Volunteers to take centre stage at ISPS Handa Halberg Awards through new Bunnings partnership

Summary

Bunnings has partnered with the ISPS Handa Halberg Awards to launch the inaugural Bunnings Community Sport Volunteer Award, recognising the unpaid volunteers who make community sport possible across Aotearoa.

Nominations are open from 1 October to 31 October for coaches, organisers, administrators, officials, fundraisers and community leaders who have made an outstanding contribution to grassroots sport. Finalists will attend the ISPS Handa Halberg Awards, with one volunteer named the inaugural Bunnings Community Sport Volunteer of the Year.

Volunteers to take centre stage at ISPS Handa Halberg Awards through new Bunnings partnership

Nominations open nationwide this October to recognise the volunteers who are the backbone of community sport.

The inaugural Bunnings Community Sport Volunteer Award will recognise unpaid individuals who make community sport possible across New Zealand.

Presented in partnership with the ISPS Handa Halberg Awards, the award celebrates volunteers including coaches, organisers, administrators, officials, fundraisers and community leaders whose efforts help people participate, develop and succeed through sport.

Nominations open nationwide from 1 October to 31 October, with finalists to attend the ISPS Handa Halberg Awards and one volunteer to be named the inaugural Bunnings Community Sport Volunteer of the Year.

Recognising the people behind community sport

The Bunnings Community Sport Volunteer Award is a new annual award that recognises an unpaid individual who has made an outstanding contribution to their grassroots sporting community.

The award sits alongside the ISPS Handa Halberg Awards, which celebrate sporting excellence at the highest level, and acknowledges the unpaid people behind the scenes whose work helps sporting communities thrive.

Volunteers may contribute through coaching, administration, officiating, organising events, fundraising or other support for community sport.

Their contribution helps create opportunities for New Zealanders to participate, develop and succeed through sport, recognising leadership, generosity and commitment in grassroots sporting communities.

The award builds on Bunnings’ commitment to grassroots sport through Coaching Legends, which has seen communities across Aotearoa nominate and celebrate volunteer coaches who make a meaningful difference in local sport.

Celebrating community impact

Chief Executive of the Halberg Foundation Tom Smith said the new award recognises people who are fundamental to the success of sport throughout New Zealand.

“For every athlete or coach recognised on stage at the ISPS Handa Halberg Awards, there are countless people in communities across New Zealand who helped make that journey possible by donating their time and energy,” Tom Smith said.

“Whether they’re coaching a junior team, running a local club, fundraising, officiating or simply showing up week after week, volunteers are the foundation of New Zealand sport. Through this partnership with Bunnings, we’re excited to recognise the volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to create opportunities for others and strengthen sporting communities across Aotearoa.”

Bunnings New Zealand General Manager Melissa Haines said the award is a natural extension of Bunnings’ commitment to celebrating the people who make community sport possible.

“Through Coaching Legends, we’ve seen thousands of nominations from communities across Aotearoa, each one celebrating the difference volunteer coaches make for players, clubs and communities every day,” Melissa Haines said.

“The Bunnings Community Sport Volunteer Award gives us another opportunity to celebrate these incredible people on a national stage and recognise the leadership, generosity and commitment that keeps community sport thriving.”

How to nominate

New Zealanders are invited to nominate volunteers who have made a meaningful difference in their local sporting community.

Nominations open on 1 October and close on 31 October.

Nominate a community sport volunteer.

Key facts

Award: Bunnings Community Sport Volunteer Award

Who it recognises: An unpaid individual who has made an outstanding contribution to a grassroots sporting community

Nomination period: 1 October to 31 October

Presentation: ISPS Handa Halberg Awards

Awards date: 17 February 2027

How to nominate: halberg.co.nz/halberg-awards/nominate/

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