Category: Sport

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Halberg Foundation unveiled the finalists across six categories, to be announced at its annual awards ceremony in Auckland on 16 February.

Of the 32 finalists in the six categories, six each hail from track and field and the snow.

High jumper Hamish Kerr and 3000m steeple chaser Geordie Beamish are both included among the five nominees for the men’s award after winning gold medals at the world championships in Tokyo.

Other men’s contenders are golfer Ryan Fox, who won twice on the PGA Tour, All Whites captain Chris Wood, who scored 20 goals for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League and free-skier Luca Harrington, who clinched Big Air world championships gold.

There are six women’s finalists, including free-skier Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, who bagged a third snowboard slopestyle world title and alpine skier Alice Robinson, who won New Zealand’s first medal at an alpine ski world championships – silver in the giant slalom.

Cyclists Niamh Fisher-Black (world championships road race silver medallist), Sammie Maxwell (mountain bike world series cross country champion), Jorja Miller (Black Ferns sevens world series winner) and Erin Routliffe (US Open women’s doubles tennis champion) are also in contention.

All finalists for sportswoman, sportsman, team and para-athlete/team are eligible for the supreme award.

The 2024 supreme winner was golfer Dame Lydia Ko.

The ceremony will also unveil winners of New Zealand’s favourite sporting moment and a leadership award.

The finalists were voted on by a panel of former athletes, coaches, sports administrators and media representatives, after 59 nominations were received.

Halberg Award finalists

Sportswoman of the Year: Niamh Fisher-Black (cycling road), Sammie Maxwell (cycling-mountain bike), Jorja Miller (rugby union), Alice Robinson (snow sports-alpine ski racing), Erin Routliffe (tennis), Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (snow sports-snowboarding).

Sportsman of the Year: Geordie Beamish (athletics-track), Ryan Fox (golf), Luca Harrington (snow sports-freeskiing), Hamish Kerr (athletics-field), Chris Wood (football).

Para Athlete/Para Team of the Year: Lisa Adams (Para athletics-field), Danielle Aitchison (Para athletics), Devon Briggs (Para cycling-track), Cameron Leslie (swimming), Nicole Murray (Para cycling-track).

Team of the Year: Auckland FC (football), Black Ferns Sevens (rugby sevens), New Zealand Black Sox (softball), New Zealand Kiwis (rugby league), Men’s Team Pursuit: Nick Kergozou, Tom Sexton, Keegan Hornblow and Marshall Erwood (cycling-track), Ben Taylor and Oliver Welch (rowing).

Coach of the Year: Brendon Cameron (Para cycling-track), Hamish McDougall (snow sports-freeski), Mike Rodger (rowing), James Sandilands (athletics), Cory Sweeney (rugby sevens).

Emerging Talent: Lily Greenough (cycling-BMX), Finley Melville Ives (snow sports-freeski), Zoe Pedersen (swimming and surf lifesaving), Sam Ruthe (athletics), Braxton Sorensen-McGee (rugby union).

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Analysis – It will take a brave person to put their name forward to become the next chief executive of Netball New Zealand.

The national body will be in the hunt for a new boss in the new year, with Jennie Wyllie informing the board on Thursday that she was resigning as CEO.

The challenges that netball face as a whole are far greater than what they were when Wyllie took on the job in 2016 when there was less competition from other female codes.

Wyllie, who has been with Netball NZ for 16 years in total, said it had been a privilege to work in the organisation.

“There have also been challenges along the way, which come with any leadership role. Now, it feels right to focus on my family and look ahead to new opportunities,” Wyllie said.

Chairperson of Netball NZ Matt Whineray said Wyllie had guided the organisation through significant change and challenge.

The year can’t end soon enough for Netball New Zealand, with 2025 surely to go down as the worst in its history. It started when the organisation struggled to secure a broadcast deal for the ANZ Premiership.

But the biggest blow to the organisation’s reputation came in September when it announced that Silver Ferns’ coach Dame Noeline Taurua was being suspended, due to concerns about the high performance environment.

Thick skin needed

The saga played out in the media for weeks before Dame Noeline was eventually reinstated but calls for ‘heads to roll’ at Netball NZ came from many quarters of the netball community.

