Winners Announced in the SPARC Sport Volunteers Awards 2011

Media Release for Immediate Release 22.9.2011

Wellington Regional Winners Announced in the SPARC Sport Volunteers Awards 2011

Three highly deserving Wellington regional winners of the SPARC Volunteer of the Year Awards were announced yesterday morning at an awards breakfast at the Renouf Tennis Centre, Wellington.

With an exceptionally high standard of nominations in 2011, all 21 Wellington regional finalists can be rightfully proud of their achievement and have satisfaction in the knowledge that they play a crucial role in ensuring that sport thrives in their communities.

The Lifetime Achievement award for volunteering was presented to David Moss, President of the Wairarapa/Wellington Pony Club on behalf of Bruce Forbes, the 92 years old stalwart of the sport who still volunteers! David spoke of Bruce’s passion and determination in supporting Pony Club since the 1950’s at every executive role nationally and locally.

The Wattie’s Student Sport Volunteer Award was accepted by Ta’amilo Va’a, who coaches the junior Volleyball team at Naenae College. Va’a imbues this role with a sense of responsibility; making sure the team conducts itself to a high standard including being dressed in their full playing strip, displaying positive on court behaviour and being on time to training.

The 2011 SPARC Volunteer of the Year for the Wellington region was Darren Cassidy from the Wainuiomata Lions Rugby League Club. Cassidy’s commitment to the club was evident in the passionate nomination he received from his fellow club members. They noted that his “impact on the game in the community has been one of professionalism, passion and integrity,” and that he had “Re-ignited much of the tradition and mana of the club by educating the team on the clubs history and what it means to wear the Lions’ coat of arms.” Darren said he was “humbled” to receive the award and acknowledged those who nominated them, volunteers themselves, whom he said “deserved to be recognised for their work also.”

All winners received an ASB Sports Bag, a lunch for two at Logan Brown, a Caffe L'affare gift pack, a SPARC gift voucher, a Lush bath bomb and a native tree from South Coast natives.

Sport Wellington’s Community Coach Adviser, Mark Watson, said “the awards were a great way to recognise volunteers, who are the power supply for sport in our region. We were pleased to receive over 340 nominations; all of whom deserve praise for the time and passion which they invest into community sport.”

Although the SPARC Volunteer awards are over for another year Sport Wellington will continue the monthly Logan Brown Volunteer and Coach awards. Nominations for these awards can be made online at www.sportwellington.org.nz/awards.
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