How the grassroots keep on growing
The New Zealand Rugby awards aren’t all about top teams and world cup-winners... there’s still room at the table for the good old volunteers. By Janine Rankin.
WHENthe Rahui Rugby Football Club’s under-13 team couldn’t raise the numbers 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.’’
The Horowhenua-Kapiti 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. And that means he’ll line up alongside the greats of our national game at this month’s New Zealand Rugby awards.
Sturmey spends about 20 hours a week training, coaching, refereeing, playing and chairing the local rugby club and its junior management board during the season.
He coaches teams for Horowhenua-Kapiti, and for the Feilding Old Boys’ side his daughter Kahurangi plays in.
‘‘I’m just doing what so many other people throughout New Zealand are doing,’’ the former rep level Whanganui and Horowhenua-Kapiti player said.
He describes his current efforts as simply giving back for the good times, and all four of his kids – Jack, Kahurangi, Rangimarie and Quinn – are playing at various levels.
IT made sense for him to not just support them but get into coaching a wide range of youngsters – especially the ‘‘ratbags’’ – as well.
‘‘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.’’
HorowhenuaKapiti chief executive Corey Kennett said Sturmey was selfless.
‘‘In his volunteer capacity, it’s easier to say what he does not do, than list everything he does. He is the quintessential, multi-faceted volunteer,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s because of his efforts that people get to play their sport, and we are incredibly thankful.’’
Also nominated for Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year are Sid Tatana from Wairarapa Bush, and North Harbour’s Nick Mulvaney.
The winner will be announced at the ASB Rugby Awards on December 14. AND THE WINNERS AREN’T... The All Blacks, their coach, Steve Hansen – even world player of the year Beauden Barrett – have been overlooked for the big prizes at next week’s New Zealand Rugby awards. So, who has been nominated?