As soon as news broke that Dame Noeline was stood down, most netball fans immediately assumed the position that the coach was the victim.

The overwhelming tone on social media was that the players who complained about Taurua’s coaching style were ‘soft’, and that Wyllie and the board were the villains.

Despite Dame Noeline being reinstated in late October, a lot of anger has lingered about how the situation was handled. The Waikato Bay of Plenty Zone voted in favour of calling for a Special General Meeting to challenge Netball NZs leadership but it needed two other zones to actually force it.

Wyllie would have no doubt felt mounting pressure so yesterday’s news came as no surprise, given the amount of backlash that came her way.

The irony is that Wyllie was credited for steering Netball NZ through its previous darkest chapter, when the Silver Ferns failed to medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, which at that time was their worst result at a pinnacle event.

An independent review was commissioned, Janine Southby stood down as coach, and then Wyllie actively pursued Taurua, who was coaching in the Australian league at the time.

Hiring a new Silver Ferns’ coach who was living and coaching in Australia was bold and it paid off when the Silver Ferns won the 2019 World Cup.

But fans have proven to be very parochial when it comes to certain figures in the netball community.

Some politicians even chimed in to voice their concerns over what they felt was the poor treatment of Dame Noeline, who is seen by many as a national treasure.

What the last few months have shown is that netball fans have strong opinions, they are loud, and the new CEO will come under plenty of scrutiny.

Show me the money

The national body will be desperate to find new sponsors with deep pockets to help it support a domestic league that can still at least be described as semi-professional.

The board will welcome any candidates for the job who have proven track records of finding new funding streams.

The financial health of the ANZ Premiership has declined significantly since the league’s inaugural season in 2017, given half the teams need Netball NZ to prop them up financially.

The biggest financial blow to the domestic league has come in the last couple of years, with Sky TV not offering anywhere near the amount it did in the past for broadcasting rights.

The protracted broadcast talks left players uncertain about their futures. Netball NZ eventually secured a one year arrangement with TVNZ for free-to-air coverage of the ANZ Premiership.

The previous deal with Sky basically paid the salaries of the players in each franchise. Netball NZ has said it will have to dip into their own cash reserves to help fund the ANZ in 2026.

Netball used to be essential in Sky Sports’ line-up because it was the only female sport it would broadcast on a regular basis but sports like women’s cricket and rugby are getting a lot more coverage.

What’s the plan from 2027?

The Netball NZ board will be looking for someone with a clear vision.

With just a one year deal with TVNZ to screen next year’s ANZ Premiership, the clock is ticking on what will come of the league from 2027.

Netball Australia hopes to expand its Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) league as early as 2027 and invited expressions of interest for two additional licences.

At this point in time there has been no confirmation from Netball NZ that they will submit an expression of interest.

There will be bids that come from within Australia, which will offer more opportunities to local players, so a New Zealand bid might not be that attractive.

Netball New Zealand leaders will have to decide whether it would be worth purchasing a licence in the league, given that nine New Zealand players will be competing in the SSN next year.

Any prospective applicants for the top job might be excited about the fact that in many ways they would be working with a blank canvas and just about anything could be on the table.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Analysis – It will take a brave person to put their name forward to become the next chief executive of Netball New Zealand.

The national body will be in the hunt for a new boss in the new year, with Jennie Wyllie informing the board on Thursday that she was resigning as CEO.

The challenges that netball face as a whole are far greater than what they were when Wyllie took on the job in 2016 when there was less competition from other female codes.

Wyllie, who has been with Netball NZ for 16 years in total, said it had been a privilege to work in the organisation.

“There have also been challenges along the way, which come with any leadership role. Now, it feels right to focus on my family and look ahead to new opportunities,” Wyllie said.

Chairperson of Netball NZ Matt Whineray said Wyllie had guided the organisation through significant change and challenge.

The year can’t end soon enough for Netball New Zealand, with 2025 surely to go down as the worst in its history. It started when the organisation struggled to secure a broadcast deal for the ANZ Premiership.

But the biggest blow to the organisation’s reputation came in September when it announced that Silver Ferns’ coach Dame Noeline Taurua was being suspended, due to concerns about the high performance environment.

