Sports volunteers to get recognition

Sport New Zealand (Sport NZ) and MORE FM are encouraging Kiwis to say thanks to the 800,000 volunteers who help make sport possible in this country.

Each year volunteers give 50 million hours of their time to helping others enjoy sport. But it will only take a minute to thank them with a nomination in the Sport Volunteer Awards.

You can thank and nominate any kind of sport volunteer. Whether they’re a coach, referee, administrator, sausage sizzler or kit-washer, they all make a difference.

Visit sportnz. org. nz/ volunteers for more information, to organise a thank you or nominate a volunteer for an Award. Each one will generate a thank you e- card to your volunteer including a personalised message.

Regional award winners will be decided by the 17 regional sports trusts and will receive prizes at local events.

Regional winners will also be in the running for the title of New Zealand Sports Volunteer of the Year.

The 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 NZ chief executive Peter Miskimmin said: ‘‘The awards help recognise people who put their hearts and souls into helping out.

‘‘ Community sport in New Zealand can’t survive without volunteers,’’ he said.

‘‘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.’’