The largest range of sports are represented in the annual Hawke’s Bay Sports Awards, with nominations put forward from 32 different sports.

Six judges, experts in their sporting and sports media fields, have narrowed the record number of nominations down to 53 finalists across 14 categories.

The 2018 winners will be announced at the awards ceremony held on Saturday 26 May at Pettigrew.Green Arena in Taradale. The winners of the Disabled, Master, Junior and Senior Sportsperson and Junior and Senior Team of the Year all go forward as finalists for the supreme award, the NZME Hawke’s Bay Sportsperson of the Year.

Sport Hawke’s Bay commercial manager Ryan Hambleton said, “With a record number of nominations put forward representing 33 different sports, the judges have had a hard task of deciding the category winners for this year’s Sports Awards.”

“The quality of nominations continues to increase and with 25 sports represented across the categories, this year looks to be another great opportunity to celebrate all that is great about sport,” he said.

Terry Parkin, long-time judge says “every year it gets harder and harder to decide on who will win each category. This year in particular we were all really impressed with the quality of the nominations in the junior category. We have had young athletes performing in senior competitions and winning them while some of our top sportspeople are representing New Zealand at their pinnacle events for their chosen sport. It’s not an easy task and shows the great depth of talent we have here in the Hawke’s Bay region.”

“We want to thank everyone that took the time to complete a nomination, the quality of nominations we received was outstanding. It’s great to see so many from the Hawke’s Bay community taking this opportunity to recognise and celebrate successes in their sport, and acknowledge those who work so hard to make sport happen,” adds Mr Hambleton.

Waka Ama, Rugby Union, Athletics and Basketball had the highest nominations for the 2018 event and follows a successful year from a range of areas within each organisation.

2018 will also see another two accomplished individuals inducted into the Hawke’s Bay Sports Hall of Fame. Following the evening, the Hall of Fame inductees will have their picture and plaques unveiled in their honour at the Pettigrew.Green Arena.

Sport Hawke’s Bay has also announced that following a successful event last year, Radio Sport breakfast hosts Nathan Rarere and Mark Peard will act as co-hosts for the evening.

Tickets for the awards are highly sought after and can be purchased through Sport Hawke’s Bay by visiting www.sporthb.net.nz or visiting the Sport Hawke’s Bay office at Pettigrew.Green Arena.

For a full list of finalists, see below.