Soccer: Herald soccer journalist wins writer of year

Senior Herald sports journalist Terry Maddaford has been named soccer writer of the year at the sport's annual awards.

Maddaford, who was presented with his award at a New Zealand Soccer gala dinner at North Harbour last night by former England goalkeeper Ray Clemence, is the country's most experienced soccer writer, having covered the All Whites' only World Cup finals campaign, in Spain in 1982.

His winning entry included a feature on former All White and Rhodes Scholar Ceri Evans, another on the Kerikeri team's Chatham Cup run this year, and coverage of the Oceania Nations Cup.

The other finalists were Kent Gray, of the Dominion Post, and freelance writer Jason Pine.

The player of the year is Australian-based striker Vaughan Coveny, ahead of fellow All White Brent Fisher, of Brisbane's Northern Spirit, and DC United's Ryan Nelsen. The young player of the year is All White Tony Lochhead, at the University of Santa Barbara.

Women's player of the year is Amber Hearn, who is playing in England for Arsenal, and the young women's player is American university-based Hayley Moorwood.