To nominate an Unsung Hero for their community service and for terms and conditions go to: www.unsungheroes.org.nz
Two months before the schoolboy season started, rugby coach Jamie Hodgetts was getting the hurry-up from keen Tamaki College students.
The 29-year-old has been coaching teenagers for seven years, and got involved with the college last year after being told the school needed a few more helpers.
He was nominated for the Herald Unsung Heroes series by a supporter who says the Auckland marketing manager puts in the hard yards getting the boys to and from games, organising sponsorship and making sure his team from the decile-1 Glen Innes school have everything they need to get on the field - from mouthguards to boots.
Mr Hodgetts, who is also taking weekend coaching training through the Auckland Rugby Union so he can get the best out of his charges, said his Year 11 students began texting him near the beginning of the school year.
"Before pre-season I was getting texts saying, 'Hey coach, are you coming back? I'll come back if you come back.' They're just awesome boys ... they're really keen.
"Tamaki College tries really hard and it has some good teachers and a good principal but not enough coaches."
Being closer in age to the 16- and 17-year-olds than many coaches helps Mr Hodgetts foster the relationship between him and his players, who will play in a feeder team to school's 1st XV.
Some ring up for chats, and all have been told they can call him no matter what they want to talk about.
"I'm not a teacher and I'm not a parent. I'm still old enough to get the respect but not too old that we can't have a laugh around.
"The kids love wrestling and that sort of thing. I'm secretly a bit of a fan so we just joke around, but when it's time to settle down and play rugby, we do."
Mr Hodgetts reckons he could have a few future All Blacks in his ranks, and feels lucky to be able to steer them as they develop as players and people.
"I had a player last year who made the Auckland under-15s. We've got a couple of stars this year who will do some big things ... huge kids who are just naturally talented.
"There are so many kids who know what they want to do. They ask about going to uni, or guys say, 'I want to be in the police force'. There's a lot of drive. It's quite a cool feeling knowing that you're helping them out."
The Unsung Community Heroes series is run annually in the The Herald and on nzherald.co.nz in partnership with P&O Cruises. We invited nominations from readers to recognise people who selflessly work to make a difference in their local communities.
Some will be selected to feature in the paper and on nzherald.co.nz. Five will be chosen to join a P&O winter cruise.
