Patterson Nominated for New Zealand Award - Ipswich Town News
Town youngster Monty Patterson is amongst the nominees for a gong at New Zealand’s Halberg Awards.
The Halberg Awards celebrate sporting achievements by teams and athletes from New Zealand during the previous year.
Patterson, 20, is nominated in the Emerging Talent category, which is "designed to assist in a young athletes’ quest to become an Olympic, Paralympic and/or world champions and hopefully one day [win] the Halberg Award”.
The midfielder or striker is up against Dylan Schmidt (trampoline), Finn Bilous (snow sports), George Gautrey (yachting), Nick Johnson (yachting), Jason Matthews (baseball), Hamish McLean (para-swimming), Maynard Peel (cycling BMX) and Campbell Stewart (cycling).
Patterson made his full international debut for the All Whites at the OFC Nations Cup last summer as New Zealand won the tournament. He subsequently scored his first and so far only international goal in a friendly in the US and has now won nine caps.
Previously with Auckland-based side Eastern Suburbs, Patterson signed his first professional contract with the Blues last season, a one-year deal with an option for a further season. He is yet to make his Town debut but recently spent two months on loan at Braintree.
The nominations will now be assessed by the judges - former athletes, coaches and sports journalists - and shortlisted into finalists.
The 54th staging of the Halberg Awards will be on Thursday 9th February at the Vector Arena in Auckland.
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