Logan Brown Volunteer of the Month

 

“volunteers the ‘power supply’ in the sporting community”

 

Sport Wellington in association with our principal sponsor Logan Brown, recognises the crucial role that volunteers play in the sport and recreation sector. We appreciate that if sport and recreation organisations are to achieve higher participation rates and meet the needs of their membership, it is vital that the contributions people make through volunteering are actively supported and valued. The Logan Brown Volunteer of the Month Award recognises the value of volunteers in our sporting community. Logan Brown is synonymous with excellence and service, values which align closely with the positive aspects of sporting culture and volunteering.

The Award Each month the winner of the Logan Brown Volunteer of the Month award will receive a  Logan Brown Bistro Lunch for two for two with wine tasting options. In addition to this the winner will be presented with a certificate of recognition of their services to their sport. For more information on the award check out “the award” information.

Nominate Now

If you know of someone who deserves recognition for the countless quality time they put into volunteering then:

The Radio Network The Radio Network is now a media partner of the awards. Tune into Radio Sport (1503am) for information on the awards and the announcement of the monthly winners. This partnership represents a fantastic opportunity for your sport to get more exposure within the sporting community.

 

30 ways to RECOGNISE volunteers

Recent winners

Lauren Brown has taken over the officials’ role which is one of the toughest roles in a swim club – organizing the many volunteers who ensure race meetings happen.

With no experience in competitive swimming, Lauren has taken to the role with gusto, her positive and cheerful way has helped get people volunteering and in bigger numbers than ever before. Lauren’s efforts and 100% reliability has meant the Raumati Swimming Clubs swimmers compete locally, regionally and nationally.

Sport Wellington’s Sport Development Advisor Jamie Milne says “clearly Lauren is having a positive impact in her community, organizing and inspiring others to ensure swimming goes ahead. Swimming and water safety skills are so important to us as New Zealanders and the Raumati Swim Club can be justifiably proud of Lauren, who goes the extra mile”.

Amanda Santos has organized beginner mountain bike rides every single Saturday for the last 3 years. She is extremely warm and friendly to anyone who joins the group and has a real passion for mountain biking.

Amanda is very accommodating to new mountain bikers, often these are people new to the sport that would get left behind by most other biking groups, teaching them bike safety and hints and tips. She takes great pride in taking them in as beginners and moving them on to the intermediate stage, connecting them to one of the various mountain biking clubs in the region.

Photo courtesy Petone Herald

Sport Wellington was so impressed with the quality of nominations for September that we decided to award two prizes, therefore Christine Barnett and Jan Quin are the Logan Brown Volunteers of the Month for September 2011.

Jan Quin (left) is a tireless member of the Sacred Heart School Petone PTA and is often seen around the school in various capacities, and her coaching, managing and organizing skills are second to none. Jan doesn’t just coach netball, manage table tennis and other sports - she coaches 'life' through sports. Teaching kids how to succeed and also what failure feels like, teaching accountability and hard work as well as fairplay and sportsmanship.

Christine Barnett (right) has been involved with organising squash ever since she started to play squash in 1996. She has volunteered on the Squash Club Committee for most of that time in a variety of roles. For the last 6 years she has been the Junior Convener for the Wellington Squash District. This involves organising interclub, running tournaments, coaching squads, scheduling, player rankings, selecting teams, website report writing, managing trips, finding sponsors and setting budgets

 

Sport Wellington proudly names Jim Kosega as the Logan Brown Volunteer of the Month for July 2011. Jim has put in immeasurable hours into the Wainuiomata and Lower Hutt sporting communities with his dedication towards sport over the last 10 years. Jim coaches, umpires and is the convener of Volleyball and Netball at Wainuiomata High School. Jim is passionate about young people and in particular has provided many opportunities for the youth from Wainuiomata High School to participate in sport.

 

John Burrows is a long standing servant of the Oriental-Rongotai Rugby Club. John has always been generous with his time in making sure that coaches and players are supported at the club. This year John stepped forward as the club’s Gear Steward and he goes the extra mile to make sure that all teams have everything they need to train, play and enjoy their time at the ‘Ories’.

 
James Gould is the Volunteer of the Month for February for his contribution to Touch in the Kapiti region. His passion for Touch is supreme as is evident by all the various roles he fulfils which are; participant, coach, mentor, referee, selector, administrator plus a Dad to three very busy boys. James is involved from primary school level through to guiding and assisting Masters teams and all age levels in between, a wonderful volunteer.

The January Volunteer of the Month is Eddie Hutchison who has contributed his services to Athletics for over 30 years. Initially he was responsible for the development of photo timing being part of photo finish. Now this unsung hero offers his services from October to March each season to ensure track and field is thriving in the capital.

