A new award for those achieving in disability sport has been welcomed by the Special Olympics Waitākere. 

Organisers of the 2019 The Trusts Sport Waitākere Excellence Awards have announced an exciting addition to the category line up for this year’s event with the Disability Sport Award, recognising a disabled individual who has excelled in their chosen sporting pursuit.

Chairperson of Special Olympics Waitākere, Paul Misselbrook, says the new award delivers a welcome opportunity for the sporting talents of West Auckland’s disabled athletes to be recognised.

“Recognising athletes with disabilities, this award will further the awareness of disability sport within our community and providing recognition for the athlete’s commitment and efforts in their chosen sport.”

Sport Waitākere CEO, Lynette Adams, says the addition of the new award takes the total categories to 18 in the highly respected annual event.

“We are proud to add this important category to this year’s line-up.  Disabled athletes have entered previously across other categories, but it is only fitting to recognise talented athletes in this sector with a dedicated award.”

The Sport Waitākere Excellence Awards have seen a number of high profile New Zealand athletes recognised over the last two decades, including former All Black Michael Jones, Olympic rower Mahè Drysdale and Commonwealth Games gold medallist discus thrower Beatrice Faumuina.

While nominations are now open for rising local sports stars, teams and clubs, people are reminded that the awards also provide a great opportunity to celebrate those who support sport – the administrators, coaches, officials and volunteers who generously spend their time behind the scenes.

A panel of independent judges will select category finalists, with the winners announced at the Sport Waitākere Excellence Awards Dinner at Trusts Arena on Friday 8 November.

To make a nomination or to see the full list of award categories, please visit www.sportwaitakere.co.nz. The awards will recognise achievements from 1 October 2018 to 30 September 2019.

Article added: Tuesday 13 August 2019