19 December 2005

Top officials receive Prime Minister's scholarships

Sport and Recreation Minister Trevor Mallard today announced the recipients of the new Prime Minister's Officials Scholarship programme, which assists elite sports officials.

The scholarship programme is a government initiative established earlier this year that aims to support elite officials gain or maintain international accreditation in their sport. The first round of scholarships has been awarded to sixty-one high performance sports officials from 29 sporting codes.

“Whether it’s grass-roots or world-class competition, officials are a critical part of New Zealand sport and these scholarships are one way the government can help them develop further,” said Trevor Mallard.

"The scholarships create a wonderful opportunity for up and coming officials to reach the top of their sport, and it will ensure that New Zealand continues to lead the way in producing world-class referees and umpires.

“We are committed to getting world-class results and this is achieved not only by supporting the athlete, but also supporting the people behind sport who help make it happen."

Today's scholarship recipients include top judo referee Craig Monaghan. Craig holds an International Judo Federation (IJF) International Referees Licence - the highest level in world judo – and is consistently ranked in the top ten referees worldwide. He hopes to use his scholarship to maintain his international ranking and improve his refereeing ability.

Also on the list is world-class gymnastics official Avril Enslow. Avril holds an International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Category 1 Brevet, which also places her in the top of the judging categories for her sport. She will use her scholarship to attend the intercontinental judging course to help maintain her international ranking.

Trevor Mallard said the government has committed $332,513 to the Prime Minister's Officials Scholarships programme this year.

Scholarships are available to officials who are accredited at the international level and developing international officials. The scholarships are administered by SPARC (Sport and Recreation New Zealand).

PRIME MINISTER’S HIGH PERFORMANCE OFFICIALS SCHOLARSHIPS

SPORT APPLICANT REGION VALUE

Athletics
Trevor Spittle
North Canterbury
$1,750

Badminton NZ
Lynne Nixey
Auckland
$5,777

Richard Bramley
Christchurch
$3,434

Basketball NZ
Tim Brown
Auckland
$1,737

Bike NZ
John McDonnell
Wanganui
$8,500

Dave Dijk
Tauranga
$1,130

Ian Mackie
Pukekohe
$4,410

David Judson
Nelson
$6,940

NZ Canoe Federation
Kay Dawson
Tauranga
$6,270

Diving NZ
Ann Sissons
Warkworht
$8,454

Vicki Campbell
Hamilton
$4,879

Equestrian Sports
Leopoldo Jugo
Group - Venezuela
$4,800

Nicoli Fife
Putaruru
$5,500

Sue Hobson
Pahiatua
$9,000

John Carmichael
Otautau, Southland
$9,998

Susan O’Brien
Morrinsville
$4,650

Winston Churchill
Te Kuiti
$3,800

Janice Bird
Upper Hutt
$5,292

Betty Brown
Taranaki
$7,040

NZ Golf
Graeme Scott
Porirua, Wellington
$6,607

NZ Gymnastics
Avril Enslow
Christchurch
$5,750

Marie Stechman
Auckland
$4,293

Stephen Kendall
Auckland
$5,022

NZ Hockey
Craig Gribble
Auckland
$5,300

NZ Ice Hockey Federation
Peter Haxell
Auckland
$9,398

Ice Speed Skating NZ
Pamela Gray
Rolleston
$3,100

Kelvin Nichol
Christchurch
$3,100

Peter Silcock
Christchurch
$3,100

Judo NZ
David Browne
Auckland
$5,550

Craig Monaghan
Christchurch
$6,752

Karate NZ
Robert Smith
Hamilton
$6,744

Dennis Hay
West Auckland
$6,744

Simon Merrick
South Auckland
$6,744

Kartsport NZ
Greg Kneaves
Tauranga
$8,900

Netball NZ
Amanda Nottingham
Christchurch
$7,894

Bobbi-Gene Brown
Clinton
$1,913

Alison Cormack
Gore
$2,966

Yvonne Morgan
Auckland
$3,735

NZ Olympic Weightlifting
Afatia (Andy) Baker
Wellington
$3,225

NZ Rugby League
Glen Black
$10,000

Craig Pascoe
$10,000

Skate NZ
Graeme Campbell
Hastings
$7,392

Bob Arlidge
Auckland
$5,905

Soccer NZ
David Elleray
England
$9,800

Softball NZ
Wayne Saunders
Lower Hutt
$8,400

Squash NZ
Paul Sneyd
Masterton
$4,626

Swimming NZ
Brent Singer
Takanini, Auckland
$4,052

Esther Price
Winton, Southland
$4,632

Lyn Sutherland
Invercargill
$4,632

Tennis NZ
Aidan O’Rourke
Wellington
$2,715

Christine McKnight
Taupo
$2,925

Patrick O’Rourke
Wellington
$2,655

Volleyball
Andrew Hercus
Christchurch
$3,120

Richard Casutt
South Australia
$7,250

SPORT APPLICANT OBJECTIVE VALUE

NZ Waterski
Clare Willard
Whitby
$2,700

Allison Eade
Auckland
$7,482

Lynley Ross
Auckland
$4,390

Wrestling NZ
Malcolm McBeth
Hamilton
$8,450

Grant Astrella
Hamilton
$1,550

Yachting NZ
Richard Brown
Auckland
$11,220 (group)

Richard Clouston
North Shore

John Parrish
North Shore

TOTAL
$332,513

ENDS

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