Silver Ferns' benefit at Halberg Awards

10.00pm

Controversial yachtsman Russell Coutts went away empty-handed as the Halberg Awards function for outstanding sporting success turned into a benefit evening for New Zealand netball tonight.

The queens of the court scooped the prize pool in Christchurch, beginning with the world champion Silver Ferns winning the sports team of the year award, followed by ace goalshoot Irene van Dyk claiming the sportswoman of the year title while Ruth Aitken was named coach of the year.

To crown an already spectacular night the Silver Ferns also walked away with the supreme prize, the Halberg Award.

Besides the Silver Ferns, who won the world championship in Jamaica last July, attention was also focused on America's Cup-winning yachtsman Coutts, a nominee for sportsman of the year.

Coutts' nomination had stirred much debate, as it came after he led Swiss syndicate to victory over Team New Zealand in Auckland early last year.

But this time the Alinghi skipper sailed away from New Zealand empty handed after world K1 1000m canoeing champion Ben Fouhy claimed the sportsman of the year award.

Fouhy also pipped two other champions, 2003 Indycar motor racing series winner Scott Dixon and world karting champion Wade Cunningham.

That award was the only one out of netball's reach as the Silver Ferns beat the cycling pair of Greg Henderson and Hayden Roulston, the New Zealand sevens rugby team and world double sculls rowing champions Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell for the teams award.

The Evers-Swindells' rowing coach Richard Tonks, Fouhy's mentor and Olympic legend Ian Ferguson and sevens coach Gordon Tietjens also took a back seat to netball as Aitken was rewarded for winning New Zealand's first world title since 1987.

Van Dyk's teammate, centre Temepara Clark, who also starred in Jamaica, contested the sportswoman of the year along with mountain runner Melissa Moon and retired world squash No 1 Carol Owens.

While the Silver Ferns side had won the teams award in 1989 , it was the first time in the history of the awards, dating back to 1949, that netball had ever captured the big prize.

Last year capped a dream year for the Silver Ferns, who beat England 3-0 in a home series before conquering Australia 49-47 in the world championship final.

As in previous years, the Halberg Trust also recognised the sporting achievements of former greats.

There was a special presentation for golfer Sir Bob Charles, a sportsman of the year winner in 1954 and 1963, who this year celebrated 40 years since his British Open victory and 50 years since his first New Zealand Open victory.

Winter Olympic silver medallist in the women's slalom in 1992 and 1992 Halberg Award winner Annelise Coberger was also honoured with induction into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame, started in 1990, has now inducted 157 of New Zealand's greatest sporting achievers from 34 different sports.

Earlier, All Blacks icon, Fred Allen, received a 'Service to Sport' award.

This is a Halberg Trust initiative which each year recognises someone who has made a lifetime contribution to sport.

Voting for the Halberg Awards is carried out by an academy of sporting journalists and former sporting greats.

Halberg Awards category winners

Halberg Award: Silver Ferns (New Zealand netball team).

Sportswoman of the year: Irene van Dyk.

Sportsman of the year: Ben Fouhy.

Team of the year: Silver Ferns.

Coach of the year: Ruth Aitken (netball).

- NZPA