The finalists for the Central Otago Sports Awards have been announced and of the 26 individual nominees, 10 are snow sports athletes or coaches. 

Adaptive skier, Adam Hall, achieved Paralympic Gold, Jossi Wells was named Overall Freeski Athlete of the Year and adaptive snowboarder Carl Murphy stood atop the podium twice at the 2010 USASA National Championships and is ranked number two in the world.

It’s notable that two of the three snow sports athletes in the Senior Men’s category are adaptive snow sports athletes.

“I celebrate the quality of snow sports athletes with a disability in New Zealand,” said Libby Blackley, Adaptive Snow Sports Manager.  “It’s not a surprise that they have achieved what they have, they have both put in a lot of hard work and the pathways have been established for them to succeed.”

Snow Sports New Zealand has embraced “No Exceptions” – ensuring that all New Zealanders with a disability have access to experience the freedom of snow sports in integrated and specialist environments.  No Exceptions is clearly demonstrated as an integral part of all Snow Sports NZ philosophy, strategies and actions.  A pathway is in place for inclusive snow sports from grassroots through to high performance.

The Wells family made a clean sweep in this year’s nominations with Bruce Wells being nominated for coach of the year and the three younger Wells boys (Bryon, Beau-James and Jackson) all in the running for the Junior Men’s award.

Ski racer, Adam Barwood, is also a finalist for the Junior Men’s award and freeski coach, Pete Legnavsky, joins Bruce Wells as a finalist for Coach of the Year.

Sport Central regional sports co-ordinator Bill Godsall said the competition across all categories of the awards was of "an extremely high standard as usual".

"This leads to very difficult decisions for the judges. The chosen finalists reflect the sport our community's athletes participate in. It is no surprise they are at the leading edge of international competition. I wish them all the best for the awards," Mr Godsall said.

The awards ceremony will be held at the Grand Mercure Oakridge Resort in Wanaka on April 15.
New Zealand sevens rugby representative Dallas Seymour will be guest speaker.

The finalists are:

Coach of the year: Pete Legnavsky, Wanaka (snowsports); Kathryn Jolly, Queenstown (hockey); David Varney, Wanaka (rowing); Bruce Wells, Wanaka (snowsports); Andy Sainsbury, Alexandra (cricket); Martyn Williamson, Alexandra (cycling).

Team of the year: Otago Country Cricket, Central Otago; Dunstan High School Adventure Racing Team, Alexandra; Alexandra Ladies 7s Bowls Team, Alexandra; Dunstan High School Girls Softball A team, Alexandra; Central Otago boys under-15 hockey team; Alexandra; Bridget and Shaun Becker, Curling, Naseby,
Senior women: Joanna Williams, Wanaka (multisport adventure racing); Nicky Samuels, Wanaka (triathlon).

Junior Girls: Sophie Williamson, Alexandra (cycling); Saasha Bruce, Wanaka (rowing); Sara Kate McDonald, Clyde (cycling); Jessica Bailey, Wanaka (slalom kayaking); Dana Jenkins, Alexandra (disabled swimming); Holy Wigg, Wanaka (karate).

Senior Men: James Williamson, Alexandra (cycling); Ivan Kripper, Wanaka (aerobatics); Dougal Allan, Wanaka (multisport adventure racing); Shaun Scott, Cromwell (bowls); Adam Hall, Wanaka  (snowsports); Jossi Wells, Wanaka (snowsports); Carl Murphy, Wanaka (snowsports).

Junior Men: Finn Fairbairn, Wanaka (sport climbing); Conner Harrison, Queenstown (ice hockey); Cameron Day, Alexandra (snowsports, adventure racing, kayaking); Byron Wells, Wanaka (snowsports); Adam Barwood, Queenstown (snowsports); Jackson Wells, Wanaka (snowsports); Beau James Wells, Wanaka (snowsports).