Looking forward to the league season
‘‘...the ambassadors who are joining me are good South Auckland league people.’’
later this year to be a huge success, and I could not be more chuffed that the ambassadors who are joining me are good South Auckland league people.
Jim Doolan is a a great grassroots man. You can find him down at the Otara Scorpions, where he might be busying himself setting all the fields up to have the grounds ready for a weekend of footy.
He has been a player, a coach, a manager and a trainer. Doolan’s been involved in the game since 1986.
He’s also a member of the Physical Disability Rugby League, growing paths for disabled athletes in New Zealand.
How good is it that two of my three new colleagues are women.
Nicole Manihera is a diehard Papakura Sea Eagle.
She’s been involved with the club for15 years or so, so must have really enjoyed the success the club enjoyed last season.
Nicole is one of those people that every sports club needs. She’s diligent, hard-working and at the moment is responsible for co- ordinating more than 20 junior football teams in her role as Junior Chair.
She is really passionate about football, and the role league can play in bringing the community together.
The third ambassador is Annie Chan, who is a very well-known face at the Otahuhu Leopards. She’s been part of the club since 1995, starting out as a player, and graduating to management roles.
She so loves her league that last year the women’s team was a bit short of players, so she dusted off the boots, threw on the shirt, and took to the field.
That’s my kind of commitment.
She’s the Leopards’ secretary and main point of contact for the club, and has great ties to her community.