Students awarded for their tenacity

High School student Stave Hill is the 2014 Coach of the Year for his deeds with young rowing crews on the Whanganui River. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO

A cool, calm and collected demeanour on the field has earned Wanganui High School student Joshua Parker recognition.

Parker was announced Official of the Year at the Wanganui Secondary School Sports Awards last week for his whistleblowing abilities on the football field.

Parker reffed at national level and was involved with the national women's and national youth leagues as an assistant referee. He was also involved with refereeing Federation Cup Under-16 boys and girls matches.

His category nominators pointed to his cool, calm and collected manner when under pressure as top qualities when refereeing at top level football.

Parker is also expected to complete his Coaching New Zealand Football Level 1 badge at the end of this year.

Meanwhile, fellow school mate Stave Hill has been recognised for his tireless work behind the scenes.

Hill was named Coach of the Year at last week's awards on the back of his sterling work on the water in rowing circles.

The judges were impressed and swayed by his dedication to help develop a crew of young men into a flowing, technically sound unit that culminated with his Under-16 crew performing well at the Maadi Cup in the South Island.

The Maadi Cup is the pinnacle for secondary school rowing and the Hill-coached U16 crew were less than a second away from making an A-Final in their age group boys quadruple sculls.

Throughout the season, Hill showed his dedication by heading to the Whanganui River at 4.45am every weekday - even if his own crew were not training. He used that time to learn more from other coaches.