Piuti Iakopo and some of her students with Blues players.
A South Auckland teacher who has spent years helping her students thrive through sport has been named one of the first winners of the Kitted for Greatness award.
Piuti Iakopo, a teacher at Papatoetoe South School, has coached tamariki across multiple rugby codes and softball for the past five years, dedicating countless hours to using sport as a way to build confidence, teamworkF and a sense of belonging.
Amid the cost-of-living crisis, many of the children Iakopo works with struggle to afford basics like gear and transport to games, so she regularly steps in to help wherever she can.
Iakopo received numerous nominations for the award, launched by retail outlet Dress Smart Auckland in partnership with the Blues to recognise the efforts of grassroots rugby coaches and volunteers.
She was unveiled as the first of two winners at the shopping centre last week, receiving a $5000 Dress Smart voucher to spend on sports gear, with Blues trio Dalton Papali’i, Che Clark and Payton Spencer in attendance.
Iakopo said the award came at a particularly meaningful time, as she has recently stepped away from teaching while expecting her first child.
“The timing couldn’t be any more perfect. I’m currently expecting, so last term was a little bit hard because that was my last tournament with my school,” Iakopo told the Herald.
“This is the first ever term I won’t be coaching a sport, just so I can look after our little blessing on the way.
“It’ll also be my last term at school too, so it’s a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, but the timing couldn’t be any more perfect.”
Iakopo first discovered her passion for coaching while running sports programmes in a previous role, which ultimately led her into teaching.
She was joined by a group of past and present students when receiving the award, a reflection of the strong relationships she has built within her community.
“I have really good relationships with some of the parents, and I wanted to pay them back for always having my back and helping me with trainings, gear and everything,” Iakopo said.
“I thought I’d bring them along for the experience, even though they’ve moved on from the school as well.
“It’s really important for them to have that kind of platform, not just in school. I also try and make the effort to watch their tournaments outside of school, just to build that relationship as well.“
More than 100 people were nominated for the award, but Dress Smart Onehunga centre manager Lauri Solecki said Iakopo was a worthy recipient.
“She is phenomenal,” Solecki said. “She gives up her time, she puts in the effort, and she coaches a number of teams through rugby, ripper and touch.
“She’s a female in a male-dominated sport. She’s a huge role model for all the girls at her school, and she just gives so much.
“She’s not just coaching. She’s building a community. She’s helping these students to build self-worth and a sense of belonging.“
Iakopo said she hopes to return to coaching, something she remains deeply passionate about.
“Once we make the memories with our little blessing first, then hopefully I can ease back in and get straight back into sports,” Iakopo said.
A second winner will be announced later this month.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.