Unsung heroes of grassroots sports celebrated
Palmerston North Boys’ High School mathematics teacher James Ross does much more than educate students in maths. He also runs three sports at the school pool; swimming, waterpolo and flippaball. Not only does Mr Ross train students in these sports, he also opened up some sessions to people from outside the school, and he spends many hours of his own time driving teams to out of town games, and trainings.
Mr Ross had his dedication and passion recognised on Friday evening when he was named the Regional Winner of the 2009 SPARC Volunteer Coach of the Year Awards. Ross was the winner of the General Category and took out the overall award.
Ross was recognised at the inaugural Grassroots Sports Awards held by Sport Manawatu on Friday evening (October 9) at the Palmerston North Convention Centre. The awards encompassed the Sports Clubs of the Year Awards and the Volunteer Coach of the Year Awards and it is the first time that these awards functions have been combined.
Other winners were Jordan Butler who won the Student Category for his coaching efforts with the Hokowhitu Junior Football Club, and Lifetime Category winner Murray Boase for his coaching work with the Palmerston North Judo Club.
Club Volunteer of the Year Award was won by Palmerston North Old Boys Marist volunteer Malcolm Burr. As well as being the Chairperson Malcolm spent much time ensuring that the amalgamation of the two former clubs, Palmerston North Marist Rugby Football Club and Palmerston North High School Old Boys Rugby Football Club, was successful.
In the sports clubs section Manawatu Striders won the Event Management Category for the second year in a row for their work on numerous events throughout the year including the Super Seven Series which reached 1450 participants one evening.
Sport Manawatu’s club development coordinator and event organiser, Tamara Scott, says; “It’s fantastic to be able to recognise the hard work that the volunteers in our community put into sport. We have so many great coaches, club volunteers and sports groups who are providing excellent opportunities for the community to get involved in sport and it’s wonderful to have the opportunity to show them that their efforts are noticed and appreciated.”
Please see the following page for a full list of results.
The Grassroots Sports Awards function was held with support by funders Eastern and Central Community Trust, Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC), Wattie’s SquashGym, More FM and many other local businesses.
Results:
Volunteer Coach of the Year Awards Category Winners:
Student Category Jordan Butler (Hokowhitu Junior Football Club)
General Category James Ross
(Palmerston North Boys’ High School
Lifetime Category Murray Boase (Palmerston North Judo Club)
Regional Winner James Ross
Sports Clubs of the Year Awards Category Winners:
Club Volunteer of the Year Award Malcolm Burr
(Palmerston North Old Boys Marist Rugby Club)
Event Management Manawatu Striders
Volunteer Development Manawatu Triathlon Club
Operational Development Palmerston North Old Boys Marist Rugby Club
Player Development Manawatu Mountain Bike Club
Marketing Development Motorsport Manawatu
Highly Commended Awards:
Murray Matthews Manawatu Triathlon Club
Grant Smith SquashGym
Ross Murray Manawatu Mountain Bike Club
Merit Awards:
Manawatu Gymsports Incorporated Volunteer Development, Event Management,
Operational Development
Manawatu Triathlon Club Event Management
SquashGym Event Management, Marketing Development
Manawatu Striders Marketing Development
Great Forest Events Incorporated Marketing Development