It was a triple delight for New Zealand cricket fans at the Halberg Sports Awards in Auckland last night, with Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson and Grant Elliott all honoured.
McCullum was bestowed with the coveted Sport NZ Leadership Award; Williamson was named the New Zealand Sportsman of the Year, and Grant Elliott judged the winner of the New Zealand Sporting Moment of the Year.
BLACKCAPS’ coach Mike Hesson, a finalist in the Coach of the Year category, accepted the Sporting Moment of the Year award on behalf of Elliott, who was unable to be at event because of commitments to the Pakistan Super League.
Williamson, who late last year became the world’s No.1 ranked batsman on the back of five Test centuries and an average for the year of 90.15, was awarded his gong ahead of fellow finalists Dan Carter, Scott Dixon and Danny Lee.
Awards patrons gave a standing ovation to McCullum (the first man in cricket history to play 100 consecutive Tests since debut) ahead of his retirement from all international cricket following the final Test against Australia in Christchurch.
Elliott’s award, the only one judged by the public, celebrated his match-winning six off the penultimate ball of the ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final at Eden Park, and his sportsmanship in immediately seeking to comfort distraught South African bowler, Dale Steyn.
The BLACKCAPS were also recognised as finalists in the Team of the Year category, which was won by the All Blacks - the supreme Halberg winners.
Hosted by the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation, the Halberg Awards are the nation’s pre-eminent event, honouring and celebrating sporting excellence by New Zealand teams and athletes on an annual basis
The Awards are the major fundraiser for the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation, the charity set up by Olympic champion Sir Murray Halberg (ONZ) to enhance the lives of physically disabled New Zealanders through sport and recreation.
The full list of winners and finalists for the 53rd Halberg Awards:
Halberg Award winner: All Blacks (Rugby)
Finalists: Kane Williamson (Cricket), Lydia Ko (Golf), Sophie Pascoe (Para-Swimming).
Microsoft Surface Team of the Year winner: All Blacks (Rugby)
Finalists: BLACKCAPS (Cricket), Men's Pair; Hamish Bond and Eric Murray (Rowing), Men’s 49er Class; Peter Burling and Blair Tuke (Yachting).
High Performance Sport New Zealand Sportsman of the Year winner: Kane Williamson (Cricket)
Finalists: Daniel Carter (Rugby), Danny Lee (Golf), Scott Dixon (Motorsport).
High Performance Sport New Zealand Sportswoman of the Year winner: Lydia Ko (Golf)
Finalists: Lauren Boyle (Swimming), Linda Villumsen (Cycling), Lisa Carrington (Canoeing).
Halberg Disability Sport Foundation Disabled Sportsperson of the Year winner: Sophie Pascoe (Para-Swimming)
Finalists: Corey Peters (Para-Skiing), Michael Johnson (Para-Shooting), Nikita Howarth (Para-Swimming).
SKY NEXT Emerging Talent winner: Eliza McCartney (Athletics)
Finalists: Campbell Stewart (Cycling), Dylan Schmidt (Trampoline), Tai Wynyard (Basketball).
Coach of the Year winner: Steve Hansen (Rugby)
Finalists: Gordon Walker (Canoeing), Hamish Willcox (Yachting), Mike Hesson (Cricket).
Radio Sport Sporting Moment of the year winner: Grant Elliott (Cricket)
Finalists: SKYCITY Breakers (Basketball), Kiwis (Rugby League), The Highlanders (Rugby), Vodafone Warriors (Rugby League), Richie McCaw (Rugby), Lydia Ko (Golf), All Blacks (Rugby), Ross Taylor (Cricket), Football Ferns (Football).
Sport New Zealand Leadership Award: Brendon McCullum (Cricket)
New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame induction
Lance O'Sullivan (Horseracing), Sir Don Rowlands (Rowing), Lesley Rumball (Netball) and Mark Sorenson (Softball).
Lifetime Achievement Award
Ashley Taylor (Athletics)
