Porirua Sports Awards nominations open for 2019

Sharron Pardoe Reporter from Kapi-Mana News

It’s time to get those nominations in for the Porirua Sports Awards.
This year’s version represents the 50th anniversary since Titahi Bay lifesaver Jim Campbell was handed the first Supreme Award at a ceremony at a Cannons Creek hotel in 1969.
The awards have been held at Te Rauparaha Arena for the past 10 years and are hosted by organisers Porirua City Council.
The Supreme Award winner in 2017, Black Sox softball legend Mark Sorenson, (pictured) says he was proud to be asked to be a judge in 2018 and again this year.
“Awards like this are important and I’m very happy to be involved,” says the former Halberg Awards judge.
Sorenson has attended more awards dinners and ceremonies than most, but says each occasion is about learning something new.
“Sometimes you’re in such a bubble with your own sport, so occasions like these are the chance to learn how other teams and athletes approach training or events.”
The categories for nominations are young sportsman and sportswoman, individual sportsman and sportswoman, team, disabled sportsperson, coach, volunteer, and service to sport.
The awards’ organiser, Porirua City Events Manager Helen Brookes, says it is important sportspeople, clubs, coaches and parents get their nominations in.
Ms Brookes says the 50th anniversary of the awards will be recognised on the night.
The nomination period for all categories except service to sport is from 1 September 2018 to August 31 2019.
Nomination forms can be found on the Te Rauparaha Arena website under Events and must be in by 4 October.