Thursday, August 22, 2013

The Thank a Sport Maker campaign is part of a partnership with the Lotto Volunteer Foundation and Sport NZ that will see the Bay of Plenty sharing in over $1 million of quality clothing and sports gear to be awarded to Sport Makers throughout New Zealand over the next three years.  

Sport Bay of Plenty would like to announce their first Bay of Plenty Sport Maker of the Month recipients. Sue Clarke (Canoe Slalom) from the Western Bay, Te Puia Williams (Rugby League and Touch Rugby) from the Central Bay and Judy Wright from the Eastern Bay of Plenty (Golf)

Dave Clarke, Coaching Team Leader at Sport Bay of Plenty said of this month’s nominations, “Not only was it was great to see so many nominations in the first month of the Thank a Sport Maker campaign but I was also blown away by the quality of the work and commitment of the volunteers who were nominated. Their contribution is invaluable to running Sport in the Bay of Plenty region.”

Our first three Sport Makers contribution to sport is detailed below. Each Sport Maker receives a certificate of appreciation and gift, presented by Sport Bay of Plenty, on behalf of Lotto Foundation and Sport New Zealand. (photos attached)

Sue Clarke, Western Bay of Plenty – Canoe Slalom

Sue has been involved in the sport of canoe slalom since here children started to paddler.  She has put and continues to put in hundreds of hours every year to grow, promote and encourage this sport in the BOP as well as nationally.  She is a very willing worker, with huge enthusiasm and a great knowledge of the sport.  I take my hat off to her for continuing with the level of input she does, given that her children are now at Uni so not involved on a daily basis with BOP as their sporting base.  A person very much deserving of a thank you. "Sue has been the main driving force in canoe slalom both in the Bay of Plenty and nationwide. She has been involved in everything from organising kids boats and gear through setting up beginner training camps where she was always 'camp Mum' through to running national teams and attending the Olympics.  Nominated by: Maryanne Washer

I have worked with Sue at all of these levels and was always blown away by her dedication to the sport and other peoples kids. I worked with Sue on the national committee for many years and was blown away when on one occasion she voted on a matter that would disadvantage her own kids in the national team in support of helping everyone else. Sue has always gone far above and beyond to help everyone and REALLY has been the MAKER of our sport over the past 10 years." Nominated by: Andy Fuller

"Sue has worked for the past 10 years, volunteering throughout the whole term. She has been on the committee almost every year, organised most races, traveled with NZ teams whilst paying her own way to be there and has played a pivotal role in cultural change within the sport. She is a main reason many athletes have started and will be able to continue to race." Nominated by: Aaron Osborne

Te Puia Williams, Central Bay of Plenty – Rugby League and Touch Rugby

Te Puia has been involved in touch rugby since 1987. He represented New Zealand at the Touch Rugby World Cup in Australia (1999) and South Africa (2011). He has traveled all over New Zealand supporting other areas with their touch modules as well as New Zealand touch. He is a national touch referee at the highest level. He has refereed at over 150 National Touch Tournaments. Currently he is the Maori coaching director for Maori touch and the Province Director for the Bay of Plenty Touch. He has dedicated his time and skills in developing new and up and coming referees as young 12 to adults. He has been involved in Rugby League since 1978. Since 1978 he has played league for a number of clubs including Ngati Pikiao. In 1987 Te Puia decided to became a league referee. Since then he has traveled all over the Bay area to contribute to the games. His knowledge and commitment to the game has earned him respect and recognition amongst many players and other referees. He is the former chairmen for the Bay of Plenty Rugby League Referees Association Incorporated and has held this role for 3 years. He has referred at over 90 Rugby League National Tournaments. Te Puia enjoys both sports, but most of all he enjoys what sports has given back to him, which is youth contributing positively in their communities. On top of being a volunteer for touch rugby and rugby league referee he has also committed many hours to his full time work mentoring young people into positive lifestyles. Nominated by: Marleina Te Kaawa

Judy Wright, Eastern Bay of Plenty – Golf

The club office secretary resigned in April, and Judy has been running our club office, voluntarily, unpaid since then. Judy has been in the office 5 days a week, 9am - 4pm. Her role has been looking after all the finances, bar, members, communication, and golf competitions at the club. We are in the process of assigning a new paid office person by August, but we, all the Whakatane Golf members are very appreciative to Judy for helping when the club was in great need. Judy is a great person, worthy of many awards. (no photo available for privacy reasons)

Nominated by: Jenny Shaw

People can show their appreciation for the Sport Makers who blow a whistle, coach, balance the books or help cook the sausages for the fundraising BBQ, by nominating at:

www.sportbop.co.nz/sportmakers.

Each month three Sport Makers from around the Bay of Plenty will be selected to receive a certificate of appreciate and a prize (event jacket)

Sport Bay of Plenty would like to show their apprecaition to all Sport Makers who were nominated this month:

Western Bay of Plenty

Sheree Dodson - Cheerleading and Gymsports

Jonathan Yorke - Surf Lifesaving - Nippers

Celina Teao - Netball

Greg Swanberg - Surf Lifesaving

Jill Fuller - Cross Country, Running

Rose Powdrell  - Netball

Norma Brown - Squash

Royce Martin - Rugby

Tane Bennett  - Basketball

Eileen Harley   - Netball

Irene Wallmannsberger - Kayaking

Nigel Rippey - Sailing

John Balkwill - Football

Rob Clark - Football

Charlie Tapsell - Northern Horde and HMB TeamNZ

Delwyn Cooper - Badminton

Brent Drafting - Tauranga Boys' College

Dave Fifield - Football

Richard Kluit - Football

Amy Brown - BOP Colts

Max Heimann - Rugby

Phoebe Thwaites - Rugby

Harley Sowman - Rugby

Mike Hope - Rugby

Irene Wallmannsberger - Kayaking

David Brown - Football

Jenna McEwing - Football

Paula Farrell - St Thomas More School

Owen Barnes - Surfing

Central Bay of Plenty

Chris Campbell - Touch and Rugby

Annette Rose Nahu - Rugby League

Kim Graham – Netball, Basketball, Soccer, Rugby and Touch

Veena Shontei Whetua Kameta - Rugby League

Tayla Earle - Netball

Mark Keaney - Cricket

Steve Pittman - Cricket

Simon Short - Rugby

Lexi Hutchinson - Waka Ama

Eastern Bay of Plenty

Brendon Fahey - Kick boxing, MMA, Rugby League and Rugby

Allison Hughes - Gymnastics

Mira Amo Amo - Soccer

Craig Budd - Rugby

ENDS

For further information contact:

Melanie Short

Marketing and Sponsorship Manager

Sport Bay of Plenty

021 860 063

melanies@sportbop.co.nz

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