The Halberg Trust has organised the annual awards for more than 50 years, and winners are eligible for the supreme Halberg Award, the country's key mark of sporting achievement.

It will not be the first time a disabled athlete has been nominated for an award though, as the paraplegic archer Neroli Fairhall, the alpine skier Rachael Battersby and the swimmer Sophie Pascoe have all reached the final of the sportswoman category.

The awards are named after Sir Murray Halberg, the 1960 Olympic 5,000 metres champion, despite as youth having suffered a severe injury during a game that his left arm crippled.

Steve Hall, the Halberg Trust chief executive, said that there was significant support for the new award, saying: "The award will be known as the Halberg Trust Disabled Sportsperson of the Year and will celebrate the achievements and excellence of our top disabled athletes.

"Halberg Trust is proud to be the sponsor of this award as we strive to increase the awareness of our disability and sport work, which we hope will ultimately enable us to help more disabled young people to participate in sport."

The finalists of this year's awards will be made public at the start of January after the close of nominations at the end of the year.

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