New Zealand Sport And Recreation Award Winners Announced

Media Release

New Zealand Sport And Recreation Award Winners Announced

Excellence across the sport and recreation sector has been recognised tonight with the presentation of the New Zealand Sport and Recreation Awards in Rotorua.

Hockey New Zealand Chief Executive Hilary Poole has won the C.K. Doig Leadership Award for her role in moving that sport forward significantly, across a number of areas in the last year.

In 2011, the number of hockey players, coaches and officials all grew. The Black Sticks men maintained their world ranking and the national women’s team improved to sixth in the world. A junior programme was introduced and the profile of the sport in this country was raised through the successful hosting of the Owen G Glenn FIH Champions Trophy.

“This was all possible because, under Hilary’s leadership, Hockey NZ executed an impressive strategic plan, positioning the sport to achieve major long-term benefits. She leads a high- performing executive team and is respected for clarity of purpose and communication, and because she delivers results,” Sport NZ Chief Executive Peter Miskimmin said.

Lifetime Achievement awards were presented to Peter Dale, former Chief Executive of the Hillary Commission and now Chair of the New Zealand Community Trust; cricket veteran Patricia McKelvey (CNZM, MBE) and former All White and long-time Chief Executive of Sport Wellington, Paul Cameron.

“These award winners have all shown an enduring commitment to promoting the benefits of sport and recreation to all New Zealanders. They represent the pillars on which our sporting culture is built. We thank them deeply for their contributions,” Peter Miskimmin said.

Hockey NZ was also recognised for its successful running of the Owen G Glenn FIH Champions Trophy, which took the award for Event Excellence, while the award for best Commercial Partnership went to the Winter Games New Zealand Trust and Tourism New Zealand, for the 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games.

Details on all of the award winners follow.

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Media Contact:

Laurie Edwards, Manager Marketing and Communication, Sport NZ

Phone: 027 447 0255 or email: laurie.edwards@sportnz.org.nz

Sport NZ is the government agency charged with promoting, encouraging and supporting sport and physical recreation in New Zealand.

COMMERCIAL PARTNERSHIP

Winter Games New Zealand Trust – Tourism New Zealand

Winter Games New Zealand knew Tourism New Zealand didn’t partner with domestic events, but a strategic partnership with the tourism body was critical to amplifying its profile as a premier international winter sports event. By presenting a compelling vision for the event’s future the Games were able to secure Tourism New Zealand in a ground breaking naming rights partnership. Integrating the 100% Pure New Zealand brand through all aspects of the marketing mix, and delivering an aligned marketing campaign the partners attracted 1,400 competitors and management from 36 countries and more than 1,500 international visitors. The partnership brought the 100% Pure New Zealand brand image to the fore, and firmly established New Zealand and the 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games on the international winter sports scene.

COMMUNICATION EXCELLENCE

Triathlon New Zealand

Without a traditional club base, connecting with members is challenging for sports. However, Triathlon New Zealand has utilised a multi-channel strategy to build a strong and growing triathlon community throughout 2011. Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have been used extensively to create a genuine sense of community around the exciting ‘TRIBE’ brand. A well maintained database and website ensures Triathlon New Zealand’s communications are targeted and nimble, as evidenced with their effective management of criticism in social media of decision around the venue for its Long Distance National Championships. Other channels utilised in 2011 included a 10-episode television series following the Contact Tri series, with a 'text to join' campaign, and a partnership with the bimonthly New Zealand Triathlon and Multisport magazine.

COMMUNITY IMPACT

ActivAsian – Harbour Sport; Auckland/North Shore associations for Golf, Badminton, Netball, Petanque, Volleyball, Squash, Tennis, Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Club; Waitemata DHB.

The changing demographics on the North Shore prompted Harbour Sport to target better engagement with the large and growing Asian community, a challenge the Waitemata DHB had also identified. The two organisations networked with relevant ethnic community groups then, sharing information and resources, began to better promote sport and recreation opportunities to the Asian population utilising Chinese and Korean languages and media, and with sensitivity to cultural differences within their respective communities. Collaborating with eight regional sport organisations the programme was able to reduce barriers for Asian’s to engage in club sport. The programme’s monitoring and evaluation has clearly demonstrated its efficacy and the model from consultation to delivery has been carefully documented to enable replication in or to other communities.

