Finalists for the 2009 Central Energy Trust Manawatu Sportsperson of the Year Awards have been announced, with nine local faces in the running to become this year's award winner.

Aaron Cruden, Kris Gemmell, Stuart Houltham, Peter Michael, Emily Naylor, Feona Sayles, Kayla Sharland and Ross Taylor have been named as finalists along with Jesse Sergent who was the 2008 Sportsperson of the Year.

The winners of the six categories (Sportsperson of the Year, Junior Sportsperson of the Year, Sports Team of the Year, Sports Coach of the Year, Official of the Year and Administrator of the Year) will be named at an awards ceremony held on Friday November 13 at the Awapuni Function Centre in Palmerston North.

With a theme of 'unlucky sporting moments,' guest speaker for the ceremony will be the inspirational Tony Christiansen, a double amputee whose accomplishments include, climbing Africa's highest mountain, becoming a qualified lifeguard and a Paralympic Gold Medallist

Tickets for the awards, which include a three course dinner, are on sale now and are available from Sport Manawatu at $60 (single) or $400 for a table of eight.

The Central Energy Trust Sportsperson of the Year Awards have been run by Sport Manawatu for the past 21 years. The awards recognise the achievements of athletes, coaches, officials and administrators and encompass all sport, ranging from the local sporting hero to the elite professional in the Manawatu region.

For more information or ticket sales contact Sport Manawatu on (06) 357 5349 or visit sportmanawatu.org.nz.

Please see following page for the list of full list of finalists. Sportsperson of the Year Aaron Cruden (Rugby) Kris Gemmell (Triathalon) Stuart Houltham (Mountain Biking) Peter Michael (Inline Speed Skating) Emily Naylor (Hockey) Feona Sayles (Bowls) Jesse Sergent (Cycling) Kayla Sharland (Hockey) Ross Taylor (Cricket)

Junior Sportsperson of the Year Sheridan Bignall (Netball) Adam Milne (Cricket) Dane Cleaver (Cricket) Natalie Moore (Basketball) Ma'afu Fia (Rugby) Natalie Paterson (Table Tennis) Willie Ioane (Rugby) Bevan Small (Cricket) Brayden Judd (Speed Skating) Joseph Watts (Squash)

Sports Team of the Year Central Mysticks - Hockey Manawatu Smallbore Rifle Rep Team - Smallbore Rifle Shooting Manawatu Wanganui Junior Golf Team - Golf Manawatu Women's Community Trust Triples - Bowls Senior Intercentre Team - Bowls SquashGym PN Cousins Shield Team - Squash Sports Coach of the Year Grant Watts - Squash Karl Fraser - Squash Mike McRedmond - Cycling Yvette Mcausland-Durie - Netball

Official of the Year David Tomlinson - Hockey Joss Urbahn - Squash

Administrator of the Year Janice Cudby - Badminton David Lawrie - Football Grant Smith - Squash