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Volunteers: The Heart of Sport

Volunteers form the backbone of sport and recreation in New Zealand. Please join SPARC and say a huge thanks to your volunteers.

Thank your volunteers – send them an e-card!

We want to make it easy for you to say thanks to all those important people who give up their time and energy to help make your sport happen. This could be your coach, trainer, referee, judges, orange cutters, uniform washer or perhaps someone who just takes you to the game. 

Send your e-card now.

 

Nominate Your Coach for the 2008 Wattie’s Volunteer Coach of the Year Competition

Don’t forget to nominate your coach in the 2008 Wattie’s Volunteer Coach of the Year competition. Anyone who coaches at club or school level, in any sport (not at a representative level) can be nominated.  Nominations are open from the 3rd of June until the 10th of July. Just go to www.watties.co.nz or pick up an entry form from your sports club or local Regional Sports Trust.

Meet our Volunteers

Each of the volunteers has had a major impact on their sports, clubs and sports stars in a variety of ways.  We thank them for the fabulous work they continue to do.

Barry Cleal


Barry Cleal was one of Hamish Carter’s rowing coaches at Auckland Rowing Club and Auckland Grammar from 1984 to 1991.  Barry has had many years of involvement with club rowing, encouraging and fostering new coaches into rowing as well as helping develop the talents of numerous rowers.


 

Keren Priscott


Keren Priscott in netball court

Keren was Laura Langman's coach when she was at Hillcrest High School in Hamilton.  She still coaches at the school and runs netball camps for the team.

Listen to Laura and Keren's radio advertisement (MP3, 1.76 MB)

Rocky Hall


Rocky Hall

Cory Hutchings’ volunteer Rocky, has had a huge influence in the Surf Life Saving community in Gisborne. He trained and mentored Cory for years and continues to nurture the sport today.

Listen to Cory and Rocky’s radio advertisement (MP3, 2.36 MB)

Jenni Brewer


Jenni Brewer holding netball Jenni was Adine Wilson’s netball coach when she was at school.  She’s still very actively involved in coaching and her community.

Vasa Solomona


Vasa Solomana holding rugby ball Vasa Solomana is Neemia Tialata’s uncle and has been an all-round helper in his rugby career, especially in his under 16s days.  Vasa has been a mentor, trainer, coach and advisor to Neemia.

Les McFadden


Les McFadden Greg Somerville's volunteer Les McFadden, has been a Canterbury Rugby Union supporter for many years. He does a lot of rugby liaison volunteering and he looks after visiting teams when they come to town. He has been volunteering since the 1970’s receiving a QSM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2006.  Les is also a Special Life Member of the Belfast Rugby Club.

Bill Kennedy


Bill Kennedy is the ultimate sports volunteer and he has been involved with basketball for an astonishing 63 years. He has played, coached, refereed and driven teams to games, just to name a few of his volunteering roles.  He still lives in Greymouth and is very involved in basketball.  He recently took on a coaching role for a team of senior women playing in the local B Grade . . . at the age of 78!

Updated | 17 Jun 2008.

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