By Dave Crampton Swimming World contributor
New Zealand Para-swimmer Mary Fisher, one of the sports top ambassadors, has missed out on a nomination to the Halberg Awards after her sporting body, Paralymics New Zealand, (PNZ) omitted to send her prepared entry.
The Halberg Awards are the pinnacle sporting event in event in New Zealand, and are broadcast live throughout the country each February.
Fisher won the Disabled Sportsperson of the Year earlier this year, for the first time, after being top-ranked in the world in five short course events.
However, the administrative bungle for next year’s event in February, was not discovered until entries had closed.
Fisher has been a Halberg finalist since 2012. This year, she defended three of her world titles, was second in two others and got two short course world records at the New Zealand Short course championships in September
“Whilst Mary’s nomination was fully prepared and approved by PNZ in consultation with Mary’s coach and family, an administrative error has meant that Mary’s nomination form was not submitted,” PNZ CEO Fiona Allan said. “Mary coped surprisingly well with this disappointing news with her usual professionalism.”
While surprised and annoyed at the omission, Fisher was gracious.
“I’m disappointed for all that this has happened,” she said. “Having been informed that I’d be nominated it surprised me. I’ve had a great 2015”.
“When I won earlier this year it was a highlight of my life to share my swimming journey and thank everyone involved in it on such a large scale. It’s wonderful to connect and be inspired by other athletes and draw energy from the New Zealand sports scene.”
“I look forward to supporting the finalists when they are named…as well as celebrating the beginning of 2016: a Paralympic and Olympic Games year that is going to be epic.”
Allan said that as the top-ranked New Zealand medallist at the 2015 IPC World Championships there was a high likelihood that Fisher would have been named a finalist and potentially have had the opportunity to repeat her success in winning the award last year.
“To not have the chance to be recognised for her achievements at New Zealand’s premier sports awards is a bitter blow to everyone involved in supporting Mary. Both myself and our chairman, Dr Selwyn Maister, have personally contacted Mary to extend our deepest apologies for this error.”