Every rugby club needs a volunteer like this

Gary Donovan. Photosport

Every rugby club needs a Gary Donovan.

A selfless individual who rolls the sleeves up and takes on whatever has to be done without worrying about who gets the credit. They don't seek recognition and often they simply don't get wider recognition.

But Donovan did get some tangible reward last night for his yeoman work with Auckland's Suburbs club. The 72-year-old became the first Aucklander to win the Charles Monro Memorial Trophy for New Zealand rugby volunteer of the year at the ASB Rugby Awards.

A few weeks back he also won the Ash Edwards Memorial Trophy for his service to both club and union at the Auckland Rugby Awards night. It has capped a big year for Suburbs, who won the Gallaher Shield for the first time in 24 years and also clinched the Auckland cub sevens title. This is a community club that has established itself at Shadbolt Park, got itself on a sound financial footing and started to get the results on the field.

Donovan himself has done most jobs for Suburbs in the last 20 years, since they amalgamated with Bay Lynn. He was a life member of the latter club, which was absorbed in the 1996 merger. But he has always been a Shadbolt Park man, after having playing his junior rugby at the Pt Chevalier club, which latter merged with Bay Lynn.

Most jobs, except treasurer, that is. Not his go.

But Donovan is the club delegate to the Auckland union and serves on Suburbs' rugby committee. He helps out at Eden Park with Blues and Auckland games. On game days at Shadbolt Park, he organises the parking. He will save a spot for certain media (thanks, mate). You might see some occasionally in the Eden Park press box, where his stash of chocolate is always popular with the ravenous fourth estate.

But he is too modest to crow about his achievements.

"You do it for the love of the game. It's nice to be acknowledged, but I've had so much enjoyment over many years. You don't even think about trophies," says the Blockhouse Bay resident.

He is talking about personal trophies, of which he now has two on the mantelpiece. But he enjoys the club trophies and therefore loved the 2016 Suburbs' season.

"It's been tremendous. It's the first time I've belonged to a club that's won a major trophy."

Suburbs was duly rewarded at the Auckland Rugby awards, winning the Jordan Rosebowl for the club with the best spirit and organisation, while chairman Stefan Crooks won the Barrie Connell Memorial Trophy as volunteer club administrator of the year.
Donovan is not even thinking about stepping back. He is already looking forward to 2017. We wouldn't expect anything less from this passionate rugby man.