The annual event, presented by Active Southland on behalf of the Southland Amateur Sports Trust, is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.
Toni Green, trustee of the Southland Amateur Sports Trust, said it was inspiring to read the list of Southlanders' achievements on the national and international stage over the past 12 months.
“It's never an easy job for the judging panel and this year was no exception. There were so many great nominations from a wide range of sports,” said Green.
“The caliber was so high that there were unsuccessful nominations that in other years would have won their respective categories.”
Active Southland chief executive Vanessa Hughey-Pol said the awards were a highlight of the year.
“This is a tradition that has stood the test of time as New Zealand's longest-running regional sporting awards and we are proud to present it on behalf of the sporting sector,” she said.
“Sport plays a vital role in the well-being of our community and these awards create an opportunity to tell great stories, not only about inspiring achievements, but also about the great work sport does to make a difference in the community .”
There has been a slight change to the awards this year, with the Official and Admin categories being combined back together as separate awards after a few years.
Manager of the year sponsor BDO has been appointed as sponsor of the prestigious Services to Sport award, which will be unveiled on the evening of the awards.
This year's awards will be held on June 7 at the Ascot Park Hotel in Invercargill.
Senior Athlete of the Year: Sheldon Bagrie-Howley (bowls), Ethan de Groot (rugby), Amy du Plessis (rugby), Kate Heffernan (korfball), Tori Peeters (athletics), Leon Samuels (shaving), Tom Sexton (cycling), Corbin Strong (cycling) )
Junior Athlete of the Year: Cormac Buchanan (motor racing), Alex Crosbie (motor racing), Benji Culhane (hockey), Marshall Erwood (cycling), Kiseki Fifita (rugby), Caitlin Kelly (cycling), Fynn Mitchell (adventure racing), Jack Taylor (rugby)
Southland Team of the Year: FEAR Youth (adventure racing), Gore Interclub bowls, Southern Lads (multisport), Southland Boys' High School first XV (rugby)
Coach of the year: Shaun Cantwell (athletics), Jason Dermody (rugby), Julian Ineson (cycling), Lance Smith (athletics).
Civil Servant of the Year: Erin Criglington (cycling), Nicky McNaught (squash), Pete Pasco (cricket), Cassie Watt (rugby)
Master performance of the year: Dwight Grieve (athletics), Greg Houkamau (touch), Gail Kirkman (athletics), Julie O'Connell (bowls), Ruth Whelan (cycling)
Community Impact Award: Inclusive activity Murihiku, Kā Taoka i Tuku Iho Charitable Trust, Southern Queens Boxing, Southland Triathlon and Multisport Club