• Howick and Pakuranga Times
But this week could be viewed as one of the more pleasant in her 25 years. She’s in line to collect three major prizes for her feats in the shot put circle and what she does for the wider New Zealand community, such as in her role as ambassador for Hospice South Auckland.
Last night, at a gala function in Auckland, Vili was a finalist in the inaugural New Zealander of the Year award.
The Pakuranga Athletic Club member, who works in the Macleans College physical education department, had the honour of being one of only three finalists, along with scientist and inventor Ray Avery of Auckland, and businessman and philanthropist Sir Stephen Tindall.
Tonight, at the national sports prize-giving – the 2009 Westpac Halberg Awards – Vili is a finalist for the Sportswoman of the Year award. If she collects it ahead of swimmer Sophie Pascoe, cyclist Alison Shanks and BMX cyclist Sarah Walker, Vili automatically becomes a finalist for the Supreme prize, selected from the winners of all categories.
Vili’s mentor and talented coach, Kirsten Hellier, also a physical education instructor at Macleans College, is again nominated as Coach of the Year, after winning the prize last year following Vili’s gold medal winning performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
A special prize is also up for grabs tonight at the Halbergs – Sports Champion of the Decade, to be presented by 1996 Olympic swimming gold medallist Danyon Loader.
Halberg Trust chairman Mike Jeffcoat says judges for the Sports Champion of the Decade have been asked to take into account performances by the competitors over the full 10-year cycle, 2000-2009. The judging panel is also a line-up of New Zealand sporting household names, Sir Richard Hadlee, Loader, Mike Stanley, Ramesh Patel, Ron Cheatley and Ron Palenski.
The finalists for the decade champion prize are the biggest names in New Zealand sport. They are Vili, rower and America’s Cup yachtie Rob Waddell, rowing twins Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell, the Tall Blacks basketball team (2002), and the Silver Ferns netball side (2003).
Other champion finalists are cyclist Sarah Ulmer, golfer Michael Campbell, and sculls rower Mahe Drysdale.
Vili is the Olympic, Commonwealth and world indoor and outdoor shot put champion, who has dominated the women’s event around the world in recent years, including an unbeaten record at athletics meets globally over the past two years.
Vili was the Supreme award winner last year, after being voted best Kiwi sportswoman for 2008.
2009 Halberg Award finalists
Sportsman of the year: Scott Dixon (motor sport), Mahe Drysdale (rowing), Duncan Grant (rowing), Richie McCaw (rugby), Daniel Vettori (cricket).
Sportswoman of the year: Sophie Pascoe (swimming), Alison Shanks (cycling), Valerie Vili (athletics), Sarah Walker (BMX cycling).
Sports team of the year: All Whites (football), Eric Murray and Hamish Bond (rowing), Storm Uru and Peter Taylor (rowing), Alexandra Maloney and Bianca Barbarich-Bacher (420 class sailing).
