More than 60 nominations have been received for the annual Sport Tasman Sport + Recreation Awards later this month.
Almost half of them are in the Emerging Talent section which invariably proves a tough contest for the judges to decide.
Two of the leading contenders have already taken up university sporting scholarships in the United States.
Basketball star Hayden Jones, who won the award last year, is in Wisconsin while outstanding swimmer William Seymour has relocated to San Diego.
That category is for under 21-year-olds with performances considered until the end of August.
The 2024 sportswoman and supreme sports award winner Risi Pouri-Lane has enjoyed another big year.
The Paris Olympics gold medallist led the Black Ferns to win the World Rugby Sevens Series and then moved across to play halfback for the Black Ferns 15-aside team which finished third at the Rugby World Cup.
Risi’s major competition could come from former All Black David Havili who captained the Crusaders to claim the Super Rugby title.
Fifteen sports are represented across the eight categories:
-Golden Edge Sportsman of the Year
-Bowater Toyota Sportswoman of the Year
-Rutherford Hotel Coach of the Year
-Athlete with a disability of the Year
-CNX & Johnston Associates Emerging Talent Awards
-Tasman Pine Forests Junior Sports -Team of the Year Awards
-New World Stoke Masters Athlete of the Year
-TSM Sports Team of the Year
Three community awards will also be presented:
-NZCT Diversity and Inclusion Award
-Community Impact Award
-Tony Thomas Lifetime Contribution to Sport Award
The Sport Tasman awards function will take place at the Rutherford Hotel on Friday, 28 November with former Nelson broadcaster Jason Pine returning as the MC. Sky Television sports presenter Taylor Curtis, who has a Waimea rugby background, will be the keynote speaker.
