Big contest for top 2 awards

Judges charged which determining just which athletes and sports associations receive the top honours at this year’s national sports awards have had a tough time making their decisions.

There is a high calibre list of nominees for this year’s main awards with all sports codes recognising the achievements of their athletes over the 2009 sporting year.

But by Tuesday May 25 – the judges would have made their decisions on just who our top athletes are.

Nine male athletes have been nominated for the coveted sportsman of the year which judges will cull back to a short list before making their decision.

The athletes in the running for sportsman of the year are: Kirk Tuaiti (golf), Daniel Tutai (athletics), Mau George (Aitutaki league), Bruce Goldsworthy (rugby union), Junior Charlie (sailing), Conrad Piri (touch rugby and rugby league), David Akaruru (lawn bowls), Reuben Dearlove (oe vaka) and Toara Teinaki (cricket).

In the running for the sportswoman of the year are eight athletes: Elmay Viking (golf), Kairangi Vano (tennis), Helema Williams (sailing), Kelly Pick (triathlon), Kanny Vaile (lawn bowls), Mou Tokorangi (lawn bowls), Ngatungane Tere (lawn bowls) and Emiline Taulu (oe vaka).

Athletes nominated for junior sportswoman and sportsman of the year are also athletes who excelled in their sports in 2009.

While winning the various coveted trophies and awards would be a thrill for any one of the above athletes – being nominated is surely a grand feeling for all athletes nominated who put their bodies on the line last year for national pride.

If you would like to be at the Aroa Nui Hall on Tuesday May 25 to find out who will take out the awards, get to the CISNOC office to pick up a ticket as they are running out.