The New Zealand U-17 women's heroics at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Uruguay have been recognised with three nominations in the finalits for the 56th ISPS Handa Halberg Awards.

The New Zealand U-17 women, who made history as the first national team to claim a bronze medal at a FIFA tournament, have been nominated as the ISPS Handa Team of the Year. 

Vote for Anna Leat in New Zealand's favourite sporting moment here

NZ U-17 women's coach Leon Birnie has been nominated as the Buddle Findlay Coach of the Year and goalkeeper Anna Leat has been nominated for the Sky Sport Emerging Talent Award.

The 56th ISPS Handa Halberg Awards will take place on Thursday 21 February 2019 at Spark Arena in Auckland and broadcast live on Sky Sport. 

56th ISPS Handa Halberg Awards Finalists

ISPS Handa Sportsman of the Year

Finalists

Nico Porteous (Freeskiing)
Nico Porteous won a bronze medal at the Olympic Winter Games.

Scott Dixon (Motorsport)
Scott Dixon claimed the 2018 IndyCar championship.

Scott McLaughlin (Motorsport)
Scott McLaughlin was the 2018 Australian Supercars Champion.

Tom Walsh (Athletics)
Tom Walsh won the World Indoor Championship, Commonwealth Games and Diamond League events.

High Performance Sport New Zealand Sportswoman of the Year

Finalists

Joelle King (Squash)
Joelle King won the Hong Kong Open plus two gold and a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games.

Jonelle Price (Equestrian)
Jonelle Price became the first New Zealand woman to win the Badminton Horse Trials followed by the Luhmuhlen event.

Lisa Carrington (Canoe racing)
Lisa Carrington claimed a gold and three silver medals at the Canoe Sprint World Championships.

Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (Snowboarding)
Zoi Sadowski-Synnott claimed a bronze medal at the Olympic Winter Games.

ISPS Handa Para Athlete/Team of the Year

Finalists
Adam Hall (Para alpine skiing)
Adam Hall won gold and bronze medals at the Paralympic Winter Games.

Corey Peters (Para alping skiing)
Corey Peters claimed bronze at the Paralympic Winter Games.

Scott Martlew (Para canoe racing)
Scott Martlew earned a silver medal at the Canoe Sprint World Championships.

Sophie Pascoe (Para swimming)
Sophie Pascoe won five gold and two silver medals across the Pan Pacific Para Swimming Championships and Commonwealth Games.

ISPS Handa Team of the Year

Finalists

All Blacks Sevens (Rugby Union)
The All Blacks Sevens team won the Sevens Rugby World Cup and gold at the Commonwealth Games.

Black Ferns Sevens (Rugby Union)
The Black Ferns Sevens team won the Sevens Rugby World Cup and gold at the Commonwealth Games.

NZ Football Under 17 Women (Football)
The NZ Football Under 17 Women finished third at the FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup

NZ Women's Kayaking Team (Canoe racing)
The NZ Women’s Kayaking Team claimed silver at the Canoe Sprint World Championships.

Vantage Black Sticks Women (Hockey)
The Vantage Black Sticks Women hockey team claimed gold at the Commonwealth Games and silver in the Hockey World League.

Buddle Findlay Coach of the Year

Finalists

Allan Bunting (Rugby Union)
Allan Bunting led the Black Ferns Sevens team to World Cup and Commonwealth Games gold.

Clark Laidlaw (Rugby Union)
Clarke Laidlaw led the All Black Sevens team to World Cup and Commonwealth Games gold.

Gordon Walker (Canoe racing)
Gordon Walker led Lisa Carrington and the NZ Women's Kayaking team to their medal haul at the Canoe Sprint World Championships.

Joe Schmidt (Rugby Union)
Joe Schmidt coached the Ireland Rugby Team through to win the Six Nations Championship, a test match win against the All Blacks and a series win over Australia.

Leon Birnie (Football)
Leon Birnie coached the NZ Football Under 17 Women's Football team to third place at the FIFA Under 17 Women's World Cup.

Sky Sport Emerging Talent Award

Finalists

Amelia Kerr (Cricket)
Amelia Kerr made history hitting 232 not out against Ireland - the highest individual score ever posted in women's ODI.

Anna Leat (Football)
Anna Leat competed in the NZ Football Under 20 and Under 17 Football Ferns teams.

Josh Armit (Yachting)
Josh Armit won gold at the Youth Sailing World Championships.

Lewis Clareburt (Swimming)
Lewis Clareburt claimed a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games.

Maddison-Lee Wesche (Athletics)
Madison-Lee Wesche won gold at the Under 20 IAAF World Championships.

Article added: Thursday 10 January 2019