The Halberg awards (currently branded the Westpac Halberg awards) are a set of awards given annually recognising New Zealand's top sporting achievements.
The annual award was started in 1949 by NZ Sportsman magazine founder Jack Fairburn. The original inscription on the trophy was Fairburn’s words: "The New Zealand Sportsman’s Trophy to be awarded annually to the New Zealand athlete whose personal performances or example, has had the most beneficial effect on the advancement of sport in the country". Awarding of the New Zealand Sportsman’s Trophy ceased along with publication of NZ Sportsman in 1960.
The trophy was restarted by The Halberg Trust (named for athlete Sir Murray Halberg), which amended the wording of the inscription in line with the manner in which it granted the Award. The Awards are presented at a dinner which traditionally rotates between the New Zealand cities of Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland, and which in recent years has been broadcast live on television. The award was expanded to include Westpac Sportswomen of the year, Westpac Team of the year, SPARC Coach of the year as well as the Lion Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award and Leadership Awards. The award was eventually renamed in Murray Halberg's honour, and since then the supreme award has been known as the Halberg award.
The Awards help the Halberg Trust to raise funds, which are then used to provide opportunities for young people with disabilities to be active in sport or active leisure pursuits of their choice.
Read more about Halberg Awards: Winners