Harris named as regional winner

Team Wairarapa athletics coach Mark Harris has been named as Sport Wellington Region winner of the general section of the 2008 Wattie's Volunteer Coach of the Year awards.
Several young athletes who are coached by Harris have made their mark on both the international and national stage over the past 12 months, including such names as the Paine sisters, Vicki and Stevie, Michael Wilson and April Campbell.
The student section was won by Sarah Piper of Aotea College for her work with the Riding of the Disabled and the lifetime section by Scott Laurenson of the Tawa Linden Wrestling Club for his lengthy service to the sport of wrestling.
Sport Wellington Region Mike Walsh said the judging panel, which included Sport Wairarapa's Doug Bracewell, were amazed at the breath and talent amongst the 345 people nominated for the awards.
He said they were judged on a variety of criteria, including their involvement with coaching, the number of teams they coached and their overall contribution to the community.
The three Sport Wellington Region winners now go forward to the national finals of the Wattie awards where prizes of up to $3000 for aoching development or equipment will be up for grabs.