Finalists announced for Central Otago Sports Awards

After a record number of nominations from an increasingly diverse range of sports the finalists for the Forsyth Barr Central Otago Sports Awards have been unveiled.

Sport Central sport and recreation advisor Jo Knight says there have been nominations sports including sailing, equestrian games, ice hockey, multi-sport, para-athletics and rowing, and many of the athletes who have been named as finalists are national or world champions, showing the depth of sporting talent in Central Otago.

In the Bike It Now Sportsman of the year award, some big international names line up for the top spot, including rally driver Hayden Paddon, international golfer Ben Campbell, rower Jack Pearson and free ride skier Ben Richards.

Meanwhile the Gary Anderson Sportswoman of the year finalists include alpine ski racer Alice Robinson, multisport champion Simone Maier and equestrian games specialist Caitlyn Henderson. Rounding out the category are snow sports athletes Ruby Star Andrews and Zoi Sadowski-Synott.

Among the finalists in the Health 2000 Junior Sportswoman category are netballer Grace Tiko, barrel racer Sky Sanders, junior world champion snow boarder- Lucia Georgialli, ice hockey representative Polly Bennetts, and Phoebe Laker, who is a national title holder in track events.

"It is exciting to see these kōhine coming from our smaller, rural communities and excelling at national and world championships," Ms Knight says.

Galloway Cook Allan are sponsoring the equally competitive Junior Sportsman category where Youth Olympians Finley Melville Ives, Campbell Melville-Ives and Luke Harrold have been named as finalists, along with New Zealand cricket representative Mason Clarke, from Queenstown, and Alexandra mountain biker, Eddie Adams.

The Findex officials category includes Wānaka rowing stalwart Rob Bruce, long time ski racing official Flick Wallace and international netball umpire and 2023 winner Sasha McLeod.

Central Lakes Trust are supporting the newly introduced Hall of Fame.

"This is to recognise the most iconic of athletes, coaches or administrators whose contribution has been so immense that they have helped shape the culture and environment of the Central Otago sporting landscape."

The Forsyth Barr Central Otago Sports Awards will take place on Friday, May 10 at the Lake Wanaka Centre.

Tickets can be purchased here.

Finalists for the Forsyth Barr Central Otago Sports Awards:

Bike It Now Sportsman of the year:

Gary Anderson Sportswoman of the year:

Gallaway Cook Allan Junior Sportsman of the year:

Health 2000 Junior Sportswoman of the year:

Jennian Homes Team of the year:

Southern Lakes Motors Para Athlete of the year:

Wanaka Physiotherapy Spirit of Central Senior:

Duncan and Kelly Good Ray White Spirit of Central Junior:

Findex Official of the year:

Workplace First Aid Coach of the year:

Main image (Facebook).