Yachting New Zealand is encouraging sailing and boating clubs nationwide to put forward their volunteer coaches as nominations open for the Coaching Legends programme, a Bunnings Warehouse initiative recognising the unsung heroes of community sport.
With more than 100 member clubs across the country, volunteer coaches remain central to participation and development in the sport, giving their time, energy and expertise to support sailors from learn-to-sail through to high-performance pathways.
From junior programmes through to competitive racing squads, these coaches play a vital role in building confidence, teamwork and lifelong engagement with sailing and boating.
Coaching Legends celebrates volunteer coaches across community sport who go the extra mile in their clubs and communities. Nominations are now open, and anyone can put forward a coach who has made a meaningful impact.
Recognition is awarded throughout the year. Weekly, five volunteer coaches receive a Coaching Legends kit including limited-edition merchandise and Bunnings gift cards for both coach and club. Monthly, one standout coach is selected for a visit from a high-performance sporting professional, who joins them and their team for a club training session.
At the end of the year, five coaches nationwide will each receive $5,000 in Bunnings products and materials for their club, along with an invitation to the ISPS Handa Halberg Awards. One of those five will be named Bunnings Coaching Legend of the Year and awarded $25,000 for their club.
Yachting New Zealand is encouraging all affiliated clubs to take the opportunity to recognise the coaches who underpin participation and development across the sport.
Click here for the full terms and conditions, and click here to nominate a volunteer coach.
Originally published by Yachting New Zealand.