Thick skin needed

The saga played out in the media for weeks before Dame Noeline was eventually reinstated but calls for ‘heads to roll’ at Netball NZ came from many quarters of the netball community.

As soon as news broke that Dame Noeline was stood down, most netball fans immediately assumed the position that the coach was the victim.

The overwhelming tone on social media was that the players who complained about Taurua’s coaching style were ‘soft’, and that Wyllie and the board were the villains.

Despite Dame Noeline being reinstated in late October, a lot of anger has lingered about how the situation was handled. The Waikato Bay of Plenty Zone voted in favour of calling for a Special General Meeting to challenge Netball NZs leadership but it needed two other zones to actually force it.

Wyllie would have no doubt felt mounting pressure so yesterday’s news came as no surprise, given the amount of backlash that came her way.

The irony is that Wyllie was credited for steering Netball NZ through its previous darkest chapter, when the Silver Ferns failed to medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, which at that time was their worst result at a pinnacle event.

An independent review was commissioned, Janine Southby stood down as coach, and then Wyllie actively pursued Taurua, who was coaching in the Australian league at the time.

Hiring a new Silver Ferns’ coach who was living and coaching in Australia was bold and it paid off when the Silver Ferns won the 2019 World Cup.

But fans have proven to be very parochial when it comes to certain figures in the netball community.

Some politicians even chimed in to voice their concerns over what they felt was the poor treatment of Dame Noeline, who is seen by many as a national treasure.

What the last few months have shown is that netball fans have strong opinions, they are loud, and the new CEO will come under plenty of scrutiny.

Show me the money

The national body will be desperate to find new sponsors with deep pockets to help it support a domestic league that can still at least be described as semi-professional.

The board will welcome any candidates for the job who have proven track records of finding new funding streams.

The financial health of the ANZ Premiership has declined significantly since the league’s inaugural season in 2017, given half the teams need Netball NZ to prop them up financially.

The biggest financial blow to the domestic league has come in the last couple of years, with Sky TV not offering anywhere near the amount it did in the past for broadcasting rights.

The protracted broadcast talks left players uncertain about their futures. Netball NZ eventually secured a one year arrangement with TVNZ for free-to-air coverage of the ANZ Premiership.

The previous deal with Sky basically paid the salaries of the players in each franchise. Netball NZ has said it will have to dip into their own cash reserves to help fund the ANZ in 2026.

Netball used to be essential in Sky Sports’ line-up because it was the only female sport it would broadcast on a regular basis but sports like women’s cricket and rugby are getting a lot more coverage.

What’s the plan from 2027?

The Netball NZ board will be looking for someone with a clear vision.

With just a one year deal with TVNZ to screen next year’s ANZ Premiership, the clock is ticking on what will come of the league from 2027.

Netball Australia hopes to expand its Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) league as early as 2027 and invited expressions of interest for two additional licences.

At this point in time there has been no confirmation from Netball NZ that they will submit an expression of interest.

There will be bids that come from within Australia, which will offer more opportunities to local players, so a New Zealand bid might not be that attractive.

Netball New Zealand leaders will have to decide whether it would be worth purchasing a licence in the league, given that nine New Zealand players will be competing in the SSN next year.

Any prospective applicants for the top job might be excited about the fact that in many ways they would be working with a blank canvas and just about anything could be on the table.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand Football plans to double its revenue and the number of New Zealand-based A-League teams by 2035 in an ambitious strategy that targets results on and off the field.

Currently New Zealand Football (NZF) said there were 111 professional footballers from the country and the governing body wanted to increase that by 100 percent over the next decade.

As part of reaching that target NZF proposed three more A-League teams, with the first to be in place in the next six years.

Australian Professional Leagues (APL), who run the A-League, and Football Australia (FA) would have the final say in club licences in any expansion of the A-Leagues – so NZF’s aspirations could be at the mercy of decisions made overseas.

Despite New Zealand involvement, the A-League was classed as a competition played in the Asian confederation, while NZF is based in Oceania.

In a strategy document, Shaping the Future of Football in Aotearoa New Zealand, NZF said they would work with FA and APL to have the third team aligned with NZF’s player development pathway.

