The Silver Ferns shape as the leading contenders for the Halberg Supreme award after the finalists were revealed.
The netballers who won the world cup in England last year against the odds head the team of the year finalists alongside Black Ferns Sevens, the World Cup finalists the Black Caps and two rowing crews - the women's double of Olivia Loe and Brooke Donoghue and Women's Eight.
New Zealand captain Laura Langman holds the Netball World Cup trophy with Maria Folau, Phoenix Karaka and Shannon Saunders after victory over Australia. Photo: Photosport
Silver Ferns captain Laura Langman is among the sportswoman of the year finalists, along with last year's winner canoe racer Lisa Carrington.
The other finalists are Zoi Sadowski-Synnott who produced New Zealand's first Snowboarding World Championships gold medal and motocross world champion Courtney Duncan.
The Sportsman of the Year award is a tight contest.
2018 supreme Halberg Award winner Tom Walsh heads the lists of Sportsman of the Year finalists and is joined by V8 supercar championship and Bathurst winner Scott McLaughlin, UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya and Black Caps captain Kane Williamson.
Israel Adesanya celebrates winning the UFC middleweight world title belt. Photo: Photosport
Six time winner Sophie Pascoe is again a finalist in the para athlete and team category having won four gold medals at the World Para Swimming Championships.
Pascoe is joined by fellow Para swimmer Cameron Leslie along with the Wheelchair rugby team the Wheel Blacks.
The Para cycling team of Emma Foy and Hannah van Kampen, who claimed two world titles in 2019, are shortlisted along with Lisa Adams who earnt her first shot put gold at the World Para Athletics Championships.
Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua Photo: Photosport
Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua appears a to have the coach of the year award wrapped up with three time winner canoe coach Gordon Walker, mixed martial arts coach Eugene Bareman, swim coach Roly Cricton and rowing coach Gary Hay the other contenders.
The winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Auckland on Februrary 13th.
Halberg Awards finalists:
Team of the Year (eligible for supreme Halberg Award)
Black Ferns Sevens (rugby)
Black Caps (cricket)
Silver Ferns (netball)
Women's Eight (rowing)
Women's Double - Olivia Loe and Brooke Donoghue - (rowing)
Para athlete/team of the Year (eligible for supreme Halberg Award)
Cameron Leslie (Para swimming, wheelchair rugby)
Emma Foy and Hannah van Kampen (Para cycling)
Lisa Adams (Para athletics)
Sophie Pascoe (Para swimming)
New Zealand Sportswoman of the Year (eligible for supreme Halberg Award)
Courtney Duncan (motorcycling)
Lisa Carrington (canoe racing)
Laura Langman (netball)
Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (snowboarding)
Sportsman of the Year (eligible for supreme Halberg Award)
Israel Adesanya (mixed martial arts)
Kane Williamson (cricket)
Scott McLaughlin (motorsport)
Tom Walsh (athletics)
Coach of the Year
Eugene Bareman (mixed martial arts)
Gary Hay (rowing)
Gordon Walker (canoe racing)
Noeline Taurua (netball)
Roly Crichton (Para swimming)
Emerging Talent
Alice Robinson (ski racing)
Erika Fairweather (swimming)
Laurence Pithie (cycling)
Seb Menzies and Blake McGlashan (yachting)
