National Bowls Awards 2010-2011
COACH OF THE YEAR HOWARD SANDLER MT EDEN BOWLING CLUB
Finalists – Anton Ferrari (Wilton Bowling Club), Terry Scott (North East Valley Bowling Club). Howard is one of the most dedicated coaches in the country, involved in many different coaching roles on both a voluntary and professional basis, including Bowls NZ Coach, Auckland Bowls Coaching Coordinator, Israel National Coach, Auckland Bowls Coaching and High Performance Manager, and the 2010 National Secondary Schools Coach for Region 1. But it is Howard’s knowledge, expertise, and professional manner that have won him the 2010-2011 Coach of the Year Award. Howard has had success with his
athletes at a high level - he has coached many of New Zealand’s top young athletes, including Hyundai National Open Singles Finalist Amy Brenton, Kittyhawks 2010 winner Scott Evans, and several players selected for age group New Zealand teams. Howard also works closely with youth bowls throughout Auckland, running NCEA courses for several schools and organising Squad6 sessions. Natalie McPherson, Sports Coordinator for St Dominics College, credits the success of their school bowls programme entirely to Howard, “lawn bowls would not be so
popular within our school, or even feature in our area, without the driving force of Mr Sandler”. Howard demonstrates an impressive array of coaching skills. He has a strong focus and good results, particularly with youth bowlers. Howard is continually up-skilling and applies modern coaching practices. NZ U18 Rep Monte Pawa sums up Howard’s contribution to youth bowls, “without his time, effort, and guidance youth bowls would not be where it is today, and I certainly would not have achieved all the things I have accomplished”.
OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR HELEN STALLARD ST HELIERS BOWLING CLUB
Finalists – Reg Briggs (Papakura RSA Bowling Club), Michael Ayers (Fairfield Bowling Club). As a highly regarded international umpire who also mentors and oversees the development of new and experienced umpires, Helen is a worthy winner of the Official of the Year Award for the second year running. In the past year Helen has officiated at the Delhi Commonwealth Games, The NZ Open, and various centre events. She has been the Chair of the Bowls NZ Umpires Committee, is currently the President of
the Auckland Umpires Association, and has recently been appointed Chair of the Region 1 Umpires Development Team. In her role on the Bowls NZ Umpires Committee, Helen is an integral part of ensuring the committee meets the needs of umpires and bowlers alike, as well as travelling the country to attend and operate the Umpires exams for new Umpiring Accreditations. Helen is highly regarded as a quality source of umpire’s knowledge, and is
one of just a few Level 4 Umpires in New Zealand. Rob Pidgeon, Bowls NZ National Programmes Manager comments, “I have the privilege of working very closely with Helen, in her role as Chair of the Bowls NZ Umpires Committee and am certain that her dedication, drive, expertise and tireless efforts benefit umpiring and indeed the sport of bowls in New Zealand to a great extent”.
upshot www.bowlsnz.co.nz
9