Friday, October 31, 2008
The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald in conjunction with Colonial
First State present the second inaugural Sports Performer Awards.
These awards aim to be one of the most prestigious prizes in Australian Sport – recognising
the very best performers from the previous 12 months. The winner of our premier award, The
Sports Performer of the Year, is determined as a result of online of votes made by Australia’s
passionate sporting fans, making it a truly public choice award. The first Sports Performer of
the Year awards held in 2007 saw Cadel Evans receive the top honours of Sports Performer of
the Year and a $50,000 cash prize from Colonial First State.
The poster of the 2008 nominees, published tomorrow in The Age and The Sydney Morning
Herald, will include short profiles on the nominees and will direct readers towards the online
voting site, which opens Monday, November 3. Not only do fans get to choose who they
believe are the best sports performers of the year, everyone who votes also goes into the
draw to win $5,000. The 2008 Sports Performer Awards will be announced on Wednesday,
November 26 at a special function held at the Crown Casino in Melbourne.
The Sports Performer of the Year nominees are:
Craig Alexander
Lance Franklin
Stephanie Gilmore
Steve Hooker
Matthew Mitcham
Stephanie Rice
Emma Snowsill
Ken Wallace
Other awards categories:
Team Performance of the Year
Coach Performance of the Year
Young Performer of the Year
International Performer of the Year
Sports Performer of the Year with a Disability
Legendary Performer
2008 sees the introduction of three new categories - International Performer of the Year,
Sports Performer of the Year with a Disability and Legendary Performer Award. Six out of the
seven categories will be determined by the public votes. The Legendary Performer award will
be decided by a select Fairfax team of sports editorial experts.
Online voting opens on Monday, November 3:
For interviews or more information:
Nadia Cole, communications coordinator: 03 9601 3144 or ncole@theage.com.au
NEWS 
