2026 Regional Sports Awards Nomination Form
  • 2026 Regional Sports Awards Nomination Form

  • Nomination period: 1 May 2025 – 30 April 2026

    Important: The judges will be basing their decisions on the information supplied so please ensure that it is a full and complete representation of the nominee's achievements against the criteria.

    Nomination process: All nominations must be directed through regional sport organisations and/or clubs. 

    Eligibility: 

    • Only sporting achievements within the nomination period 1 May 2025 – 30 April 2026 are eligible to be considered.
    • Nominees may be amateur or a professional.
    • Sporting achievements in New Zealand and overseas are eligible.
    • Must be a New Zealand Citizen, or hold a Resident or Permanent Resident Visa.
    • Nominees under consideration for awards must meet at least one of the criteria below:
      • Be a member of a club or organisation for their nominated sport in the Sport Manawatū* area during the award period.
      • Have represented the region in their chosen discipline during the award period.
      • Be commonly acknowledged as a Manawatū sportsperson**.

     

    If you have any questions, please email awards@sportmanawatu.org.nz

     

    *The Sport Manawatū area includes Palmerston North, Manawatū, Tararua, and Horowhenua.

    **The intent of this, is to ensure we still are able to include those sportspeople that are widely regarded as a Manawatū sportsperson but because of the demands of their sport cannot meet either of the other two criteria. This is not intended to catch any and all sportspeople who have passed through the Manawatū but those who developed here through school and/or club sport, have a community connection, and still would recognise themselves as someone from the Manawatū. We would be happy to hold discussions with each sport to help them work through this if required.

  • Nominated by

    Details of the person making the nomination
  • Nominee Details

    If you are nominating for the Club, Community Impact, Sports Partner, or Team of the Year category, please provide details for the best contact person to represent the group.
  • AWARD CATEGORY: Administrator of the Year

    Open to any sports administrator who has made an outstanding contribution to a club, association, regional or national sports organisation(s).
  • AWARD CATEGORY: Club of the Year

    Open to any outstanding sports club that has consistently excelled. Please make sure you cover the following areas of consideration: Improvements made over the qualification period including membership growth and growth in participation in events (individuals, teams, officials/volunteers); Competition Results, Awards and Community Impact; Positive management and development of facilities and finances; Development of coaches, game officials and administrators; Effectiveness of retention and recruitment; and Innovative and collaborative practices.
  • AWARD CATEGORY: Coach of the Year 

    Open to any coach who has made an outstanding contribution to sport at a regional, national, or international level. This category judges not only team results but also the art of coaching including aspects of people management, team culture, communication, mentoring, development of the person and the athlete, as well as adoption of innovate methods and leadership across their team(s). Please make sure you cover the following areas of consideration: Team Results; Leadership - People management and the development of team culture; Willingness to develop and be innovative; and Willingness to mentor/develop others.
  • AWARD CATEGORY: Community Impact of the Year 

    Projects that have had a significant positive impact and change on community sport. Projects may involve collaborations between schools, clubs, and other local community organisations (sporting or otherwise) that provide participation experiences in play, active recreation or sport, or talent development. Please make sure you cover the following areas of consideration: Impact of the project in the community; Barriers and Challenges overcome; Partnerships developed to deliver the project; and Project innovation.
  • AWARD CATEGORY: Disabled Sportsperson of the Year

    Open to any sportsperson with a disability who has performed with excellence at Regional, National, or International level as an individual or in a team.
  • AWARD CATEGORY: Female Junior Sportsperson of the Year

    Open to any female sportsperson aged 16 and over and under 20 years at the time of their achievements who has performed with excellence at Regional, National, or International level as an individual or in a team.
  • AWARD CATEGORY: Female Sportsperson of the Year

    Open to any sportswoman who has performed with excellence at Regional, National or International level as an individual or in a team.
  • AWARD CATEGORY: Grassroots Volunteer of the Year

    Open to an unpaid sports volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to a club, association, regional or national sports organisation(s). Their contribution should be above and beyond normal duties, giving broad service benefiting a sport with little formal recognition.
  • AWARD CATEGORY: Male Junior Sportsperson of the Year

    Open to any male sportsperson aged 16 and over and under 20 years at the time of their achievements who has performed with excellence at Regional, National, or international level as an individual or in a team.
  • AWARD CATEGORY: Male Sportsperson of the Year

    Open to any sportsman who has performed with excellence at Regional, National or International level as an individual or in a team.
  • AWARD CATEGORY: Maōri Sportsperson of the Year

    Open to any sportspersons with Māori decent who has performed with excellence at Regional, National, or International level as an individual or in a team.
  • AWARD CATEGORY: Official of the Year

    Open to any referee, umpire, judge, timekeeper, or variation of, who has had an outstanding performance at regional, national or international level. This category considers their officiating appointments, achievements, and their broader contributions to the sport. Examples include: Mentoring peers, enhancing the sports reputation, support recruitment and retention and other innovative initiatives. Please make sure you cover the following areas of consideration: Level of Performance. International, National or Regional; and their broader contribution to the sport including mentoring, recruitment and retention support and any other innovative ideas.
  • AWARD CATEGORY: Sports Partner of the Year

    Open to organisations that have partnered with a sports code and their actions have gone above and beyond financial support. Please note: this category is for “partnerships” not simply sponsorship; however sponsorship can form part of a successful partnership. Please make sure you cover the following areas of consideration: Involvement with the organisation by attending events, competitions, or being a member of a committee; Providing volunteer support to the organization in facility maintenance; Supporting the organisation through the supply of equipment or facilities; Evidence of what sponsorship money/contra has allowed the organisation to achieve e.g.: sending a team to a competition, having uniforms, fundraising; and Innovative and collaborative practices.
  • AWARD CATEGORY: Team of the Year

    A team of two or more people who has performed with excellence at Regional, National, or International level.
  • Additional evidence or supporting information

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  • Regional/National Sport Organisation Endorsement

  • Nominee Approval

  • Terms and Conditions

    - Video/photo usage rights.

    - You agree that all information provided is accurate and correct to the best of your knowledge.

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