Whether coached by seasoned veterans or first time coaches, athletes all around New Zealand have the chance to say ‘Thanks Coach!' with the annual Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) Volunteer Coach of the Year Awards 2009.
The search has started for New Zealand's top volunteer sports coach with the annual SPARC Volunteer Coach of the Year Awards 2009. Nominations are open - so it's time to say a big "thanks coach". Nominate your coach and show your appreciation for the hours of hard work they put in for you and your team!
The 2009 awards feature three different categories - student, general and lifetime. Sport Manawatu, along with the campaign sponsor, SPARC, want to recognise the efforts of coaches of all different backgrounds and experience. The student category is open to student coaches who are still in intermediate or high school, while the general category is for coaches who have been coaching for a while and the lifetime category is for coaches deserving of special recognition for their many years of coaching and dedication.
All coaches who volunteer their time to coach athletes and sports teams at a non-representative level are eligible. Sport Manawatu's coachforce coordinator, Ben Valentine says; "the awards are a great way to acknowledge the tremendous gift of time and knowledge that volunteer coaches give our regions' sportspeople."
"Coaches often go without thanks for the tireless work they do, so this awards programme is a great way to recognise the work they do".
“We have had a great response so far, with over 200 nominations coming in within the first two weeks. It is awesome that the whole Manawatu community is getting behind the awards, and collectively saying thanks to their coach.”
You can nominate your coach by going to sportmanawatu.org.nz to nominate online or by picking up an entry form from Sport Manawatu, 50 Queen Street, Palmerston North.