The December Volunteer of the Month is John Palmer for his contribution to Masters Athletics. John has held numerous administration roles for Wellington Masters Athletics since 1992 and has been the main advocate for this organisation plus he has been the editor of the Wellington Masters newsletter since 2001. John also volunteers and assists numerous other Athletics organisations in the region in various capacity.

The Volunteer of the Month for November is Marco Renall of the Port Nicholson Poneke (PNP) Cycling Club. Affectionately known as “Mr Mountain Biking” for his enormous contribution in promoting and organising mountain bike events throughout the region including national championships and New Zealand Cup races. He constantly lobbies councils, landowners and mountain bike organisations for access and track-building including a project near his Lower Hutt residence. Marco also promotes and organises races for children’s events which have been extremely popular.
The October Volunteer of the Month is Donna Kennedy who is considered the pillar of the Wellington branch of the Riding for the Disabled Association. She is the leader that all the other volunteers (coaches and others) look to for guidance and support. Donna has a fantastic ability to relate to all the children that are learning to ride, some with very challenging disabilities. She has such an awesome personality she gets a spark out of all of them (and the horses as well!)
Jennifer Feek is the Volunteer of the Month for September for her contribution to Naenae College. This working mother of three is a member of the school community and funding group, a College Board member and manager of the 1st and 2nd eleven football teams. She assists with transportation for the cricket and football students, prepares the football facilities for competition and offer so much to the community.
The August Volunteer of the Month is Rachel Fitzsimons who organises Netball for the St. Patrick's Primary School (Kilbirnie). Some of her roles include being an active member of the School Board plus a member of the FRIENDS committee which involves raising funds for the school. Rachel has supported and promoted sport in this small school for a number of years by managing and coaching the school Netball team, even officiating when required. It is through Rachel's outstanding contribution that the students are able to participate. This mother of four, one of her children being Special Needs, somehow finds the energy and time to motivate and encourage other families to support their children.

Tina Marino is the July Volunteer of the Month for her invaluable contribution for the Tradestaff Randwick Rugby League Club. She has managed almost every team from juniors to seniors and has been the club secretary for numerous years. Tina is professional, open, honest, organised, reliable, approachable to all club members and supports them in all situations. Tina is a proud member of the club and provides the family atmosphere that the club is renown for. She is an ambassador for all club members. Photo courtesy Hutt News.
The Volunteer of the Month for June is Sharron Patterson who assists Netball at Maoribank Primary School. This mother of five is very passionate about Netball and this is evident with her on-going commitment to the school where she is the "rock" for the Home and School Parents group, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, coaches netball coaches and has coached teams herself. She assists with umpiring, managing teams, organises training sessions, assists with school trips, and provides on-going support for the teachers at Maoribank school.

Janine Holcroft is the Volunteer of the Month for May. She organises and produces notices and information for students who want to play Unihoc. She develops teams from all age groups and recruits and assists managers and coaches for all the teams and is the gear and uniform steward for each team.
The April Volunteer of the Month is Barry Johnson who was the Team Manager for the successful Wellington Centre team that competed at the recent National Age Group Track Cycling Championships in Invercargill. Barry had no previous experience at this level of competition however his fair, personable personality and high levels of integrity ensured a quality team performance. At all times Barry showed patience and professionalism with all the eleven cyclists and other officials that made up the team which won one Silver medal and four Bronze Medals, the most won by a Wellington Track Cycling team for over 20 years. Barry is pictured holding his son Connor on the start line.
Michael Greene is the Volunteer of the Month for March. He is the founder of the "Yellow Fever" which is the wonderful support base for the Wellington Phoenix Football team. Under his direction it has grown into the best supporters group in the Hyundai A - League competition and in New Zealand sport plus he does it all voluntary. He also gives hours to his Waterside Karori Football Club as Club Captain and coaches the women's first team.
The January Volunteer of the Month is Bernice Dickie for her outstanding contribution to the Kiwi Athletic Club and Wellington Athletics. Bernice has fulfilled numerous roles for both organisations in a conscientious manner and with a pleasing smile for everyone. The former athlete shares her knowledge and expertise to all categories of athletics and she is an ideal role model for all the sports participants.
Russ & Shelley Kalivati assisted ParaFed Wellington at the recent Paralympics NZ National Championships. Their role was to manage and facilitate transportation for over 120 athletes with various disabilities including wheelchair athletes, to accommodation and nine separate sports venues across the region over a five day period. Shelley and Russ both took annual leave so they could assist at the event; they put in extremely long hours each day to compile logistics and provided an amazing shuttle service to all the participants and officials. They received high praise from everyone as they were so obliging and gave a fantastic service with big smiles on their faces throughout the event.