1st XI – Cricket
- St. Bedes 1st XV – Rugby Union
- Christchurch Boys High School Squash Team – Squash
- Aranui High School Senior Girls Volleyball Team – Volleyball
Coach of the Year
- Gary Hay – Rowing
- Rob Penney/Tabai Matson – Rugby Union
- Leanne Speechley – Swimming
Official of the Year
- Trevor Spittle – Athletics
- Markus Molly – Rowing
- Lesley Huckins – Swimming
- Tony Glentworth – Tennis
Administrator of the Year
- Richard Hayward – Cricket
- Colin Grant – Football
- John Wylie – Rowing
- Hamish Riach – Rugby Union
2011 Sir Richard Hadlee Sport Canterbury Awards Club Finalist – Christchurch School of Gymnastics – Gymsports
Club of the Year
- East Christchurch Shirley Cricket Club – Cricket
- FC 2011 – Football
- Russley Golf Club – Golf
- Christchurch School of Gymnastics – Gymsports
Contribution to Sport
- Steve McArthur – Cricket
- Craig Rhodes – Football
- Paul Carpinter – Ice Speed Skating
- Craig Todd – Surf Life Saving
From the 2011 Finalists, the judges have also chosen an overall winner, who will take the title of the Sir Richard Hadlee Sports Trust Supreme Sportsperson of the Year.
The Awards will also see the induction of two more Sporting Legends of Canterbury. These inductions present a unique opportunity to recognise exceptional Canterbury sportspeople who have not only excelled in sport, but who also exemplify the qualities in which Cantabrians take pride.
The Sir Richard Hadlee Sports Trust and Sport Canterbury have honoured the achievements of local athletes and sporting legends for many generations.
In 2011, these organisations have teamed up to create a unique event that gives the community a chance to celebrate sporting success – from the grass roots to elite levels of performance.
About the Sir Richard Hadlee Sports Trust
The Sir Richard Hadlee Sports Trust, a non-profit charitable Trust, was established by Sir Richard Hadlee in 1990, immediately after his retirement from a professional cricketing career. The primary focus of the SRHST is to endeavour to support young Cantabrians under 25, in hardship or need, to provide an opportunity to fulfil their cultural and sporting goals. To assist with funding, the SRHST established and has run since 1991, Canterbury’s most prestigious sporting awards/dinner Event, “The Canterbury Sportsperson of The Year Awards.”
About Sport Canterbury
Sport Canterbury engages over 100,000 people each year in programmes designed to share the benefits of an active, sporting lifestyle. As New Zealand’s leading regional sports trust, Sport Canterbury employs dedicated, experienced staff who are passionate about supporting teachers and parents, athletes and administrators, to enrich sporting opportunities for future generations. It’s about improving access for the wider community and simply seeing “more people, more active, more often.”
Follow us on facebook @ Keep Sport Alive in Canterbury
About the Author
Living in this special part of the South Island, I'm one of many people fortunate enough to enjoy the sporting opportunities that go along with our alps to ocean environment. Whether surf, cycling or team sports, there are so many ways to make the most of living in Canterbury. I look forward to helping you connect with local events, community programmes and the team at Sport Canterbury, who are passionate about seeing "more people, more active, more often."
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