Wrestling stalwart honoured
Brian Stannett awarded NZOM in honours list
Brian Stannett has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to wrestling.
Over a long and illustrious career spanning over six decades, the 75 year old has served as a competitor, administrator, coach and referee at a national and international level.
Brian’s wrestling achievements include national champion in bantamweight division 1968/1971, national veterans champion 1971, and he represented New Zealand at the NZ/Australian championships 1968.
He was New Zealand’s national coach for three terms, including for the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch where the New Zealand team won one gold and two bronze medals. He also officiated as New Zealand team manager at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, the team winning two silver medals and one bronze.
The long-serving referee was awarded Asia/Oceania Most Outstanding Referee/Judge in 1999.
Brian was national president of the New Zealand Olympic Wrestling Union from 2003 to 2008. He has also served as national selector, national treasurer, judicial panel member and director of promotions.
In 1997 he qualified as an international judge referee, is rated as one of New Zealand’s top mat officials and regularly adjudicates at international events.
He is currently treasurer of the Oceania Olympic Wrestling Association, patron and life member of Te Awamutu YMI, New Zealand secretary general of the New Zealand Olympic Wrestling Union up until February, 2018, and life member of New Zealand Olympic Wrestling Union.
At a local level, he started wrestling at YMI Te Awamutu as a 13 year old. He has been district coach, judicial panel member and chairman/president of Waikato Wrestling. He attended Te Awamutu College from 1954-57 and is listed among those on the College Hall of Fame.
Brian said he was very surprised to be among those on this year’s Queen’s Birthday honour’s list.
“I often used to joke with my mother — ‘not this time mother, never mind there’s always next year’ whenever the awards rolled around.
“Little did I know I would be honoured in future years. I have no idea who supported and sponsored me. I think it’s great for the sport. Hopefully wrestling can benefit from it.”
I have no idea who supported and sponsored me. I think it’s great for the sport. Hopefully wrestling can benefit from it. BRIAN STANNETT