One of the strongest finalist lineups in the 70-year history of the ILT Southland Sports Awards has been unveiled. Commonwealth Games golds, world championship medals and historic national titles feature across the eight categories which have been confirmed to date.

The ILT Southland Sports Awards were first held in 1953 and are New Zealand’s longest-running regional sports awards. Owned by the Southland Amateur Sports Trust, they are presented by Active Southland and aim to showcase contributions and achievements that inspire the Southland community.

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Active Southland chief executive Vanessa Hughey-Pol said the calibre of nominations and finalists for this year’s awards had been impressive. “The quality of performances by Southland athletes, and the contributions that our officials and administrators continue to make at the local, national and international level, makes you proud to be a Southlander,”

Hughey-Pol said. “I know for a fact the judging panel had a real challenge narrowing the nominations down to the finalists that have been announced, and deciding on category winners has not been easy.”

At least 25 different sporting codes are represented across the eight confirmed categories. “The variety of sports is exceptional and it’s great to see so many codes taking the opportunity to nominate their people and celebrate their achievements,” Hughey-Pol said.

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All winners, including the Active Southland 2023 Services to Sport awards, will be announced at the Ascot Park Hotel on June 9. Ticket information is available by emailing events@activesouthland.co.nz

2022/2023 ILT Southland Sports Awards finalists:

Creation Signs Official of the Year finalists:

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Erin Crigington (cycling)
Barbara Grieve (weightlifting)
Nicky McNaught (squash)
Kristie Simpson (netball)

Southland Kia Team of the Year finalists:

Southland Lads Multisport (Coast to Coast)
Southland Sharks 3×3 (basketball)
Southland Under 18 Mixed Touch (touch)
Southland women’s hockey team (hockey)

Good Tech Team Coach of the Year finalists:

Julian Ineson (cycling)
Chris Knight (athletics)
Vlad Saraev and Angela Saraeva (gymnastics)
Dennis Thompson and Scott Eade (touch)

BDO Administrator of the Year finalists:

Rex Capil (softball and baseball)
Braydan Marsden (disc golf)
Ngarita Te Patu (BMX)
Andy Magness (adventure racing)

NZME Masters Achievement of the Year finalists:

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Dwight Grieve (athletics)
Gail Kirkman (athletics)
Rex Ryan (rowing)
Geertien Venter (track cycling)

Community Trust South Community Impact award finalists:

Te Waka Taiohika o Murihiku
Southern Queens Boxing
Inclusive Activity Murihiku
Mossburn School Indoor Sports Complex

One NZ Junior Sportsperson of the Year finalists:

Cormac Buchanan (motorcycle racing)
Alex Crosbie (motor racing)
Charliese Erskine (clay target shooting)
Marshall Erwood (cycling, track and road)
Joseph Koroiadi (swimming)
Louise Kotkamp (cricket)
Rico Fisher (touch)
Levi Stout (disc golf)
Jon Rawiri Maddoc (Brazilian jiu-jitsu)

ILT Senior Sportsperson of the Year finalists:

Sheldon Bagrie-Howley (bowls)
Josh Burnett (road cycling and mountain biking)
Ethan de Groot (rugby)
Amy Rule (rugby)
Tom Sexton (cycling, track and road

Diverse Sporting Codes Represented in Highly Competitive ILT Southland Sports Awards (full list)

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