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.
