Committed local sport volunteer scoops prize for his efforts

Monday, 21 December 2015

Committed local sport volunteer scoops prize for his efforts

A well-known Whanganui sports personality has won $2,000 worth of sports merchandise and an ‘ultimate team experience’ for the team he supports as reward for his outstanding contribution to local sports volunteerism.

Jason King – a keen local football player and commentator – is one of 10 sport volunteers nationwide selected as winner of the $2,000 prize in the November ‘Thank a Sport Maker’ campaign draw.

Every year around one million Kiwis volunteer to help make sport happen in New Zealand. This includes all the coaches, umpires, managers, referees, ball boys and girls, and administrators who give up their time freely and willingly to help others play sport. In 2013, Sport New Zealand and Lotto NZ got together to launch the ‘Thank a Sport Maker’ campaign to reward and recognise these unsung heroes on the side-lines.

It’s part of a partnership between Lotto NZ, Sport New Zealand and regional sports trusts (RST’s) nationwide. Sport Whanganui facilitates the programme in the Whanganui, Rangitikei and Ruapehu region.

Candidates go into the quarterly draw for the chance to win the sports merchandise prize and an ‘ultimate team experience’ for the team they support when nominated by people wishing to show their appreciation.

Around seven people nominated Jason for the November draw to thank him for his voluntary work with ‘First Kicks Wanganui’ – an affordable 16-week football programme

that focuses on skills acquisition for 4- to 6-year-olds. Jason has been running the programme for the past four years on Saturday mornings at Wembley Park in school terms two and three.

Jason says: “I’m delighted and humbled people have shown their appreciation by nominating me as a sport maker – this, and the fact I’ve been selected as a winner, was a great surprise!

“I blame my daughter for getting me into volunteering! At age five, she loved playing with her older brother in his team on Saturday's, but was overwhelmed when it came to games because she lacked the skills to be involved.

“The following year First Kicks was being implemented, and it didn't take me long to see her grasp a love of the game in a programme designed to build skills and involvement. It was something I wanted to be involved in as there was huge potential with the programme for all kids in the region, so I took the reins and have been involved ever since.

“There are about nine or 10 volunteers helping me out on the days we run the programme and this includes parents and younger players. This acts as a perfect pathway to getting them involved in coaching as well, which is great.

“What I love most is the reward of seeing the kids develop. Some of them have never touched a ball in their life and, by the end of the season, they are loving it – kicking a ball and playing the sport. It’s worth every moment!”

Jason is also involved with the Wanganui Marist Football Club, running the training and helping many of the youth with their football goals.

Comments from the people who nominated Jason include: “Jason and his wife Christie and their team of volunteers put on the most amazing football programme”; “If it wasn’t for Jason, my son would not have learned so much about football – his confidence has grown so much since he joined First Kicks”; “The kids absolutely love it and get lots out of it and develop new skills each week thanks to Jason – he is such an inspiration”.

Sport Whanganui’s CEO Danny Jonas says: “Growing kids’ confidence and helping them achieve their personal best through sport is at the heart of what Jason does. His selfless commitment, passion, and the time and energy he puts, in represent some of the best qualities we have in our sports volunteers. Well done, Jason, you deserve it!”

Lotto NZ’s general manager of corporate communications Emilia Mazur, says: “Lotto NZ is proud to support everyday Kiwi heroes, like Jason, who help make sport happen in our communities. Without these inspirational volunteers so much support in this country just wouldn’t happen. We’re delighted to present Jason with sporting merchandise to help him do what he does best – make sport happen.”

Every quarter, 10 deserving sport makers nationwide win $2,000 worth of sporting merchandise to help them do what they do best. One of these winners also wins an ultimate team experience.

The next ‘Thank a Sport Maker’ draw will take place in February 2016, so head online to nominate a special sport maker in your life: www.lottovolunteers.co.nz.

ENDS

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