New Zealand: Hockley on winning run (26 Sep 1998)
Cricketer Debbie Hockley added to an almost staggering list of honours when she was named the 1998 Canterbury of New Zealand Sportsperson of the Year at the awards dinner in the International Antarctic Centre
26-Sep-1998
26 September 1998
Hockley on winning run
The Christchurch Press
Cricketer Debbie Hockley added to an almost staggering list of
honours when she was named the 1998 Canterbury of New Zealand
Sportsperson of the Year at the awards dinner in the International
Antarctic Centre.
The awards covered the period from March 1, 1997, to March 31, 1998.
Described variously by sports journalists as "Batwoman" and
"Superbat", Hockley seems to have been almost perpetually in the
limelight over the last year.
As well as being the first woman to win the New Zealand Cricketer of
the Year award, Hockley took top sportsperson honours at the
Canterbury Summer Sports Awards in May for the second year running.
A national representative for 19 years, Hockley stood tall at the
last women's World Cup in India, helping the New Zealand team to the
final with a batting average of 79, including two centuries.
She also led Canterbury to its 19th national title in the last 20
years.
For the supreme award last night, Hockley held off the rugged
Canterbury rugby captain, Todd Blackadder, who took the top sportsman
award after leading Canterbury to the NPC first division title.
In the sportswoman category Hockley was up against New Zealand
women's hockey captain Anna Lawrence, and world-ranked duathlete
Debbie Nelson.
For the sportsman award, Blackadder faced cricketer Chris Harris,
middle-distance runner Shaun Farrell, and All Black halfback Justin
Marshall.
It was a good night for rugby, Blackadder also collecting the
personality award, and the Canterbury NPC squad the team award. As
well, Canterbury mentors Rob Deans and Steve Hansen were named as the
top coaches.
Nagano Paralympic alpine skiing gold medallist Kevin O'Sullivan was a
popular winner of the disabled sportsperson or team award.
The full list of awards was:
Sportsman: Todd Blackadder (rugby).
Sportswoman: Debbie Hockley (cricket).
Sportsperson of Year (over-all winner): Hockley.
Team: Canterbury NPC rugby team.
Junior sportsperson: Kris Gemmell (triathlon).
Junior sportswoman: Helen Norfolk (swimming).
Junior team: Christ's College under-19 rowing eight and Rangi Ruru under-19 eight.
Disabled sportsperson-team: Kevin O'Sullivan (skiing).
Coach (including referees and umpires): Rob Deans and Steve Hansen (rugby).
Administrator: Jane Clarke and Avril Enslow (gymnastics).
Personality: Blackadder.
Event promotion: Showtime Canterbury.
Patron's award: Reon Murtha.
Sportswoman: Debbie Hockley (cricket).
Sportsperson of Year (over-all winner): Hockley.
Team: Canterbury NPC rugby team.
Junior sportsperson: Kris Gemmell (triathlon).
Junior sportswoman: Helen Norfolk (swimming).
Junior team: Christ's College under-19 rowing eight and Rangi Ruru under-19 eight.
Disabled sportsperson-team: Kevin O'Sullivan (skiing).
Coach (including referees and umpires): Rob Deans and Steve Hansen (rugby).
Administrator: Jane Clarke and Avril Enslow (gymnastics).
Personality: Blackadder.
Event promotion: Showtime Canterbury.
Patron's award: Reon Murtha.
Source :: The Canterbury Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)