A South Island-based A-League club was mooted by NZF to join the Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC.

The Phoenix and Auckland are backed by private ownership groups who helped fund the clubs, so another investor or group of backers would be needed to get another A-League club off the ground on this side of the Tasman.

Auckland had ideas of a women’s team to join the Phoenix’s women this season, but it was agreed by those involved that delaying the team until 2027 was “the right time”.

NZF wanted a total of three men’s and three women’s A-League teams by 2035.

Strengthening the connection between the domestic game, professional and international football was part of NZF’s listed outcomes for the coming years and the plan outlined aligning talent development programmes and professional clubs.

Putting more money into age-group national teams to better prepare players for professional careers was part of that pathway.

Goals of having both the All Whites and Football Ferns progressing to the knockout stages of FIFA World Cups was something NZF would measure their success on.

The All Whites had a chance to achieve that in 2026 when they attended the World Cup for the first time in 16 years.

The focus was not just on the elite players with NZF aiming to be “the most inclusive sport in Aotearoa” and to have “increased diversity at all levels of football”.

NZF would target boosting Māori participation numbers to 14,000 players by 2035, Pasifika to 6500 and Asian to 15,500.

Getting more females playing was also on NZF’s agenda with a 2035 target of 60,000 female players split between football and futsal.

Increasing coaches, referees and administrators from “underrepresented demographics” was also part of the diversity push.

Having a minimum of 10 coaches move through the New Zealand coaching pathway into roles as head coaches or assistant coaches with senior national teams or A-League sides over the next 10 years was part of the strategy, as was having more New Zealand coaches and officials pick up jobs on the world stage.

There are also targets to further secure the game’s financially sustainability, with NZF committing to double its revenue to $80 million per annum by 2035. It would also double community football investment into federations.

NZF chief executive officer Andrew Pragnell said the strategy was not only about “growing football but also about doing so in a financially sustainable approach”.

“Football is in a very strong position in New Zealand right now, however, the next decade represents a huge opportunity in terms of growth and further transformation.

“We want to lead a football to new heights in a way that attracts and represents all New Zealanders and creates high quality football experiences that connects communities and inspires generations.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

World champion high jumper Hamish Kerr has capped off a successful year with the New Zealand Olympic Committee’s highest honour.

Kerr was awarded the Lonsdale Cup for 2025 after a season that delivered the World Championship title in Tokyo with a world‑leading 2.36 metre jump that equalled his New Zealand and Oceania record, as well as the Diamond League crown in Zurich.

Established in 1961, the Lonsdale Cup is reserved for the athlete or team whose impact on Olympic or Commonwealth sport is remarkable in a given year.

It recognises excellence on the field of play and the values shown beyond it: leadership, integrity and service to the sporting whānau.

The Cup’s roll of honour includes Sir Peter Snell, Sir John Walker, Dame Valerie Adams, Dame Lisa Carrington and most recently, Dame Lydia Ko.

Kerr said it was an honour to be acknowledged alongside some of New Zealand’s greatest sportspeople.

“I’m grateful to everyone who has supported me this year, in particular my family, my Athletics NZ whānau and of course the wider support from Kiwis too.

“You just have to look at the past recipients of the Lonsdale Cup to be honoured and humbled, it’s special to follow in the footsteps of so many incredible athletes,” he said.

Athletics NZ chief executive officer Cam Mitchell said Kerr was a leading light for the sport in New Zealand.

“Hamish’s impact goes far beyond the heights he clears in competition, he’s growing and shaping the future of athletics through his example, humility and commitment to our sport. This is a well-deserved celebration of Hamish’s contribution on and off the track.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the cricket action, as the third in the five-test Ashes series between archrivals Australia and England enters day two at Adelaide Oval.

Australia currently lead the series 2-0, after victory at both Perth and Brisbane.

First ball is scheduled for 12.30pm NZT

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Netball New Zealand CEO Jennie Wyllie has resigned at the end of a turbulent year, which included the controversial standing down of the Silver Ferns’ coach.

Wyllie advised the Netball NZ Board on Thursday that she has made the decision to step down to take time with her family and explore other opportunities.

