Ignite Sport honours good character

Ignite Sport honours good character

Ignite Sport has initiated unique sports awards in two Hutt Valley schools it works in.

The Character Athlete and Character Coach awards will be given to athletes who demonstrate positive character in sport and coaches who model it, at Naenae College and Wainuiomata High School.

Pala Maliangi was awarded the Character Athlete Award at Wainuiomata High School. Pala was judged as an outstanding student who modelled good character, sportsmanship and citizenship both on and off the field. The First X1 captain for the past two years, Pala also coaches the schools U65 rugby team.

Ignite Sport Coordinator Kevin Goldsbury says there are great examples of athletes and coaches in the Hutt Valley who demonstrate and model positive character in sport. “These awards embody Ignite Sport’s values as a youth development organisation,” he says.

“Pala has shown commitment, leadership and is a positive influence among his peers,” says Mr Goldsbury.

The Character Coach Award at Wainuiomata High School honoured a coach with outstanding strength of character, integrity, excellence and service to students and sport. This year’s award went to Ngaire Blake, who coaches girl’s hockey.

Soe Sola was awarded the Character Coach Award at Naenae College. Soe coached the Junior Girls Netball team 2 and the Junior Premier Volleyball team.

Jack Morrissey won the Character Athlete Award. Jack not only coached Naenae College Junior Boys division 3 football team, he planned and managed the teams pre-season training with the help of another student Jack Krakosky, arranged transportation and drivers for games, sorted out disciplinary issues, attended every game and took video coverage which was made into a video for a school assembly. All this required him to take public transport to games.

“Jack showed great dedication and leadership with his team,” said Mr Goldsbury.

ENDS

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