Selfless volunteer up for honour
When the Rahui Rugby Football Club’s under-13 team had an influx of players this season, but not quite enough for a second team, Slade Sturmey went out recruiting on the streets.
‘‘I didn’t want 13 players just watching, so I went out and grabbed a few more so everyone could play,’’ said the O¯ taki police sergeant.
The Horowhenua-ka¯ piti mixed team didn’t win a match all season, but that wasn’t the point. Sturmey reckoned their development had been awesome.
Going that extra mile was part of an attitude that prompted his nomination for the Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year.
Sturmey reckons he spends about 20 hours a week during the season training, coaching, refereeing, playing and chairing the local rugby club and its junior management board – as well as watching the game.
He coaches teams for Horowhenua-ka¯piti, and for the Feilding Old Boys’ side his daughter Kahurangi plays in.
The Feilding team did not have a coach, so he travelled up each week for that.
‘‘I’m just doing what so many other people throughout New Zealand are doing,’’ he said.
Rugby has been part of Sturmey’s life since he started school, and he has played at representative level for Whanganui and Horowhenua-ka¯ piti.
He describes his current efforts as simply giving back for the good times, and all four children play – Jack made the Palmerston North Boys’ High School First XV, Kahurangi plays Sevens, 14-yearold Rangimarie has played for a decade and Quinn is in the under13s team.
He has gone a few steps further than simply supporting them and has enjoyed coaching a wide range of youngsters, especially the ‘‘ratbags’’.
‘‘The enjoyment I get is from seeing these kids grow and become better people.
‘‘It gives them a bit of stability and some values in life.’’
Horowhenua-ka¯ piti Rugby Football Union chief executive Corey Kennett said Sturmey was selfless with his time.
‘‘In his volunteer capacity, it’s easier to say what he does not do, than list everything he does.
‘‘He is the quintessential, multifaceted volunteer.
‘‘It’s because of his efforts that people get to play their sport, and we are incredibly thankful.’’
The awards will be presented at the ASB Rugby Awards on December 14.