Ian Ferguson Takes Sparc Leadership Award At The Halbergs
Ian Ferguson has been awarded the SPARC Leadership Award at the Halbergs in recognition of his superb contribution to
New Zealand sport both on and off the water.
The award is given yearly by SPARC to one outstanding sportsperson whose sport has expanded as a direct result of their
input; who has personally raised awareness of their sport outside the sector; has a world leading approach to sport;
shows integrity; and provides leadership which is effective, focused and inspiring.
Ian Ferguson said, “I am stoked to win the SPARC award. I know that the people at SPARC put a lot of thought into this
award and really know what is happening in the sector and the work I do.
“I am very lucky too that the athletes I lead are so highly motivated that I only have to ask them to do anything once,
they trust me. We are also surrounded by a lot of supporters, including Richard Young and Marty Toomey from the New
Zealand Academy of Sport, SPARC’s high performance network, who are all playing their part,” he said.
SPARC Chairman John Wells said “SPARC is delighted to honour Ian with this award. Ian’s stature as a sportsman is
unquestionable, but his commitment to excellence in coaching, growing the sport of canoeing and also participation is
superb. Ian clearly displays the values and qualities SPARC looks for in the recipient of the SPARC Leadership Award.”
Ian has represented New Zealand at five Olympic Games and remains our greatest athlete in terms of Olympic medals won.
Ian now coaches the NZ men’s kayak team and is a director of sprint coaching for Canoe Racing NZ. As a coach he has also
achieved success, most recently through Ben Fouhy’s world championship win in 2003.
The award was presented by Don Tricker, SPARC’s Senior Advisor High Performance Coaching and coach of the three times
world championship winning Black Soxs.
Last year’s winner of the award was Pero Cameron, captain of the Tall Blacks during the 2002 World Championships in
Minneapolis.