New Zealand Recreation Association celebrates professional success

Eight organisations and four individuals have been honoured for their contribution to the parks and recreation industry by the New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA).

The NZRA's annual awards, presented at the Association' recent Conference Dinner in Rotorua, acknowledged significant contributions made to New Zealand's parks and recreation industry over the past year.

Commenting on the awards and the judging process, NZRA Chief Executive Andrew Leslie said the judges felt that decisions were at times very difficult, especially in cases where competition was tight.

Leslie explained "the judging panel members were impressed with both the quality and level of nominations and those selected represent the best, most successful people, facilities, projects or events in the past year."

The Outstanding Project Award, which recognises the successful development or major redevelopment of a strategy or facility, went to Upper Hutt City Council for its 'DIScover: Serving customers with disabilties' progamme, while Wellington City Council's ASB Sports Centre and Rotorua District Council's ' Youth Spaces Project' received a Highly Commended recognition.

Sport Wellington won top honours in the Outstanding Event Award for the 'AMI Around the Bays' event.

Four individual awards acknowledged extraordinary people who have motivated others and achieved great success in their field.

The Emerging Recreation Leader of the Year Award recognises significant leadership potential of an individual in the recreation industry and this year's recipient was Michele Frey, Strategic Planner at Opus International Consultants.

The winner of the 2011 Ian Galloway Memorial Cup, which recognises excellence and outstanding personal contribution to the wider parks industry, was presented to Walter Miller. Miller is the Parks Operations Manager for the Rotorua District Council, where he has worked for the past 40 years.

Auckland Council was also among the winners with its Sports Field Capacity Development Programme winning the Outstanding Research, Policy and Planning Award, the Howick Recreation Centre winning the Outstanding Recreation Facility of the Year and the AMP'd youth programme winning the Outstanding Recreation Programme of the Year.

Georgie Witehira, group manager of Manukau Leisure's western sites, received the Mark Mitchell Memorial Award for her outstanding contribution to the recreation industry over 25 years.

Judy Tipping, contract relationship manager for Auckland Council's contracted-out sites, won the Paul Stuart Memorial Award for excellence and outstanding personal contribution to the wider facility management industry.

The council-owned and contracted facility Glen Innes Aquatic Centre, managed by Community Leisure Management (CLM), was named Outstanding Pool.

NZRA Outstanding Awards 2013

Outstanding Project 
Winner: Porirua City Council for Waitangirua Community Park 
Highly Commended: Queenstown Trail Trust & Queenstown Lakes District Council for The Queenstown Trail 

Outstanding Community Recreation Programme
Winner: Harbour Sport and Bike on NZ Charitable Trust for Bikes in Schools 
Highly Commended:
Community Leisure Management for SwimMagic Swim School 
Auckland Council for The Point Break Programme 

Outstanding Recreation Facility 
Paptoetoe and Community Charitable Trust for Papatoetoe Sports Centre 

Outstanding Pool
Christchurch City Council for Graham Condon Recreation & Sports Centre 

Outstanding Park
Greater Wellington Regional Council for Kaitoke Park 

NZRA Individual Award Winners 2013
Ian Galloway Memorial Cup - Geoff Canham 

Emerging Recreation Leader of the Year Trophy - Annalies Donald 

NZRA Fellowship - Rob Greenaway & Bevan Grant

For more information go to www.nzrecreation.org.nz/Professional-Services/Awards.asp

8th March 2013 - SARAH BEAMAN NAMED NEW ZEALAND RECREATION ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN