Search on for sports stars of the future

Champion rower Rob Waddell. Photo / Herald on Sunday

It is no surprise that among the long list of nominees for the 2009 Halberg Awards there are again many former Herald Future Stars - or their predecessor the Junior Sports Awards - winners.

The Herald awards, instigated in 1968, have long unearthed New Zealand's rising sporting talent.

Athletes Valerie Vili, Beatrice Faumuina and Allison Roe, track cycling star Sarah Ulmer, rowing Olympic single sculling champion Rob Waddell, Wimbledon finalist Chris Lewis, batting great Martin Crowe, Olympic boardsailing champion Barbara Kendall, top golfer Phil Tataurangi, and multi-British Open squash winner Susan Devoy are among the 200-plus Herald winners who have gone on to be recognised as winners of a Halberg award.

Every year the judging panel considers between 40-50 nominations for the awards. Given the high standard of young sportsmen and women, it is always a difficult task.

The Future Stars, an initiative between the Herald and the Millennium Institute of Sport and Health, will again reward up to six of the country's most promising sporting stars.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2009 awards.

All nominees must be under 20 at December 31, 2009.

Applications must give full details of the performance(s) to be considered by the judges. Statistical information including date of birth, age at the time of the performance, address, contact details must be included.

All applicants must agree to their nomination and applications should be countersigned or acknowledged by a coach, parent of school principal.

While it is envisaged young stars in their late teens are most likely to be acclaimed among the winners, the judges will also consider efforts by outstanding younger performers.

The judges will also consider sporting excellence by paralympians and other disabled sportsmen and women. Each winner will receive a $1500 training grant, a trophy and a product pack.

Applications, which must be received by December 31, 2009, can be sent to Future Stars, c/- Editorial Department, PO Box 32, Auckland; faxed to 09 373-6406; or by email to futurestars@nzherald.co.nz