Finalists For The 2011 Samoan Sports Awards Announced
3 February 2012
The 2011 Samoan Sports Awards finalists have been announced. Winners will be announced at the Samoan Sports Awards on 18 February 2012 at the Pullman Hotel in Auckland City.
The Samoan Sports Awards have been held every year since 1997, and this year a number of Samoan and other Polynesian NFL stars from America’s National Football League are coming to New Zealand in support of the awards.
The 2011 Samoan Sports Award
finalists include:
Senior
Sportsman Jerome Kaino – Rugby Ma'a Nonu – Rugby Ross Taylor – Cricket Khan Fotuali’i – Rugby | Senior
Sportswoman Catherine Latu – Netball Fiao’o Fa’amausili – Rugby Maria Tutaia – Netball Sarah Clayton – Rugby / league / Tag |
Junior Sportsman Bill Tuiloma – Soccer Joseph Parker – Boxing Steven Luatua – Rugby Carlos Tuimavave – League | Junior Sportswoman Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick – Netball Paige Schendelaar-Kemp- Swimming Charlotte Davis – Touch and Basketball Alisa Parker – Tae Kwan Do |
Coach of
the Year Pat Lam- The Blues Vania Lavea – Auckland Storm | Administrator of the
Year Jerry Seuseu – League Ben Mailata – Cricket |
Pacific
Sportsperson Valerie Adams – Athletics Mika Vukona – Basketball Eamon Lui – Waterpolo |
Other special acknowledgements will include the Samoan Sports Hall of Fame induction, where James Leuluai (Rugby League), Joe Stanley (Rugby) and Joan Hodson nee Solia (Netball) will be honoured. The Community Service Award will be presented to Buck Stowers of Genetics Gym for his work with the ‘Big Boys Club’, and Mils Muliaina will be recognised for his outstanding service to New Zealand Rugby.
Samoan Sports Association President Papali’itele Peter Fatialofa says “2011 was a big year for New Zealand sport. We are looking forward to recognizing our outstanding Samoan athletes at what promises to be the best Samoan Sports Awards yet. Not only that, but The NFL guys coming here are superstars in American sport and to have them come here for our awards is a huge honour and very humbling”
Tables of ten for the Samoan Sports Awards are still available, and can be purchased for $2,000 INC GST by contacting info@samoansports.co.nz.
About Samoan Sports Association
The
Samoan Sports Association is an Auckland based
not-for-profit organization recognizing outstanding
contributions made by Samoans within New Zealand sport. The
Association’s primary aims are to promote a healthy
lifestyle through active participation in sport and leisure
for the Samoan community in New Zealand by celebrating the
achievements of our elite athletes and providing financial
assistance through scholarships to future generations. For
more visit www.samoansports.co.nz
About Samoan Sports Association President Peter
Fatialofa
Peter Fatialofa is the current
President of the Samoan Sports Association, and has been on
the Board since its inception in 1995. He is a Samoan
sporting legend, having captained Manu Samoa at its first
ever Rugby World Cup in 1991, leading the team to a stunning
16-13 victory against hosts Wales in Cardiff. Manu Samoa
went on to reach the quarterfinals, repeating the feat four
years later in South Africa when Fatialofa was co-captain.
Peter played club rugby for Ponsonby as well as 72 games for
Auckland in the1980s and early 90s. He is still heavily
involved with Samoan rugby while maintaining his family
owned moving business based in South Auckland.
ENDS