INNOVATION EXCELLENCE

Otago Secondary Schools Sports Association – Sports Council

The Otago Secondary Schools Sports Association has developed an effective school sport model with its ‘Sports Council’ initiative. With councils comprising teachers, students, school management, a board member, and prominent business and community leaders each council is bringing focus and drive to the development of school sport. While sports councils are not new, it is the region wide (all but two small rural schools have a council), well-structured, and well-monitored nature of this initiative that breaks new ground. The councils have led to school sport enjoying greater investment, an improved profile, and better community engagement. With a comprehensive system in place, Otago student participation in sport grew three per cent in 2011 alone bucking a national downward trend. The model is attracting strong interest from other regions.

EVENT EXCELLENCE

Owen G Glenn FIH Champions Trophy – Hockey New Zealand

With only a few months to organise the Owen G Glenn FIH Champions Trophy after it was shifted from India, Hockey New Zealand had to bring their ‘A’ game. This was a significant opportunity to benefit both the profile and development of New Zealand hockey, and the Men’s Black Sticks. However, with just 14 weeks to deliver the event, Hockey New Zealand was up against it. The resulting event was outstanding. Ticket sales exceeded targets by 275% (including 50% of tickets being sold outside Auckland), the event finished with a surplus, media coverage of hockey increased by 130% quarter on quarter, and the FIH gave the event a glowing review, helping to build Hockey New Zealand’s reputation internationally.

C.K. DOIG LEADERSHIP AWARD

Hilary Poole – Hockey New Zealand

Hockey New Zealand chief executive Hilary Poole was given a mandate in 2011 to transform the profile, positioning and performance of Hockey. With enormous energy and professionalism she led the development and execution of an impressive strategic plan, repositioning the sport for long-term benefits. In 2011, under her leadership, players also grew by 7%, coaches by 4% and officials by 10%. In 2011, the Black Sticks Men maintained their ranking and the Black Sticks Women rose to sixth in the world (securing a bronze at the Champions Trophy), a junior programme was introduced, and the profile of New Zealand hockey was raised through hosting the successful Champions Trophy. Hilary attracts and leads a lean, high performing executive team. She is respected by all the stakeholders for her clarity of purpose and communication and because she delivers results.

The C.K. Doig Leadership Award, recognising excellence in sport leadership, has been named in honour of the late Christopher Doig. This award is made possible through the work of the C.K. Doig Memorial Trust.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Patricia McKelvey

Patricia McKelvey played 15 women’s cricket Test matches for New Zealand, captaining the side in all of them. Her Test career from 1966 to 1979 included Tests against England, Australia, South Africa and India. She has been awarded an MBE for services to Women's cricket, and a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Education. A former Physical Education teacher and Principal of Wellington High School, she has served on the Victoria University Council and the boards of the Correspondence School, Electra Limited, Barnardos New Zealand and Bowls New Zealand. She is a Life Member of both New Zealand Cricket and Cricket Wellington.

Peter Dale

Peter is the Chairman of the New Zealand Community Trust Board and former Chief Executive of the Hillary Commission and New Zealand Golf. After a career in sports administration, he now lives on a farm in Te Horo on the Kapiti Coast, dividing his time between farming, consulting to sporting organisations and writing fiction – he has published four novels. He is chair of the Sports Turf ITO and a consultant to Sport New Zealand and NZ Golf, as well as director of two companies. In addition, Peter remains a keen member of the Waikanae Golf Club, Waikanae Boating Club, and QE2 National Trust.

Paul Cameron

Paul Cameron’s list of achievements is lengthy, not only in sports administration, where his contribution has been outstanding. A former All White, Paul got two caps debuting against New Caledonia in 1972. After stints of teaching and owning a sports shop, he became chief executive of Sport Wellington, stepping down from the role last year after 15 years in the job. Some of the successes of his tenure include the AMI Round the Bays, the Dominion Post Sportsperson of the Year awards and the new $47 million Kilbirnie Sports Centre. He remains a committed member of the Halberg Trust.

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