Previous years have seen many well known New Zealand sports stars take out various categories at the Wellington Sportsperson of the Year Awards. Michael Campbell (Golf), Tana Umaga (Rugby), George Bridgewater (Rowing), Melissa Moon (Mountain Running) and Irene Van Dyk (Netball) to name but a few. Below is a list of the 2009 Winners and Finalists for each of the categories.
Sportsperson of the Year
2009 Winner - Nick Willis (Athletics)
Nick Willis has had a year in sport which will be remembered for a very long time to come. His medal in the 1500m (3.34.16) at the Beijing Olympics puts Willis in the history books with some of New Zealands best ever Olympic track athletes; Lovelock, Snell, Davies, Dixon, Quax and Walker. Nick's success at Beijing was followed up in September by victory at the 5th Avenue Mile in New York with a time of 3.50.5. Most New Zealanders could be forgiven for thinking that the glory days of New Zealand track were will and truly over, but that's certainly not the case with Nick around. In the words of Fairfax Media "This is a skinny white kid from the Lower Hutt showing he can mix it with the Africans".
Sportsman of the Year 2009 Winner - Nick Willis (Athletics)
2009 Finalists - Karl Purdie (Sailing OK Dingy), Jesse Ryder (Cricket), Jonathan Wyatt (Athletics)
Sportswoman of the Year 2009 Winner -
Paula Tesoriero (Cycling) 2009 Finalists - Stephanie Anderson (Duathlon), Lucy Doolan (Cricket), Marissa Pritchard (Athletics)
Team of the Year 2009 Winner -
Vodafone Wellington Lions (Rugby) 2009 Finalists - Hutt Valley Women's National League Team (Softball), RPNYC University fours team (Yachting)
Coach of the Year 2009 Winner - Stephen Kearney (Rugby League) 2009 Finalists - Greg Fraine (Triathlon), Jamie Joseph (Rugby Union) Emerging Sportsperson of the Year 2009 Winner - Gareth Kean (Swimming)
2009 Finalists - Josh Junior (Yachting), Sika Manu (Rugby League), Martin van Barneveld (Triathlon)
Personality of the Year 2009 Winner - Conrad Smith (Rugby Union)
2009 Finalists - Brendon Pongia (Basket Ball/Ironman), Murray Mexted (Rugby Commentator), Kate McIlroy (Triathlon)
Club Team of the Year 2009 Winner - Te Aroha Womens Premier Softball Team (Softball)
2009 Finalists - Capital Swim Club (Swimming), Upper Hutt Rifle Club Gold Team (Rifle Shooting)
Sport Volunteer of the Year 2009 Winner - Teri Anderson (Surf Lifesaving)
2009 Finalists - Geoff Henry (Athletics), Phil Keinzley (Football)
Athlete with a Disability 2009 Winner - Paula Tesoriero (Cycling) 2009 Finalists - Kate Horan (Athletics), Jayne Parsons (Cycling Tandem), Lydia Redpath (Golf)
Fair Play Award 2009 Winners - Cameron Turchie, Temuera Forbes, Sadwyn Brophy (Surf Lifesaving)
Official of the Year 2009 Winner - Wiremu Tamaki (Softball) 2009 Finalists - Chris Pollock (Rugby Union), Peter Wrigley (Athletics)
Administrator of the Year 2009 Winner - Richard and Ali Middleton (Sailing)
2009 Finalists - Shaun Gill (Basketball), Phil Sisson (Cricket)
Lifetime Contribution to Sport 2009 Winner - William (Bill) Matson (Swimming)
PAST WINNERS OF THE SUPREME AWARD SPORTS
PERSON OF THE YEAR
