Long serving school sport stalwart Jim Lonergan (College Sport Auckland CEO) was announced as one of the recipients of the top School Sport NZ Award in 2019, Champion of School Sport.
Jim has been active in supporting and promoting secondary school sport for 40 years. Jim coached and managed the Macleans College 1st XV for 28 years and organised overseas tours to Japan, the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. He was, at various times, a manager of Auckland & Northern Region Schools rugby teams, both in New Zealand and overseas. He sat on the Auckland Schools Rugby Executive for over 35 years and has served for extended periods as both secretary and chair of this organisation. Over more recent years, he chaired the Northern Regions Schools Rugby Union and was Deputy Chair and President of the NZ Schools Rugby Union. Jim also assisted at numerous College Sport Auckland Athletics Championships and was the organising manager for the College Sport Auckland Road Running Championships.
Rutherford College was also awarded an Innovation in School Sport Award from School Sport NZ.
Rutherford College implemented a Ki o Rahi project which involves Rutherford College students, an external organisation and surrounding Primary Schools, to provide an opportunity for Te Atatu CoL Schools to develop their knowledge of Ki o Rahi and as a vehicle for community connection in Te Atatu CoL. Rutherford College Mahi-a-toi students delivered two, one hour workshops to 100 year 6 students at each school across two consecutive weeks followed by a one day tournament hosted at Rutherford College featuring two teams of fourteen players from each CoL primary school. Ki o Rahi Tamaki Makaurau (KORTM), as the recognised advisory board provided three, one hour PD workshops to the Mahi-a-toi students to ensure confidence and consistency in delivery. NCEA credits were linked to this piece of work and KiwiSport funding allowed for the supply of a complete Ki o Rahi set, Rippa bands and tags, and additional balls to be given to each of the seven primary schools.
Alex Bing (St Peter’s College) was also awarded a Service to School Sport Award.
Garry Carnachan (School Sport NZ Executive Director) presented Alex and Jim with their awards at College Sport Auckland’s annual Sports Coordinators Meeting at Alexandra Park last week.