International lawn bowler Shannon McIlroy was crowned the ASB Nelson Sportsperson of the Year amongst a room of outstanding nominees at the 2019 ASB Nelson Sports Awards on Thursday night.

In presenting the award, ASB’s Leeson Baldey commended the winner, “Shannon is an incredibly deserving recipient of this award, and we’re thrilled to be able to recognise his success in what has been an incredible 12 months for him.”

Placing first in both the Asia Pacific Championships Singles and Pairs as well as taking the top spot in the World Singles Championships in Australia, McIlroy is truly world class.

Over 300 guests packed the Annesbrook venue to congratulate the various category winners and celebrate a year of success across a huge number of sports.

Eighty three nominees were received for the awards, representing twenty-five different sporting codes. A local judging panel made up of experienced sports men and women deliberated over a period of two weeks, with winners being announced on the night.

McIlroy was named the Nelson Pine Industries Sportsman of the Year, before going on to receive the major prize, while the Bowater Motor Group Sportswoman of the Year award was won by a familiar face, Zoe McBride who has won the overall prize twice in recent years.

The MoreFM Nelson Sports Team of the Year is the Tasman Mako Rugby team, mountain biker Brady Stone is the Sport Tasman Junior Sportsman of the Year, while footballer Amelia Abbott was named Continental Event Hire Junior Sportswoman of the Year.

The Stuff Junior Sports Team of the Year is the Nayland Girls Beach Volleyball Team, the ASB Masters Sportsperson of the Year was won by cricketer Mason Robinson and the Proper Crisps Coach of the Year was the Tasman Mako’s Andrew Goodman.

The Rata Foundation Lifetime Contribution to Sport awards were made to those who had given lengthy service to their particular sports. These went to Don Carter (Lawn Bowls); Maree Smith (Netball) and Shane Drummond from Rugby Union. The collective years of service from the group as a whole was a staggering 130 years supporting our sports community.

Guest speaker on the night was the captivating Olympian pole-vaulter Eliza McCartney whose down to earth approach left the audience in awe of both her achievements in Track and Field, and in her approach to life away from sport.

MC Stephen McIvor kept the evening running smoothly while local musician Brian Shone entertained throughout.

Katie Arden from Sport Tasman described the awards evening as a “fabulous celebration and a chance for all to feel proud of their achievements.” She said the support of major sponsor ASB and the various category sponsors was pivotal to the event’s on-going success.

She also thanked local companies Orbit Travel, The Copy Press, Erban Spa Nelson and Grande Mercure Nelson Monaco for their support.

Photo of Eliza McCartney - Guest speaker

Photo credit: Evan Barnes/Shuttersport Limited

Article added: Thursday 28 November 2019