Time and energy rewarded

ULTIMATE VOLUNTEER: Football's Jason King with his $2000 grant for the Thank a Sport Maker campaign. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Whanganui football identity Jason King has again been recognised for his tireless efforts at the grass roots of the game at Wembley Park after receiving a grant for $2000 worth of sporting equipment in the Thank a Sport Maker campaign.

He has also won an "ultimate team experience" for the team he supports through the campaign.

King, who runs the First Kicks programme for 4-6-year-olds coming into the sport, has been recognised amongst 10 volunteers around the country in the Thank a Sport Maker campaign draw for November.

Sport NZ and Lotto launched the campaign in 2013 to encourage nominations of "unsung heroes" among the 1 million New Zealanders who volunteer in sport, be it as coaches, officials, managers or administrators.

The campaign partnership includes regional sports trusts, with Sport Whanganui looking after the programme locally.

Sport Whanganui's press release said seven people nominated King to thank him for running the 16-week First Kicks programme, which he helped create four seasons ago.

Candidates go into a quarterly draw for the chance to win the sports merchandise prize and an "ultimate team experience" for the team they support.

King, who previously won a Visique Local Hero award with Russell Eades in 2013 for their success with First Kicks, said he was "delighted and humbled" that people had nominated him, and even more surprised to have won.

"I blame my daughter for getting me into volunteering," he said.

"At age five, she loved playing with her older brother in his team on Saturdays, but was overwhelmed when it came to games because she lacked the skills to be involved.

"The following year First Kicks was being implemented, and it didn't take me long to see her grasp a love of the game in a programme designed to build skills and involvement.

"There are about nine or 10 volunteers helping me out on the days we run the programme and this includes parents and younger players.

"What I love most is the reward of seeing the kids develop. Some of them have never touched a ball in their life and, by the end of the season, they are loving it - kicking a ball and playing the sport. It's worth every moment."

A member and player for Wanganui Marist FC, King also runs training with the youth at the club.

Sport Whanganui CEO Danny Jonas said the award was deserved.

"Growing kids' confidence and helping them achieve their personal best through sport is at the heart of what Jason does.

"His selfless commitment, passion, and the time and energy he puts in, represent some of the best qualities we have in our sports volunteers."

The next draw will take place in February, and nominations can be made at www.lottovolunteers.co.nz.