Halberg Award nominees announced

All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen has been nominated for the Sportsman of the Year award. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Sixty-six nominations are being considered across four categories by the 29-strong voting committee for the 2009 Halberg Awards.

Among the finalists for Sportsman of the Year are rowing world champion Mahe Drysdale, All Whites Rory Fallon and Ryan Nelsen, Black Caps captain Daniel Vettori, All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and boxer David Tua.

Valerie Vili is hot favourite for Sportswomen of the Year and faces competition from the likes of cyclist Alison Shanks and BMX rider Sarah Walker.

The All Whites are among nominations for Team of the Year with their coach Ricki Herbert getting a nod for Coach of the Year.

The four finalists in the Emerging Talent Award are cyclist Sam Webster, rugby player Aaron Cruden, rower Robbie Manson and sailor Sam Meech.

The category finalists will not be announced until early next month with the awards held at Auckland's Sky City on February 4.

The full list of nominees is as follows:

Sportsman of the Year

Michael Ardern (Paralympics), Dan Carter (rugby), Julian Dean (cycling), Scott Dixon (motorsport), Mahe Drysdale (rowing), Chris Eaden (ice hockey), Rory Fallon (football), Duncan Grant (rowing), Adam Hall (Paralympics), Greg Henderson (cycling), Daniel Holt (Paralympics), Cameron Leslie (Paralympics), Rob Matthews (Paralympics), Richie McCaw (rugby), Peter Michael (speed skating), Adam Minopiro (sailing), Ryan Nelson (football), Kirk Penney (basketball), Hayden Roulston (cycling), Tom Scully (cycling), Jesse Sergent (cycling), Daniel Sharp (Paralympics), David Tua (boxing) and Daniel Vettori (cricket)

Sportswoman of the Year

Nicole Begg (speed skating), Catherine Cheatley (cycling), Emma Feathery (rowing), Mary Fisher (Paralympics), Paige Hareb (surfing), Andrea Hewitt (triathlon), Miriam Jenkins (Paralympics), Hayley Moorwood (football), Sophie Pascoe (Paralympics), Rebecca Scown (rowing), Alison Shanks (cycling), Paula Tesoriero (Paralympics), Emma Twigg (rowing), Valerie Vili (athletics), Sarah Walker (cycling), Casey Williams (netball) and Monique Williams (athletics).

Westpac Sports Team of the Year

All Blacks (rugby), All Whites (football), Black Sox (softball), Black Sticks, Men (hockey), Black Sticks, Women (hockey), Brad Jackson and Stu Bannatyne (sailing), Eric Murray and Hamish Bond (rowing), Ice Blacks (ice hockey), Men';s Madison (cycling), Men';s Team Pursuit (cycling), Silver Ferns (netball), Storm Uru and Peter Taylor (rowing), Tall Blacks (basketball), Women';s Team Pursuit (cycling) and Women';s 420 (sailing).

Coach of the Year

Ruth Aitken (netball), Tim Carswell (cycling), Dayle Cheatley (cycling), Calvin Ferguson (rowing), Kirsten Hellier (athletics), Ricki Herbert (football), Craig Palmer (cycling), Gordon Tietjens (rugby), Richard Tonks (rowing) and Nenad Vucinic (basketball
- NEWSTALK ZB