Supreme Halberg winner Vili humble as ever

2009 Halberg Awards Night

1 of 5

PETER MEECHAM Zoom

WINNING LADIES: The Evers-Swindell twins, Georgina Earl (left) and Caroline Meyer (right) share a laugh with supreme Halberg Award winner Valerie Vili.

Relevant offers

LATEST: Valerie Vili was her typical humble self as she cleaned up another Halbergs Awards ceremony in Auckland on Thursday night.

The world champion shot-putter claimed her fourth sportswoman of the year title and then picked up her third supreme award.

The 25-year-old took it in her stride but seemed more in awe of some of the legends of New Zealand sport assembled around her at a glitzy evening at Sky City Convention Centre where the Westpac Halberg Awards were staged.

"Am I going to be part of history?" Vili asked the large black-tie crowd. "I don't know, you will have to ask my grandkids that."

But she has certainly made her mark on New Zealand's rick sporting landscape now.

She equalled boardsailor Barbara Kendall's record for women's titles and her supreme Halberg meant she became the second person behind champion oarsman Rob Waddell to complete a hat-trick of Halberg Awards (2007, 08 & 09), and the first female to capture the big trophy - first won by cricketer Bert Sutcliffe back in 1949 - three times.

"I feel so privileged and honoured and humbled," she said of her rare hat-trick.

Sportsman of the year Mahe Drysdale revealed he had considered giving 2009 a miss after his Olympics disappointment.

"This was a year when I wasn't going to be rowing so it's a bit of a bonus," Drysdale said, then placing some praise on his rowing bosses.

"I think we have the best sports organisation in the country and I say that with sincerity."

Drysdale said that was reflected in rowing's success at the Halberg Awards with Richard Tonks gaining another coaching of the year title and world champion men's pair of Eric Murray and Hamish Bond winning the team of the year award. Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell were crowned champions of the decade to gap off a night of glory for their sport.

Drysdale said Tonks' contribution in that stunning success couldn't be underestimated.

Bond put some perspective on the difficulties facing the judges after he and Murray had headed off a classy field in the teams event that included the peoples' champions the All Whites.

"I don't envy the judges separating the fruit bowl ... picking the apples from the oranges. It's an impossible task and I wouldn't want to be one of the judges."

2009 Westpac Halberg Awards

Sportsman:  Mahe Drysdale (rowing). Finalists: Scott Dixon (motor sport), Duncan Grant (rowing), Richie McCaw (rugby), Daniel Vettori (cricket)

Sportswoman: Valerie Vili (athletics). Finalists: Sophie Pascoe (swimming), Alison Shanks (cycling), Sarah Walker (BMX)

Sports team: Men's pair (rowing). Finalists: All Whites (soccer),  men's lightweight double scull (rowing), women's 420 (yachting)

Coach: Richard Tonks (rowing). Finalists: Tim Carswell (cycling), Kirsten Hellier (athletics), Ricki Herbert (soccer).

Emerging Talent Award: Sam Webster (cycling). Finalists: Aaron Cruden (rugby), Sam Meech (sailing), Robbie Manson (rowing).

Champion of the Decade: Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell (rowing). Finalists: Rob Waddell (2000), Tall Blacks (2002), Silver Ferns (2003), Sarah Ulmer (2004), Michael Campbell (2005), Mahe Drysdale (2006), Valerie Vili (2007, 08 & 09)

- © Fairfax NZ News