Irene Van Dyk Guest Speaker at the 2016 Kapiti Sports Awards

Irene Van Dyk Guest Speaker at the 2016 PAK’n SAVE Kapiti Sports Awards

Good news for Kapiti sportspeople! Former Silver Fern Irene van Dyk has been confirmed as guest speaker at the PAK’n SAVE Kapiti Sportsperson of the Year Awards in May.

When asked to be guest speaker by Kapiti based, Sam McIntryre, Director of Tall Poppy Real Estate, (a sponsor of the Awards), Irene wasn’t initially available but after some discussion about the dates a comprise was able to be found.

Lions Club of Kapiti organising committee Chairman Bill Pearson says Irene’s ability to accept an invitation had been in doubt due to conflicting commitments. “But she has now confirmed she will be available on Monday May 2, rather than the original date of Wednesday May 4, so the date for the awards at Southwards has been changed accordingly.”

Pearson said Irene’s appearance will be a great added attraction to what has become a well-attended and widely respected event. “She has great appeal to all New Zealanders, and no doubt she will be a great inspiration for the many sportspeople at the awards.”

Irene commented, "It's always nice to get invited to Awards functions where everyone is celebrating their success. Clearly sport in Kapiti is excelling with some outstanding achievements and I'm really excited to be able to attend and be a part of the celebrations"

As a ‘very tall poppy’, Irene is the brand ambassador for Tall Poppy Real Estate. Event Manager for the Awards, Kirsten Kilmister of Scopevents had asked Sam at Tall Poppy when he came on as a sponsor, if he could get Irene as guest speaker. “He tried really hard last year for the 10th anniversary but her schedule was just too full to fit us in. He promised to try again this year but we weren’t sure if it would be possible – so it was pretty exciting to be put in touch with her to finalise a date that could work.”

Nominations are currently open for the 11th anniversary of the Kapiti Sportsperson Awards. Reminders are being sent to clubs and individuals and Air New Zealand have provided an Early Bird incentive where all nominees lodged by 29 February will go into the draw to win a domestic return Air NZ flight from Kapiti. Nominations close on April 1.

“So we are calling all sportspeople, coaches, administrators, officials, volunteers and clubs – to get their nominations in for the 2016 PAK’n SAVE Kapiti Sportsperson of the Year Awards. Anyone can submit a nomination including clubs, officials, individuals, friends, family and team-mates.

“Some excellent nominations have already been received from Paraparaumu and Kapiti colleges featuring students who were successful in the recent College Sport Wellington awards.

“There are a lot of deserving people in our region who should be recognised, so now’s the time to shake off the holidays and get the nominations in online via www.kapitispoy.org.nz or
by picking up a hardcopy form from PAK’n SAVE Kapiti, the District Libraries or the Coastlands Customer Service desk.”

There are great incentives to seek recognition this year. A number of sponsors have donated prizes and the supreme award winner will receive $1,000. $500 for themselves and $500 for the Kapiti-based club, code or sport of their choice.

ENDS

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