Volleyball was included in the recent King’s Birthday honours list with Grant Harrison made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM).

Harrison’s over 40-year dedication to the game across a range of roles including administration, governance, coaching, and participation was acknowledged with the national award.

The Northland Volleyball stalwart said the honour was unexpected and humbling for a range of reasons.

“I have received awards as part of team successes, I have been acknowledged for services to volleyball locally and regionally in particular in coaching - but the significance of this recognition is far wider,” Harrison said.

“It makes me aware of an impact wider than who is in front of you at any given time.”

Since the announcement, Harrison has been flooded with messages of congratulations with whānau featuring heavily in several ways.

“A lot of that is to do with family members of people I’ve been involved with in the game so that is quite rewarding.

“I just want to acknowledge everyone who has made a contribution to this and will continue to do so. My support network of my wife and family has been invaluable.”

Harrison led Te Puke High School’s Senior Girls’ team to three national championships in the 1980s which led to his appointment as the coach for the Under-19 New Zealand Junior Women’s Volleyball team and served as head coach for NZ’s senior Women’s National team between 1991 to 1996.

He became the regional sport director of Sport Northland in 1994, holding the position for 26 years.

He has been involved in the development of indoor and beach volleyball, assisting with the National Beach Volleyball circuit, and coaches the Under-17 and Under-19 Northland Inter-Provincial teams, providing opportunities for player selection for national camps.

“I have been fortunate to work in sport and I am enthusiastic about that, and I am grateful to be acknowledged for doing something that is important to me. It also gives me cause to reflect on those who have supported and encouraged me on this journey and to those who I have impacted. It means a lot to me that I have had the impact on people to have them nominate me for recognition rather than the recognition itself.”

He said he developed his love for sport from his father and was also influenced by Phil Merritt, the first volleyball coach who was able to mentor him in the first few years of coaching and Keith Roberts who introduced him to the science involved in sport. There were a range of other people influential in his roles in volleyball, all important if you have a continuous learning mindset.

“I hope I have passed on a love of sport being more than just what you play, it’s about personal development. It gives you a greater understanding of yourself and your capabilities as well as an acceptance of differences. A personal focus of the work I have done has been coaching. I take pleasure in seeing athletes become better people as well as better athletes.”

Information from The Northern Advocate was used in this story.

AUCKLAND - Volleyball New Zealand is pleased to confirm the appointment of Claire Hamilton to the organisation’s Board.

Hamilton, an applicant from the recent Appointment Panel process in 2023, joins the Board following the resignation of Molly Anning, who relocated to the United Kingdom.

Hamilton, who’s term ends at the 2025 Annual General Meeting, is the Chief Executive of Auckland Basketball Services and previously worked as General Manager National Operations for the Graeme Dingle Foundation and as Competition Manager at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup held in New Zealand and Australia.

Auva’a welcomed Hamilton to the Poirewa Aotearoa Board table.

“We’re delighted to have been able to add Claire to our governance mix following Molly’s departure to the United Kingdom for work opportunities,” Auva’a said.

“Claire brings a strong background in sport administration in a variety of roles in the sector and that experience will be immensely valuable as we move into what is a critical period for the game of volleyball in New Zealand.”

“On behalf of my fellow board members and the wider game, I also thank Molly for her contribution in her time in the role.”

Hamilton is looking forward to the opportunity to contribute to the direction of the game.

“It is an exciting time for Volleyball in Aotearoa and I am delighted to be joining the Board of Volleyball New Zealand to support Steven and the team as the organisation develops and strengthens to maximise the opportunities available for its stakeholders.”

Volleyball New Zealand is pleased to confirm the refreshment of the organisation’s Board following the Annual General Meeting held in Wellington in late October.

Sila Auva’a has been appointed as Chair of Volleyball New Zealand while Lauren Fleury and Crispin Phelan were elected to the Board at the AGM.

Fleury, a former Volley Fern has been on the Volleyball New Zealand Board for several years while Phelan joins the governance of the game at a national level following involvement via Volleyball Tasman.

Auva’a is delighted with the outcome of the elected member process.

“Lauren has been a fantastic contributor the game at governance level in recent times and the continuity of experience she brings is invaluable to volleyball,” Auva’a said.

“We welcome Crispin to the board with an extensive knowledge of volleyball at regional and local level alongside governance and operational management experience.

Meanwhile, Richard Casutt – a former Volley Ferns coach and current international level Beach Referee - has been confirmed via the recently completed Appointed Member process.

Auva’a says Casutt’s appointment is pleasing given the high calibre of candidates who applied via that process.

“It was a strong process with several very well-experienced and skilled candidates,” Auva’a said.

“Richard stood out as the preferred candidate across a range of areas. His proven track record in sports governance, leadership and senior management will be a great complement to our current board mix.”

Auva’a also confirmed the recent resignation of elected Board member Molly Anning.

Anning recently relocated overseas, and Volleyball New Zealand will confirm the process for her replacement early in the New Year.

Poirewa was front and centre at the Te Kāhui Maunga Games held at Ruapehu College on December 2.

Seventeen marae from around the Rohe gathered to compete in a range of sports including poirewa with over 750 participants involved across the events.

The poirewa competition, delivered by Volleyball New Zealand Kaiārahi Māori Lead Ella Carlsen with support from Volleyball Bay of Plenty, saw multi-generational teams take to the court in a competition with modified rules.

“Te Kāhui Maunga games is a celebration of our uniqueness from the mountains to the sea,” Carlsen said.

“The competition witnessed a rekindling of past rivalries among our kaumātua’s and kuia, reminiscing about the games they once played.

“There was bounds of enthusiasm among newcomers as they embraced the opportunity to acquire new skills and the sheer joy that our poirewa matches can deliver.”

Spanning across generations from U-14 to over 80, Te Kāhui Maunga Games encapsulated a diverse spectrum of ages.

Carlsen said the event's kaupapa illuminated the significance of ensuring widespread access to recreational play.

“The key ingredients for a memorable time on the court are simple: “a patch of grass, a net, a ball, and Whānau. An enjoyable and inclusive environment requires only minimal resources, but most importantly facilitating a space where whānau can play together.”