Shane Christie top Nelson Sportsperson of the Year [Nelson Mail]

Shane Christie could be forgiven if he had half an eye on his cellphone during last night's Nelson Sportsperson of the Year Awards.

The Tasman Makos loose forward and New Zealand sevens representative was awaiting a call from the national management to find out whether he had to start the journey to South Africa for the third round of the world series, after the side was hit by injuries on the eve of their departure.

It was a good thing it didn't ring during the awards evening at the Hope Community Church, however, otherwise he might have missed being named as the supreme winner and recipient of the New Zealand Community Trust Sportsperson of the Year, as well as Nelson Pine Industries Sportsman of the Year award.

Christie was genuinely surprised at his win, saying he could not believe he had been nominated in the first place.

"To get this, is pretty unbelievable really."

For those who have seen him play in the past year or so, it was not quite so hard to fathom.

He was called up to Gordon Tietjens' national sevens side after impressing at an invitational tournament in Singapore and with Tasman at the national championships in Queenstown, and joined the team for the final two tournaments on the world circuit, including in London, where the Kiwis clinched the title.

He backed that with a stellar campaign for the Makos, where he was nominated by his team-mates as the Makos Man of the Year, player of the year by the coaches and management, as well as being the standout defender.

He said training hard, having the right mind set and the guidance of his coaches had helped him raise his game in recent times.

"Everything seemed to balance out quite well. I wanted to do my best, for the team first.

"I wanted to give it my best shot for the team and see how it went.

"It went well, I guess."

He is contracted to the sevens squad for the coming season, but missed the opening two legs with a hamstring tear. That is now better, hence his availability for the Port Elizabeth tournament.

If he doesn't receive the call, he is aiming for the next event in Wellington, after helping Tasman again at the nationals.

"I want to get back in there and get more game time."

Christie wanted to thank everyone at the Tasman Rugby Union who had helped him get to where he was today.

He also thanked his proud mum, Virginia Burns, who was in attendance at the awards.

Guest speaker was New Zealand cycling legend and 2004 Olympic Games gold medallist Sarah Ulmer, now a mother of two daughters, who entertained the crowd with tales of her gold-medal ride in the individual pursuit, her career as an elite athlete, and life away from the track.

Ulmer also commented on how enjoyable it was being an athlete in a country where sport and recreation is so valued.

"It does inspire people.

"It makes people want to get up in the morning and do their hour run before work, or just makes their heart beat and feel proud to come from this country.

"It brings us together for a really positive reason."

- The Nelson Mail