News
Vote now: Track and field trio in line for accolades
Commonwealth Games champions Steve
Hooker and Kurt Fearnley and rising star
Jessica Gallagher have today been announced as
nominees for the fourth annual Sports Performer Awards.
Hooker, who this month claimed back-to-back Commonwealth Games pole
vault titles in New Delhi (IND), has been nominated for the honour
of Sports Performer of the Year while Fearnley, who took gold in
the men's T54 1500m in Delhi, and javelin star Jess Gallagher,
have each been nominated for Sports Performer of the Year with a
Disability.
The nomination caps a stunning year for 28-year-old Hooker that has
seen him take out world indoor, Continental Cup and Commonwealth
Games gold, and contest all seven pole vault competitions on the
Diamond League tour.
He is the only athlete in international track and field to
currently hold all five major titles – Olympic Games, world
championships, Commonwealth Games, world indoor championships and
Continental Cup – a feat never before achieved in Australian
athletics history.
The Western Australian-based star, who trains under the guidance of
coach Alex Parnov, is now in the running for both
the Sports Performer of the Year and IAAF
World Athlete of the Year awards.
He will vie for the honour of Sports Performer of the Year
alongside fellow nominees Torah Bright (snowboarding), Todd Carney
(NRL), Alicia Coutts (swimming), Stephanie Gilmore (surfing), Geoff
Huegill (swimming), Lauren Mitchell (gymnastics), Lydia Lassila
(aerial skiing), Chris McCormack (ironman), Neil Robertson
(snooker), Dane Swan (AFL) and Mark Webber (Formula One).
Fearnley will be looking to claim his second successive Sports
Performer of the Year with a Disability award after taking out the
honour in 2009. He is joined in the nominations by javelin thrower
Jessica Gallagher, Matthew Cowdrey (swimming), Justin Eveson
(wheelchair basketball), Cameron Rahles-Rahbula (alpine skiing) and
Ryley Batt (wheelchair rugby).
The Sports Performer Awards aim to be one of the most prestigious
prizes in Australian sport, recognising the very best performers
from the past 12 months.
Unlike other major accolades, the Sports Performer Awards are voted
for by Australia’s passionate sporting public, meaning YOU decide
who takes home the top prize in each category. The athlete with the
most public votes will be crowned winner - it's that
simple!
The winners of the five awards categories will be announced at a
gala function at Melbourne's Crown Casino on Tuesday November
30, 2010.
While the winner of the illustrious Sports Performer of the Year
Award will receive $50,000 courtesy of Colonial First State, you
too have a chance to share in the cash jackpot with everyone who
votes going into the draw to win $5000 from Colonial First State
and tickets to the awards celebration.
Vote for Steve
Hooker, Kurt Fearnley and Jess Gallagher today.
For more information or to view all awards categories, visit
performerawards.com.au
Voters are eligible to place one vote each day during the voting
period.
Voting closes Wednesday, November 24.
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