Wairarapa's good sports win acclaim

Wairarapa sports volunteers have been recognised for regional coach and volunteer awards organised by Sport Wellington.

The Logan Brown Volunteer and Coach of the Month Awards are promoted throughout the greater Wellington region and recognise the value of volunteers in our sporting community.

Wairarapa volunteers have been successful in picking up awards in each of the past three months. Winners are treated to a bistro lunch for two at Logan Brown, Wellington's premier restaurant, plus quality New Zealand made apparel from ISC Lenco.

April's volunteer winner was Simon Roseingrave who has been integral to the functioning of Red Star cricket. He devotes hours to his club and has roles including Wairarapa Junior Committee board member, Red Star junior co-ordinator and club coach.

Wairarapa Cricket development officer Sammy Curtis said Red Star and Wairarapa cricket as a whole, "benefited immensely from having Simon Roseingrave within their ranks".

"You can't put a value on the type of contribution Simon makes. Each of us remember 'that coach' in our early years that helped to shape who we are, Simon fills that role for many of our juniors," Curtis said."

The coach award for May went to Ivan Karaitiana of the Cancer Society dragon boating team.

Chairwoman of that team, Lindy Daniell summed up the impact Karaitiana has had on the community.

"Ivan is decisive, very funny, very loyal and is always looking for the best in all of us. Not only have we become gold medal winners, we are the fittest we have ever been and we have all gained in confidence and see that there is a great life to be had after cancer."

Kuranui College student Levi Whata picked up the volunteer award for June, for his tireless work as a student coach and referee in basketball.

Regional sports director Dayle Clarkson said student coaches and administrators were often unsung heroes in the delivery of secondary school sport, and it was great to see to see Levi earning recognition.

Community sport adviser Mark Curr, of Sport Wellington Wairarapa, said: "Sport in New Zealand was built around the foundations our volunteers establish."

Sport Wellington also organises the annual Sport New Zealand Volunteer of the Year Awards and nominations for this are now open. If you have a sports volunteer you would like to see recognised, you can fill out the online form at www.sportnz.org.nz or collect one from Sport Wellington Wairarapa.