A shortlist of three nominees, two New Zealanders and one South African, has been unveiled for the IRB's Sevens Player of the Year Award, in association with HSBC.
At the end of the 2010/11 HSBC Sevens World Series, which was won by New Zealand with an event to spare, Tomasi Cama (NZ), Tim Mikkelson (NZ) and Cecil Afrika (South Africa) have been nominated for the award.
The outstanding trio were voted by the management teams of the 12 core sides who competed in all eight events on the World Series.
The winner will be announced at the IRB Awards in association with Emirates Airline in Auckland on October 24.
With 40 tries and 385 points, Cecil Afrika was the season's leading scorer and his efforts in both attack and defence underpinned South Africa's return to form and winning ways, inspiring them to Cup titles in Las Vegas, London and Edinburgh.
Tomasi Cama's tactical acumen and outstanding form as a playmaker was a major factor behind New Zealand's ninth World Series success, and he also finished as the season's second highest point-scorer with 299.
Tim Mikkelson's versatility and consistency in both the forwards and the backs was another key ingredient for coach Gordon Tietjens throughout the course of the season.
"Between them, these three players perfectly sum up the skill, excitement, pace and power on show in our international Sevens game," said IRB Chairman, Bernard Lapasset.
"All three have been outstanding players and sportsmen this season and to be shortlisted by the teams they have played against shows just how significant their individual contributions have been for their teams."
Giles Morgan, Group Head of Sponsorship for HSBC Holdings said: "HSBC congratulates the nominees for Player of the Year and wishes them luck. These individuals, alongside all their team mates and competitors from all the participating nations, have helped make this another fantastic season. Over the coming years of our sponsorship, we are excited about working with the IRB, the players, fans and host unions to further the growth of the Series and engage even more people with this competition."
