Stellar line-up for awards

Black Caps skipper Daniel Vettori, Silver Ferns captain Casey Williams and All Black fullback Mils Muliaina head the list of finalists for the 2009 Perry Foundation Waikato Regional Sports Awards.

Vettori and Muliaina are the leading contenders to win the Sportsman of the Year award at the gala dinner ceremony on December 10 at the Mystery Creek Events Centre.

Up against them is rower Eric Murray, boxer Daniel McKinnon, surfer Luke Hughes and Waikato Pistons basketballer Thomas Abercrombie.

After another stellar netball season, Williams is in line to secure the Sportswoman of the Year title for the second year running. Clarissa Eshuis (hockey), Emma Feathery (rowing), Sarah Jarvis (skiing), Miriam Jenkins (athletics) and Rebecca Scown (rowing) are the others in contention.

Finalists have been selected from the winners of eight district sports awards held over the last fortnight, as well as nominations for Hamilton sportspeople.

Sport Waikato chief executive Matthew Cooper said narrowing down the field had been a huge challenge.

"The Waikato is home to an impressive array of sporting talent and we've had some fantastic results this year," Cooper said.

"The Chiefs went all the way to the finals, the Pistons took out the NBL again and we've got individual stars winning world championships in rowing and cycling. I don't envy our judges at all.

Along with the Chiefs efforts in rugby's Super 14 and basketball's Pistons' success, cricket's Northern Knights, Waikato's Air New Zealand Cup rugby team, the Waikato senior women's squash team and the Waikato open women's touch team are all finalists for the team award.

Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken is a leading contender for Coach of the Year, and All Whites striker Chris Wood is a likely candidate for the Junior Sportsman of the Year.

Morrinsville Sports' outstanding effort in club rugby this season will see them frontrunners for the club titles.

Tickets to attend the dinner are available from Sport Waikato's Brian Perry Sports House, costing $70.

- © Fairfax NZ News