Volunteer Coach of the Year Awards 2007

MEDIA RELEASE

27 June, 2007

“THANKS COACH!”
Nominations open today for
Wattie’s Volunteer Coach of the Year Awards 2007

Whether coached by lifetime veterans or season beginners, sports players around New Zealand have the chance to say ‘Thanks Coach!’ with the fourth annual Wattie’s Volunteer Coach of the Year Awards.

The 2007 awards feature four new categories – student, newcomer, general and lifetime. Award sponsors Wattie’s and SPARC want to recognise the efforts of coaches of all different backgrounds and experience. The student and newcomer categories are open to school aged or beginning coaches, while the general and lifetime categories are for coaches with a number of years’ experience under their belts.

Chief judge and SPARC national coaching consultant Mike McHugh says these categories reflect the rich variety of New Zealand’s volunteer coaches.

“Nearly 70,000 volunteer coaches nationwide willingly give their time week in, week out to help young New Zealanders enjoy sport, and do it for nothing more than the enjoyment it provides,” says Mike.

“Many people are happy to teach the skills of a game, but a coach’s role often also becomes game referee, substitute parent and team taxi-driver. Thousands of young sportspeople are able to enjoy, and excel at, their chosen sport thanks to the commitment of coaches, and these awards are a way volunteer coaches can be given the big thumbs up.”

Wattie’s General Manager of Marketing, Mike Pretty, says Wattie’s is proud to highlight the massive and often unsung contribution that volunteer coaches make in the community.

“Coaches come from all backgrounds and walks of life, and we were eager to reflect that with the new categories. Experienced coaches deserve recognition for their long-term commitment, while students and newcomers deserve encouragement and support. Although there can only be one winner in each category, being nominated in itself is an honour,” he says.

The 17 Regional Sports Trusts and National Sports Organisations promote the awards to local sports clubs, schools and teams in the search for Regional Wattie’s Volunteer Coach of the Year finalists. The efforts and achievements of highly regarded coaches in each region are then considered by a panel of well-known judges who select the national finalists.

National finalists are celebrated at an awards event in Auckland and are in with a chance to win up to $3,000 funding for coaching development or equipment.

Everyone who makes a nomination is also in the running to win one of ten prizes from adidas.

The Wattie’s Volunteer Coach of the Year awards are open to all non-paid, volunteer coaches including club coaches, school coaches and anyone coaching at a non-representative level.

How to nominate:
 The Wattie’s Volunteer Coach of the Year nominations are open from June 25 to August 1.

 Instant nominations can be made online at www.watties.co.nz.

 Entry forms are available to download on both Wattie’s and SPARC websites or from Regional Sports Trusts.

 Awards will be given to the winner in each of the four categories at the national awards event in November. Each winner from the four categories will win up to $3,000 towards coaching development or equipment.

 Everyone who makes a nomination is entered into the draw to win one of ten prizes of sporting gear from adidas.

ENDS

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