Army Sports Awards

Jackie Tuala knows a thing or two about managing sports teams.

Her name is synonymous with Touch Rugby and Rugby League in both the New Zealand Army and the wider Manawatu region.

That devotion and dedication has earned her the Army’s Supreme Sports Award for 2019. “I feel very humbled – it was totally unexpected,” she says.

SGT Tuala is the HR Manager (S1) at QAMR and has three teenage children. All of them play Touch and Rugby League at National Level, with one of her sons making NZ U18s for Touch this year.

“As a family our lives have pretty well revolved around sport. I used to play, but as I got older and more prone to injury I decided to turn my hand to management.

“I believe when you take on a job you should give it your everything, and I suppose I have done that. When I was a coach I had high expectations of my managers. Now I have high expectations of my players. I put a lot of effort in behind the scenes and I expect my players to do the same by turning up for training and giving 100%.”

She sees her role as a sports team manager as being responsible for everything other than training the players.

“A manager looks after the players’ welfare, travel, equipment, attends meetings. There is always a lot to do but I really enjoy it.

“I am extremely thankful to my husband John who continues to support me in everything I do. My family is my “Why” and without them, the accomplishments would not be possible.” A movements operator, LCPL Taikato received the award for her prowess playing basketball, but she also plays volleyball and netball.

Being 6ft tall is a decided advantage. “I played basketball in year 12 and 13 at college, but only picked it up again last year. I’m still learning but I love the sport.”

She plays for a Linton Army team, and also for the NZDF women’s basketball team. The latter hasn’t seen much action this year however, especially after Auckland went into Level 3 lockdown. Many of the team’s members are Navy women who couldn’t practise together or travel. “It has been so disappointing because it was going to be a close competition. Hopefully we can get to the Nationals in Tauranga at Labour Weekend.” Other awards made at the annual Army Sports Awards: Individual Sports Person of the Year: CPL Sione Akau (See the October issue of Army News) Team of the Year: Mixed netball Official of the Year: Warrant Officer Class Two Lawrence Colvin New Zealand Army Colours were presented to WO2 Jason Kuru for services to Army basketball, and to Mr Richie Player, for services to Army rugby.

SGT Jackie Tuala’s accomplishments

2019 Touch Rugby

New Zealand Touch U18 Boys Manager (Youth TransTasman Jan 2020)

New Zealand Touch U16 Boys Manager (Tour Sunshine Coast Sep 2019)

Manawatu Touch U18 Boys Manager

New Zealand Army Men’s Touch Manager (2nd year)

Committee Member Linton Army Touch Club

Coordinator and Managers QAMR Touch Teams

2019 Rugby League

Manawatu Rugby League U17 Boys Manager

Taranaki Whanui Maori Rugby League U17 Boys Manager (Runners Up)

Manawatu Mustangs Premier Men’s Team Manager

New Zealand Army Rugby League Women’s rep and Committee Member

2019 Linton Sports Awards

YOUNG BASKETBALLER AIMING HIGH

Covid-19 has put a bit of a dampener on Lance Corporal Tamika Taikato’s sporting year, but she is still delighted to be named the Army’s Young Sportsperson of the Year.

Administrator of the Year

EOD ASSESSMENT WEEK

The next Assessment Week for the New Zealand EOD Operator trade is November 2020.

New Zealand EOD Operators have an important role within the NZDF. Whether supporting the New Zealand Defence Force, New Zealand Police, or Special Operations Forces we must deliver precise results in sensitive, complex and difficult environments. Our people are innovative and agile. We are looking for NZDF personal that are humble, disciplined, brook no sense of class and are committed to pursuing excellence. We need people who work well in a small team and can make decisions in complex situations.

The EOD Operator Assessment Week is open to men and women from within the NZDF. The next Assessment Week is from 02 to 06 November 2020. Nominations are currently open and close 09 October 2020.

Minimum requirements

Hold a rank of Private (Band 4), LAC or Able Seaman. Have a full class one vehicle license Hold a confidential vetting security clearance Have a minimum medical grade of A4, G2, Z1 (RFL minimum G2) Complete the R-Series Tests 1–5. Administered during the assessment week and an evaluation by an NZDF psychologist as suitable to operate as an IEDD team member.

Successful candidates will undergo the following training prior to posting to an EOD Response Troop in either Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch. 1. Basic Combat Engineer course. (01/02/21 to 26/03/21) 2. Basic EOD course (12 weeks)

May 2020. Exact dates TBC 3. Support Element Special

Operations Training (2 Weeks)

Feb 2022 Visit http://org/nzsof/LP/ Recruiting.aspx for more information and to download your application. Application AFNZ 3.

1. To be completed with comments and signature of your Commanding Officer. 2. Forwarded to the following NLT 05 October 2020. • SAS Recruiting Cell

SASRec@nzdf.mil.nz • DACM S1 Matters <DACM_S1_Matters@nzdf. mil.nz> • Burland Len, WO <LENARD.BURLAND@nzdf. mil.nz> 3. Meet all the above minimum requirements.

For further information please contact Warrant Officer Diver Len Burland, Squadron Sergeant Major E SQN.

Kua whakahou ngā whakairo kei Waiouru i roto me i waho i Te Whare Tū Taua a Tūmatauenga. He tohu tēnei whakairo i te Rangatira; Ko Meiha Tianara Brian Poananga CB CBE 1979–1981. E pānui ana te whakahou nei i te pitopito kōrero a Ngāti Tūmatauenga mo te marama o Hiringa-ā-nuku. The carvings inside and outside Te Whare Tu Taua a Tūmatauenga in Waiouru have been refurbished. This carving represents Major General Brian Poananga, CB, CBE, Chief of General Staff 1978–1981. Read more about this extensive refurbishment in the October Army News. Photo: CPL Naomi James