Wellington.scoop.co.nz ? Two years running for Ricki Herbert as ...

Press Release ? Sport Wellington
Ricki Herbert has become only the third person in its 31 year history to win the Dominion Post Wellington Sportsperson of the Year Award in two consecutive years. Herbert now joins Jeremy Coney (1985/86) and John Gallagher (1987/88) in an illustrious club.

Ricki could not be at the awards, being in camp in Auckland with the All Whites, but he spoke frankly of what the honour meant to him.

?I am really proud to be a part of the Wellington sporting landscape, Wellington is my home now, as it is the home of football.? When asked what it meant to join the likes of Coney and Gallagher Ricki smiled ?it?s a prestigious group of people to be alongside!? he said.

The honour was bestowed to Ricki at a gala awards dinner at the Wellington Town Hall, where a sell out crowd of 560 people celebrated achievement and dedication at the highest level of sport.

Other notable winners included Gareth Kean, who won the Tui Sportsman of the Year Award for his Commonwealth Games 200 metre backstroke Silver. Katrina Grant won the Te Kairanga Sportswoman of the Year, just a day after announcing she was resigning for the Central Pulse Netball Franchise. The Exodus Wellington Saints won the Hiremaster Team of the Year, and their backroom stalwart Nick Mills also won the Angus Inn Administrator of the Year. A popular choice, quite literally, was Richter City Roller Derby who pipped Billy Graham by a mere 60 out of the 1700 votes in the ?People?s Choice? promotion for the Air New Zealand Sports Personality of the Year.

A highlight of the awards evening was the induction of three new Legends of Wellington Sport. Keith Quinn and Sir Peter Leitch presided over the induction of Rugby League legend Colin O?Neil, who won Wellington Sportsman of the Year in 1969, whilst Sir Brian Lochore helped to induct Rugby legends Graham Williams and Ken Gray. Sadly Ken Gray passed away in 1992, but his wife Joy Gray accepted the accolade in his honour.

Sport Wellington CEO Paul Cameron thanked all sponsors and supporters who made the occasion such a great success, saying ?the Wellington sports sector is as vibrant and proud as ever. In this special year when we host a Rugby World Cup and see the long awaited opening of the Indoor Community Sports Centre, its great to see special events like this confirming that we are at the sporting epicentre, as much for our proud traditions as for our successes.?

It wasn?t all about Wellington however, Sport Wellington ran a silent auction to help their colleagues at Sport Canterbury. The funds raised will go towards the Sport and Recreation Recovery Fund to support Christchurch sport and recreation organisations and people adversely affected by the earthquakes. Cricket Wellington and Stephen Fleming also won a special award, the Radio Sport Fair Play Award for the Fill the Basin fund raiser which raised $500,000 for the Christchurch earthquake appeal.

Event Director Craig Ireson said he ?was proud to see the Dominion Post Sportsperson of the Year Awards bring fierce sporting rivals like Canterbury and Wellington together in a common cause.?

The full list of winners from last nights awards were:
The Dominion Post Wellington Sportsperson of the Year 2011 Ricki Herbert

Tui Sportsman of the Year
Gareth Kean Swimming

Te Kairanga Wines Sportswoman of the Year
Katrina Grant Netball

Hiremaster Team of the Year
Exodus Wellington Saints Basketball

Gibson Sheat Coach of the Year
Ricki Herbert Football

Wellington City Council Emerging Sportsman of the Year
Marco Rojas Football

Wellington City Council Emerging Sportswoman of the Year
Samantha Lee Surf Lifesaving

Air New Zealand Personality of the Year
Richter City Roller Derby Roller Derby

Pak ?N Save Kilbirnie Club Team of the Year
Capital Swim Club Swimming

Pelorus Trust Disabled Athlete of the Year
Jayne Parsons Paracycling

New Zealand Community Trust Volunteer of the Year
Steve Fox and Nick Lourantos International TaeKwon-Do

BDO Wellington Official of the Year
John Hook Surf Lifesaving

The Angus Inn Administrator of the Year
Nick Mills Basketball

Radio Sport Fair Play Award
Stephen Fleming and Cricket Wellington for Fill the Basin

ends

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