2011 Sparc Sport Volunteer Awards
A huge congratulations to the finalists and winners of this year's Sparc Sport Volunteer Awards.
The quality of the nominees was impressive and all were worthy of recognition, given the huge amount of time and effort they put into sport.
John O'Connor, who has been a stalwart of Southland rowing since 1984, won the ILT Lifetime Achievement Award and said his long-term dedication to the sport has passed quickly.
"It doesn't seem like 25 years because it's been so enjoyable,'' he said.
Angee Shand was awarded the Sport Southland Sparc Sport Volunteer Award for her years of dedication to netball from club to national level.
And Jason Keen, a Year 12 pupil at James Hargest College, won the Stadium Southland Watties Student Sport Volunteer Award for his efforts coaching rugby and softball.
Sport Southland coaching manager Paul Westbury said the awards were a chance to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of Southland's sports volunteers.
"The Sparc Sport Volunteer Awards are the feel-good function of the year and it is wonderful to be able to say thank you to people who have given so much to sport in Southland," he said.
The winners of the 2011 Sparc Sport Volunteer Awards are:
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Sparc Sport Volunteer Award | Watties Student Sport Volunteer Award |
 John O'Connor - Rowing |
 Angee Shand - Netball |
 Jason Keen - Rugby and Softball |
