Over 70 people who give up their time all over the country to volunteer for the good of the game have had their efforts recognised by New Zealand Football and its federations.

The spotlight turned to such dedicated individuals in June as the annual National Volunteer Week was held by Volunteering New Zealand, who each year seek to recognise and celebrate the vital contribution of the country’s approximately 1.2 million volunteers to sport, social development, the economy and the environment.

New Zealand Football marked the week with a federation-based recognition initiative that has resulted in some of the sport’s most deserving volunteers being thanked for their efforts. A total of $3,500 in MTA gift vouchers was provided by New Zealand Football and these have now been awarded to worthy recipients from each of the seven federations.

At least ten volunteers from every region were singled out for their admirable commitment to the beautiful game but there were hundreds to choose from after a record-breaking reaction to the nomination process from the footballing public.

“We are delighted to acknowledge the contribution of these fantastic volunteers who help make football and futsal happen week-in, week-out across the country,” says New Zealand Football Community Development Manager Jamie Milne.

“We are really proud of these people and I want to thank them for their commitment, effort and ongoing contributions. This is always my favourite time of the year, reading the hundreds of inspiring stories of our people around the country in urban and rural communities,” he adds.

“It was particularly interesting seeing the number of nominations from non-urban centres this year. Also of great interest were the many administrators and club-based referees nominated this year, which highlights people acknowledging there are many facets of volunteerism which make our game flourish.”

Among the recipients in each region were a number of heart-warming stories that serve to highlight the selfless work that goes on behind the scenes to keep grassroots football ticking over.

“It was very humbling reading the stories behind the nominations and I wish we could highlight all of our wonderful nominated people – some of whom were nominated multiple times,” Milne says.

“I would encourage clubs to place a greater emphasis on acknowledgement of their volunteers going forward through newsletters, noticeboards, prize-givings and social media shout-outs throughout the season,” he continues.

“Thanks to those who took the time to nominate people, the federations for their support and a huge thank you to each and every football volunteer who has contributed to our sport in 2019. We have a snapshot through this process of awesome football-related mahi up and down the country – it’s very inspiring.”

The full list of MTA voucher recipients for their sterling volunteering efforts is as follows:

Northern Football: Kelly Richardson (Whangarei), Greg Hanton (Forrest Hill Milford United), Steve Barker (Glenfield Rovers), Geof Gray (Hibiscus Coast), Buddy Parone (Kaikohe), Jodie Scott (Kerikeri), Michael Witt (North Shore United), Dave Bodley (Oratia United), Tracey Vye (Te Atatu), Franco Cardinali (Waitemata)

Auckland Football: Dave Johnson (Papakura City), Geoff Bilbee (Waiheke United), Chris Thurston (Ellerslie), Kelvin Davies (Onehunga Mangere United), Paul Hill (Ellerslie), Dean Ihaia (Pukekohe), Gary Whitton (Fencibles United), Claire Elson (Papakura City), Scott Ebbett (Onehunga Sports), Angie Dougal (Metro)

WaiBOP Football: Andrew Gibbs (Ngongotaha/Tauranga City), Ann Baker (Blue Rovers Juniors), Brendan Were (North King Country Juniors/St Joseph’s Catholic School), Clive Luckhurst (Otonga Road), Jared Williams (Ngaruawahia United), Katherine Don (Hillcrest United), Mark Collins (Mercury Bay), Tarena Ranui (Melville United/Ngaruawahia United), Toni Johnson (Te Puke Juniors), Warren Jones (Claudelands Rovers)

Central Football: Adrian Smith (Marist), Cheryl Courtney (Woodleigh), Madison Buchanan (Palmerston North Marist/Tiritea School/Palmerston North Intermediate School), Matthew Good (Levin), Peter Czerwonka (Wanganui Athletic), Quentin Mill (Gisborne Intermediate School), Rose Davidson (Wanganui City), Ruth Katene (Taradale), Spencer Salt (Peringa), Vicky Peffer (Western Rangers Hastings)

Capital Football: Brad Edwards (North Wellington Juniors), Moira Stewart (Onslow Juniors), Matt Timperley (Carterton Juniors), Terry Hills (Seatoun), Gary Hewson (Greytown Juniors), Mike Yates (Lower Hutt City) , Leanne Smith (Wainuiomata), Justine Empson (Wellington United), Greg Finch (Brooklyn Northern United Juniors), Iain Guest (Kapiti Coast United)

Mainland Football: Emma Croft (Western United), Grant Woolhouse (Waimakariri United), Jacob Allen (St Thomas’s), Matt Holmes (St Albans/Shirley), Megan Blondell (Selwyn United), Owen Diggons (Nomads United), Peter and Debbie Skinley (Parklands United), Sean Tewhata Wallace (Hornby United), Tim Morgan (FC Twenty 11), Tracey Page (Waimakariri United)

Football South: Renee Bacon (Roslyn Wakari), Rochelle Weller (Gore Wanderers), Wendy Boniface (Winton), Lynn King (Green Island), Carly Blackbourn (Queenstown Juniors), James Taylor (Grants Braes), Nic Mair (Dunedin Technical), Bob Ormiston (South Canterbury), Hayden Wederell (Pleasant Point), Philip Kelly (Maori Hill Country)

Article added: Wednesday 10 July 2019