Awards Recognise the Heart of Sport

Each year thousands of Kiwis gift millions of hours of their time so others can do the grassroots sports they love.  Most sport volunteers figure they are simply doing their bit and expect little by way of thanks. But a simple message of thanks can go a long way to ensuring those volunteers at the heart of sport continue to put their time and energy into grassroots sport.

It only takes a minute to thank them with the Sport Volunteer Awards.

Send a thank-you eCard and nominate any kind of sport volunteer - whether they're a coach, referee, administrator, sausage sizzler or kit-washer - they all make a difference!

Three award winners will be selected by your local regional sports trust and win $250 of sport store vouchers. Regional winners will also be in the running for the title of New Zealand Sport Volunteer of the Year. The overall winner will be flown to the annual New Zealand Sport & Recreation Awards where they will be presented with a trophy in front of leaders of the sport sector.

Sport New Zealand Chief Executive Peter Miskimmin says "the awards help recognise people who put their hearts and souls into helping out. Community sport in New Zealand can't survive without volunteers. The awards are a way of saying thanks and letting them know their contribution has been noticed. I really encourage people to get those nominations in."

Let's show New Zealand that squash values its volunteers - Nominate a squash volunteer today in the Sport Volunteer Awards