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 an overwhelming 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 and 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.

“I really want to thank not just the winners but also those who took the time to nominate people. And a massive shout out also needs to go to the thousands of others nationwide who contribute to football and futsal. We are really fortunate to have you all contribute and put in the mahi.”

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.

“Reading these stories and those of all the other recipients who were recognised made me feel really proud to know we have such great people supporting our sport – it’s pretty inspiring stuff really,” Milne says.

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

Northern Football: Phil Auton (Kamo SC), Natasha Carter-Bing (Waitemata FC), Dene Harrison (Paihia FC), Cameron Dorward (Forrest Hill Milford United AFC), Mark Oliver (Warkworth FC), Drew Knauf (Waitakere City FC), James Smith (Hibiscus Coast AFC/Kingsway School), Penni Ward (Birkenhead United), Arahi Ruffell (Albany United), Shannon Hawthorne (Kerikeri FC)

Auckland Football: Julia Vidovich (Ellerslie AFC), Angela Yuksich (Drury United/Franklin United), Brett Toner (Waiuku AFC), Steven Cuthill (Manukau City), Joyce Leevard (Papakura City), Paul Ivory (Bay Olympic), Alan Clarke (Eastern Suburbs), Jeff King (Bay Olympic), Tim Adams (Ellerslie AFC), Brett Caddy (Papakura City FC)

WaiBOP Football: Neil Carrington (Otonga Primary School/Otonga FC), Olly Webb (Otumoetai FC), Tim Bailey (Cambridge FC), Andrea Rasmusen (Whenuakite School), Andrew Hansford (Morrinsville Junior Football), Bob Turlington (Paeroa Rangers), Brent Armitage (Blue Rovers Football), Dave McGall (Hamilton Wanderers AFC), Emma Bignell (Tauranga City AFC), Toni Schwartfeger (Te Puke Junior Football)

Central Football: Kent Woodfield (Napier South Juniors), Nicola Fryer (Central Hawke’s Bay Junior Football), Saskia Knight (Whanganui High School), Andrew Newman (Wanganui Juniors), Nicolette Adamson (Massey University Football Club), Steve and Meredith Knight (Levin AFC/Levin North School), Rebecca Holland (Feilding United AFC), Mark Saunders (Woodleigh School) , Patrick Lawrence (Hawera High School) , Andrew Barron (New Plymouth Rangers)

Capital Football: Ange Pope (Douglas Villa), Gary Hewson (Greytown Junior FC), Gillian Flower (Wairarapa United), Jackie Delaney (Miramar Rangers), Jo Moar (Wellington United AFC), Johanna Moss (Stokes Valley Junior FC), Kevin Wilson (Wairarapa United), Lance Riddell (Douglas Villa), Sean Kelly (Kapiti Coast United), Todd Collings (Onslow Junior FC) 

Mainland Football: Steve Hodson (Hornby United), Casey Hodson (Hornby United), Peter Skinley (Parklands United), Lindsay McCallum (Blenheim Valley), Jodi Gauci (Nomads United AFC), Nigel Gibbins (FC Nelson), Steve Daly (Nomads United AFC), Martin (OJ) Dodson (Methven FC), Rose Imms (Nomads United AFC), Tom Marston (FC Nelson)

Football South: Aaron Drake (Melchester Rovers), Grant Neal (Riverside FC), Steven Collins (Grants Braes), Jeremy Samuels (Otago Football Referees’ Association), David Creed (Grants Braes), Di Wardle (Meadowbank United FC), Carl Lambert (Wyndham Town FC), Jaime Linton (Pleasant Point FC), Tash Mattingly (Dunedin Technical), Sam and Tayla Baldwin, Twyla Kingan

Article added: Friday 06 July 2018