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24th May 2010

Skier Adam Hall made history Friday night when he became the first Paralympian to be named the Otago Sportsperson of the Year.

Adam Hall accepted his award crediting friends, family and his supporters as well as his coaches and support crew in Vancouver.  He also made special mention of his mother Gayle Hall.

It is an extreme honour and privilege to be named both Otago sportsman of the year and Otago sports person of the year, said Hall.

To be recognised among top internationally renowned athletes is huge and goes far towards paying dividends in the hard work that has been put into my ski racing career not only from me but also from the team that was in Vancouver and the many organisations and sponsors that made this all possible.

The support I have received from my home turf here in the Otago region has been extraordinary.

Halls snow sports journey began as a young child when he was introduced through Disabled Snow Sports Otago, a division of Disabled Snowsports (now Adaptive Snow Sports New Zealand).

Adaptive Snow Sports Manager, Libby Blackley, was in Vancouver in March to watch Hall achieve his life long dream of Paralaympic Gold.

It was inspiring, said Blackley.

Adam has worked incredibly hard over a number of years to reach the pinnacle in his sport and we are thankful to Sport Otago for recognising this achievement.

The exposure garnered by Hall has been incredible and has opened the door to so many disabled people of all ages who now can see that anything is possible.

For only the second time since it was added to the awards in 2005, someone other than freeskier Jossi Wells won the junior sportsperson of the year award.

Snowboarder Kendall Brown won the award after career-best results on the World Cup circuit and her 15th place in the half pipe at the Vancouver Winter Olympics, after twice dislocating her shoulder in qualifying.

The surprise on Browns face when her name was announced was apparent. She was certain that the award would once again go to teammate Jossi Wells.

Im absolutely stoked, said Brown.

I never expected it.  To receive this award is such an honour.

Im still completely overwhelmed. Its been an awesome night.

Browns coach Tom Willmott, who himself was one of three finalists for coach of the year, was pleased to see Brown recognised for her achievements amongst the wider sporting community in Otago.

With snow sports represented in four of the nominations during the night, it is again a reflection of the importance of snow sports to Otago and New Zealand and a testament to the world-class facilities and athletes we are fortunate to have, said Willmott.

To read more about the awards, click here for an article that appeared in Saturdays Otago Daily Times.