“We sincerely thank Jennie for her valuable contribution to netball over the last 16 years,” a statement from the board said.

“Jennie has guided the organisation through significant change and challenge, and we wish her all the very best for the future,” said Matt Whineray, Chair of Netball NZ.

Wyllie, who became CEO in 2016, said it had been a privilege to work with talented and passionate people.

“I am thankful for the opportunities and many memorable moments. There have also been challenges along the way, which come with any leadership role. Now, it feels right to focus on my family and look ahead to new opportunities,” Wyllie said.

Netball New Zealand has had a rough 2025. The organisation struggled to secure a broadcast deal for the ANZ Premiership, the sport’s domestic showpiece.

But the biggest damage to the organisation’s reputation came in September when it announced that Silver Ferns’ coach Dame Noeline Taurua was being suspended, due to concerns in the high performance environment.

The saga played out in the media for weeks before Dame Noeline was eventually reinstated, but calls for ‘heads to roll’ at Netball NZ came from many quarters of the netball community.

The Board will start a process to appoint a replacement CEO in the New Year. David Cooper will be the Acting CEO until the Board determines interim arrangements pending the completion of the recruitment process.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the action on day one of the Black Caps’ third test against the West Indies at Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui.

First ball is scheduled for 11am.

Black Caps squad: Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper), Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Daryl Mitchell, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Will Young

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Wānaka para-skier Corey Peters is in good form as he heads towards his fourth Paralympics in the new year.

Peters has won a Downhill World Cup race in Italy following up his second place finish in the first leg of the double-header on the same course at Santa Caterina yesterday.

The result marks Peters’ third Downhill World Cup win, his sixth Downhill World Cup podium and a 21st World Cup podium of his career.

“It feels absolutely amazing. All the hard work and dedication from myself and the rest of the team is paying off,” Peters said.

“These wins certainly don’t come easy, so I’m just really stoked.

“Conditions weren’t the greatest for Downhill with snow and rain making visibility and snowpack far from ideal, but I had a good plan tactically and mentally and stuck to the process.”

The competition was with Peters just three-hundredths of a second ahead of Dutch skier Jeroen Kamperschreur.

Andrew Kurka of the USA was third.

“These World Cup wins are getting harder every year I compete, it’s just such small margins between the competition,” Peters said.

“My confidence is growing but I’ll continue to take it one day at a time and not get ahead of myself. The season has just begun so there’s still a lot of racing between now and Cortina.”

Peters is the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games Champion in the Downhill.

This double-header event marks his return to the Downhill start gate as he prepares for his fourth Paralympics in Milano Cortina in March next year.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Australian golfer Ryan Peake will return to Queenstown to defend his New Zealand Open Crown in February.

Peake described his win at Millbrook earlier this year as “life-changing”.

The former West Australian bikie gang member said returning as defending champion was “pretty cool”.

“Never got to do it before in such a significant event,” Peake said. “I’m really looking forward to this opportunity.”

The win earned Peake full status on the Asian Tour, while it also helped him secure a World Tour card through his standing on the 2024/25 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit.

“I was straight on the road, learning to travel the world again. It’s been challenging but great character building,” he said.

“Now I’m turning my focus towards my DP World Tour card. It’s been quite crazy, but I’m just looking forward to getting back to New Zealand.”

Peake said he remains grounded about his past and how it shapes him.

“Other people look at my story differently. For me, it’s just my life – something I live and deal with every day.

“It doesn’t feel as extraordinary to me as it might to others,” he said.

His victory at the New Zealand Open not only launched his international season – it also made him the first New Zealand Open champion to win a start at The Open Championship.

“I didn’t perform my best at Portrush this year, but it’s definitely something I want more of.”

The 32-year-old said he still receives support following his 2025 win.

“New Zealanders come up to me on the street now – they recognise me and say, ‘You won the New Zealand Open’. They’ve made me feel like I’m part of the country. It’s been pretty cool.”

The New Zealand Open returns to Millbrook Resort in Queenstown from 26 February to 1 March 2026.

A number of New Zealand’s top golfers have confirmed their entry including Ben Campbell, Steven Alker, Daniell Hillier and Kazuma Kobori.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand