Umaga awarded top honour

All Black captain Tana Umaga took out the top prize in last night's Samoan Sports Awards in Auckland.

Umaga edged out boxer Maselino Masoe and softballers Taifau Matai, Roman Gabriel and Heine Shannon to win the senior sportsman of the year award before claiming the overall prize.

Silver Fern Sheryl Scanlan, who was named the player of the series in New Zealand's 3-0 whitewash over Australia in July, beat Monalisa Codling (rugby), Regina Sheck (rugby), Justine Lavea (rugby) and Temepara Clark (netball) to win the sportswoman of the year award.

Mike Forsyth clinched the coach of the year award after guiding the Samoan softball side to a fifth placing in their first world championship.

Kiwi league player Sonny Bill Williams won the junior sportsman of the year award and New Zealand under-21 netballer Solonaima Maria Tutaia took out the junior sportswoman's prize.

 

THE FINALISTS WERE

JUNIOR SPORTSMAN: Thomas Leuluai (league), Junior Maninoa (athletics), Alvin Matavao (athletics, league), Sonny Bill Williams (league), Leo Taliu (rugby).

JUNIOR SPORTSWOMAN: Solonaima Maria Tutaia (netball), Valuese Sao-Taliu (rugby), Billy-Jean Ale (wrestling, league, touch, netball, athletics, rugby), Virginia Inivale (touch, volleyball).

SENIOR SPORTSMAN: Tana Umaga (rugby), Taifau Matai (softball), Roman Gabriel (softball), Maselino Masoe (boxing), Heinie Shannon (softball).

SENIOR SPORTSWOMAN: Monalisa Codling (rugby), Regina Sheck (rugby), Sheryl Scanlan (netball), Temepara Clark (netball), Justine Lavea (rugby).

COACH: Iusi Tony Ligaliga (bodybuilding), Pulemagafa Pava Saifoloi (rugby), Mike Forsyth (softball).