We are thrilled to share that both Cormac Buchanan and Levi Townley have been recognised as finalised for the 62nd ISPS HANDA Halberg Awards, in the Sky Sport Emerging Talent.
Halberg is proud to announce 33 finalists across six categories for the 62nd ISPS HANDA Halberg Awards, in what has been an outstanding year for New Zealand sport. With remarkable achievements across the globe, including admirable performances at the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics, this year’s finalists represent the peak of athletic excellence and are a testament to the strength of New Zealand’s sporting community.
Selected by a panel of former elite athletes, coaches, sports administrators, and media representatives, the finalists were chosen from 65 nominations submitted by National Sports Organisations and an independent Nominations Board, recognising outstanding achievements from 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024.
The winners will be announced during a prestigious black-tie evening at Spark Arena, Auckland, on Tuesday 18 February 2025. The event will also crown the inaugural Sir Murray Halberg Legacy Award, Sport New Zealand’s Leadership Award and the only publicly voted Award – New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment. The ceremony will be broadcast live on Sky Sport and free-to-air on Sky Open from 8:00 PM.
Finalists for the Sportswoman, Sportsman, Para Athlete/Para Team, and Team categories are also eligible for the Supreme Halberg Award, the peak of sporting excellence in New Zealand.
14 nominations from 11 diverse sports were received for Sportswoman of the Year. From this group, six finalists have been found including returning Supreme winner Dame Lisa Carrington who continued her dominance on the water with three gold medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Other finalists include cyclist Ellesse Andrews for securing two gold and a silver in Paris; golfer Lydia Ko for her remarkable achievements of 2024; rowing great Emma Twigg; tennis star Erin Routliffe and White Ferns Amelia Kerr for her outstanding contribution to their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup win in Dubai.
The ISPS HANDA Halberg Sportsman of the Year category had eight nominations this year. Finalists include Olympic Gold medallists Hamish Kerr and Finn Butcher; Tri-athlete Hayden Wilde; Chris Wood for his exceptional achievements in the 2024 English Premier League and world leading jockey James McDonald.
Five finalists have been shortlisted from a pool of eight nominations for the ISPS HANDA Para Athlete/Para Team of the Year Award. Included is Anna Grimaldi who claimed Gold in the 200m T47 in Paris setting a new New Zealand and Oceania record. Fellow Para athletes Danielle Aitchison and William Stedman are also amongst this year’s finalists. Para cyclists Anna Tylor and Nicole Murray have been recognised for their achievements at both the Paris 2024 Paralympics and UCI Para Cycling Track World Championships.
In a year for the Team sport, 14 nominations were received for the ISPS HANDA Team of the Year category. Six teams have been shortlisted as finalists including Emirates Team NZ for making history and claiming their third consecutive America’s Cup Title; the WHITE FERNS have been named for their 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup win alongside the Black Fern Sevens. The list wraps up with two Women’s Canoe Sprint teams – the Women’s K2 and K4 crews for their gold-medal triumphs in Paris.
The Buddle Findlay Coach of the Year category has five finalists comprising of five time winner of the category Gordon Walker; Black Fern Seven’s coach Cory Sweeney is shortlists, alongside Track Cycling coach Jon Andrews. James Sandilands and Aaron Osborne are both finalists this year for achievements with Olympic Gold medallists and Sportsman of the Year finalists Hamish Kerr and Finn Butcher respectively.
Six rising stars round out the nominations for the Sky Sport Emerging Talent Award
including World Athletics U20s Triple Jump gold medallist Ethan Oliver; Mountain Biker Erice Van Leuven; Footballer Tyler Bindon for his phenomenal rise as a professional footballer; Cormac Buchanan joins the finalists for his exceptional performance in the FIM junior GP World Championships in Moto3; World Junior Motocross Champion Levi Townley and Youth Winter Olympic Games Medallist Luke Harrold wraps up the list.
Re- established in 1963 by Sir Murray Halberg ONZ, MBE the ISPS HANDA Halberg Awards celebrate New Zealand’s sporting success, while raising important funds for the Halberg Foundation’s vision: ensuring all young people with physical disabilities have access to sport and recreation opportunities.