The World Masters Games provided some stellar efforts from Northlanders. PHOTO/PHOTOSPORT.NZ
It's that time of the year where the Northland public has their say on some of the best moments of the 2017 sporting year.
In focus this year is the 2017 World Masters Games. Four of Northland's more than 300 competitors have set themselves apart.
The Northern Advocate 2017 People's Choice Award is being held in conjunction with Sport Northland.
Last year saw Paralympic gold medalist Cameron Leslie take home the honour after a strong campaign where he broke his own world record in the SM4 150m Individual Medley.
Formerly, the award was the Sports Personality of the Year. Previous winners were basketballer Pero Cameron in 2012, Colin Thorne in 2014 and Vicky, Kelly and Amanda Wilson for their efforts in Equestrian in 2015.
"If there was an award for outstanding sportsmanship of the Northland Team I believe everyone would agree that Dennis without a doubt would have been the clear winner."
Jill Coyle
Jill Coyle decided to take on the triple-disciplined triathlon at the World Masters Games and had more than just competing on her mind.
She was raising money for breast cancer and, in some treacherous conditions, toiled through the event in a time of 1:52.21.
Not even a change in the initial course and the challenge of completing the a distance she had never done before (750m swim, 20km cycle, 5km run) stopped Coyle as she fought right to the finish.
Nominator Kirsty Coyle said it was a brilliant effort that needs to be recognised.
"My mum raised $1500 for breast cancer. She was so nervous on the day I thought she was going to be sick and not do it but her friend who was going through chemo for breast cancer turned up and there was no way she wouldn't do it," she said.
"The weather was really windy and rainy they even changed the course because it was so bad.
"Mum was the only person not wearing a wetsuit for the swim but she didn't care as we had drawn the pink ribbon on her arms."
Vanessa Lawgun
Vanessa Lawgun has built a strong weightlifting and CrossFit reputation across both New Zealand and Australia - and her efforts at the World Masters Games enhanced that.
She finished with a bronze medal in the female 45-49 division after a strong showing in Auckland.