Sports awards: Gillies Kaka in line for more silverware

Gillies Kaka is among the favourites for the senior award after memorable World Series and World Cup Sevens campaigns. Photo/File

Will Hawke's Bay's world champion Sevens star Gillies Kaka collect the bulk of the silverware at a second major sports awards function in the province?

That question sprung to mind when the finalists for the Gen-i-supported 2014 Hawke's Bay Sports Awards function to be held at Taradale's Pettigrew-Green Arena on May 24 were announced last night.

Kaka was a joint winner of the Senior Sportsman award and the winner of the Sportsperson of the Year award at the Hastings-hosted Ngati Kahungunu Sports Awards function in October.

After being voted player of the tournament when the All Black Sevens won the World Cup in Russia last year, a key member of the side's winning World Series campaign and a member of the Ranfurly Shield-winning Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team, it will be a surprise if Kaka doesn't capture another double.

But to win the supreme award next month Kaka, 23, will have to beat some quality opponents in the senior category.

They are world-ranked rowers Emma Twigg and Fiona Bourke; the most capped Black Sticks women's hockey player, Emily Naylor; and 2012 winner of the supreme award, All Black fullback Israel Dagg.

Winners of the Senior, Junior, Masters, Junior Team and Senior Team awards become automatic finalists for the supreme award.

The quality among the Junior category finalists is just as good as in the Senior category.

Cyclist Regan Gough, who won the Hawke's Bay Secondary Schools supreme award in November after winning two silver medals at the August junior world track cycling championships, must rank as the favourite. But rower Hannah Bailey, the female award winner at the Hawke's Bay Secondary Schools awards, swimmer Bobbi Gichard and kayaker Aimee Fisher - who are all world ranked - and softballer Courtney Gettins, who has played at Junior World Series level and is about to play at Senior World Series level, won't lack support.

Two-time winner of the Masters category, triathlete Ali Hollington, is a finalist again. Her toughest competition next month is likely to come from Maika Nuku, a multiple gold medallist at the world rafting championships.

Two of the four finalists in the Junior Team category, the Napier Boys' High School orienteering team and sailors Olivia Mackay and Abby Goodwin are world ranked while the other two Ashlea Quirk and Hannah Bailey and fellow Hawke's Bay Rowing Club rowers, the NBHS squad are national champions.

The Ranfurly Shield-winning Magpies and national title-winning Dodgers women's softball team are the favourites for the Senior Team award. But the claims of fellow finalists, the Hawke's Bay United soccer side who had their best finish as third in the national league, and national title-winning Hawke's Bay Rowing Club Men's Senior Eight crew can't be ignored.

Sports journalist Phil Gifford will again MC the function. His interview with retired media personality Murray Deaker has the potential to be a highlight of the evening.

The ICC World Cup trophy will be on display at the function as part of the buildup to the February and March tournament which will include games in New Zealand.

Entertainment will be provided by Kiwi musician Peter Urlich and Hawke's Bay covers band Naked Gun. Tickets cost $90 and are available from Sport Hawke's Bay.