Volunteer Coach of the Year Fact Sheet

Wattie’s Baked Beans Volunteer Coach of the Year Fact Sheet, July 2004

Volunteer coaches provide their time and dedication to young New Zealanders in all sporting codes. To recognise the valuable role these unsung heroes play in grassroots sport, Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) and Wattie’s have launched the Wattie’s Baked Beans Volunteer Coach of the Year awards!

Key volunteer coaching stats: Did you know there are 70,000 volunteer coaches in New Zealand.1 Over 25% of adult New Zealanders are involved in sports in a capacity other than as a participant. Volunteers are most likely to be involved as parent helpers or coaches/instructors. Around 30% are also involved as referees or officials and 29% as administrators. Coaches or instructors are usually men. In fact, almost half of male volunteers act in the capacity of coach/instructor. Involvement as a volunteer parent helper is highest amongst women.2

About the awards: SPARC and Wattie’s are on the search for this year’s Wattie’s Baked Beans Volunteer Coach of the Year in a nationwide competition. People currently coaching at club or school level (non-representative) can be nominated. There will be 17 regional winners, two runners up and one overall supreme winner. The Wattie’s Baked Beans Volunteer Coach of the Year winner will receive up to $5,000 towards coaching development.

What New Zealand sports people say: “Volunteer coaches contribute enormously to the creation of healthier more cohesive communities. They make a voluntary contribution to society in terms of time and effort.” Waimarama Taumaunu New Zealand Silver Fern 1981-1991 “Typically volunteer coaches are committed, dedicated, enthusiastic individuals who are making a difference in their communities. They determine that the sport experience their athletes have is a positive one.” Mike McHugh, National Coach Consultant SPARC & assistant coach to the NZ Tall Ferns “Coaching is an incredibly rewarding experience. Volunteer coaches deliver essential services to their athletes and the communities that they operate in.” Don Tricker, Coach Team Leader SPARC & Volunteer Coach of the New Zealand Black Sox

Competition details: Entries are open from July 15 to August 26. Entry forms are available at http://www.watties.co.nz or http://www.sparc.org.nz. Regional Sports Trusts also have entry forms and information. Entrants will tell Wattie’s and SPARC in 50 words or less why their coach deserves to be awarded Wattie’s Baked Beans Volunteer Coach of the Year for 2004.

1 As estimated by SPARC, 2004 2 NZ Sport and Physical Activity Surveys 1997-2001

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