Pukekohe’s Liam Lawson has been a stunning omission from the list of nominated athletes for the 61st Halberg Awards for success in 2023.
Lawson became just the 10th New Zealander – and second in the past 30 years – to make it to Formula 1 and he thrived in a five-race appearance in the second half of the season – all which fell within the counting period.
A total of 76 nominations were put forward by National Sports Organisations and an “esteemed independent Nominations Board” but Lawson was somehow not one of them.
MotorSport New Zealand confirmed that Lawson would not be deemed eligible for Sportsman of the Year because he had only finished a season-high ninth in one race, which wouldn’t meet the judges’ criteria of winning within a sport’s chosen field.
Formula 1 is quite clearly the pinnacle of world motorsport and is on a par with any other global sporting competition but that is not a factor.
The Halberg Foundation said it was up to MotorSport New Zealand to decide who they wanted to nominate.
“All Award nominations are required to be submitted by either the athlete’s National Sporting Organisation or through the nomination board,” the Halberg Foundation told Counties Sports Hub via email. “The Halberg Foundation’s role is to manage and facilitate that process, we do not nominate anyone nor do we give opinions on who should or shouldn’t be nominated. This is up to the NSO to decided who they wish to submit.
“MotorSport NZ had their opportunity to make as many submissions as they would like before closing on 1 Dec at 8pm.”
It is hard to believe MotorSport New Zealand wouldn’t want to push one of their most high profile stars but even if by some stretch they messed up on this occasion, the whole point of the Halbergs Nominations Board is to ensure a strong candidate doesn’t slip through the crack.
That is exactly what has happened.
Lawson has instead been nominated for the Sporting Moment of the Year.
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