KEY POINTS:
There are numerous stories of New Zealanders donating their lives to sports. One of these heroes is Mary Thompson, who has been involved with netball "forever".
According to the regional manager of Bay of Plenty Netball, Sheryl Dawson, Mrs Thompson is the organiser of "everything netball" in Rotorua and "helps out anyone and everyone else".
Mrs Thompson has been a representative player, umpire, team manager and board member of the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, and secretary of Netball Rotorua for the past 30 years. She is also the event organiser every year when the ANZ cup is played in Rotorua, and organises the largest netball event in the Southern Hemisphere, the Kurangaituku tournament.
This year is its 75th anniversary, and 372 teams from New Zealand and Australia will compete. Mrs Thompson has been involved in the tournament as a player or volunteer for more than 35 years.
She has not been paid for the hundreds of hours of work she has contributed to netball in New Zealand, and manages to fit everything in around her full-time job as administrator at Western Heights High School.
Mrs Dawson said that whether it be sweeping courts or organising large events, Mrs Thompson was always in the background "getting on with what needs to be done".
"Mary's always leading the way, making things happen so everyone in the community can enjoy the game of netball. Her passion is unquestionable, and her ability to make things happen is astounding."
Asked why she has given so many years to netball, Mrs Thompson said: "I suppose it's in my blood. It's just something I've always enjoyed doing."
