EAST OTAGO HIGH SCHOOL
Noni Callander
Role: Athletics coach (10-plus years).
Her story: From the early days of coaching young athletes in Waimate as a teacher, to mentoring school-aged children in Tonga during over five years of volunteer service, my passion for youth development through sport has been a constant. On Waiheke Island, I continued this journey, fostering fun and fitness among local children. Now retired in Waikouaiti, I’ve brought that same energy to Waikouaiti Primary where I started a fun club, and to East Otago High School, continuing to support and inspire the next generation of athletes.
I helped at the East Otago annual athletics sports day, then once a team was selected to go on to represent the school at the Otago secondary schools championships, I would go along at lunchtimes to coach and encourage any who were keen to practise and improve. These would mainly be throwers and long jumpers. If any of those athletes qualified to attend the South Island championships, and several did over the years, I would continue helping them until those championships in April.
Country students often have good natural strength and a background of involvement in a variety of sports from a young age. Regular practices with refinement of techniques always saw the keen athletes making a lot of improvement. I get a big kick out of seeing such improvements. That is probably the main reason I volunteer to help every year.
Legacy: I have been an athlete competing (as a sprinter, long jumper and since turning 60 as a thrower for clubs, my province and NZ) since I was 10. I have enjoyed being involved in many team sports but athletics, whether competing, officiating, managing a team or coaching, has always been my main passion. Seeing others do well has always given me as much pleasure as doing well myself.
JOHN MCGLASHAN COLLEGE
Donna Smith
Roles: Under-15 A hockey manager, creator and teacher in charge of tramping club, rogaine and Get2Go co-ordinator.
Her story: John McGlashan has been privileged to have Donna as a long-serving and deeply valued member of our staff. Her unwavering dedication, tireless energy, and heartfelt commitment have left an indelible mark on our school community.
As year 9 dean, Donna is a constant presence at school sporting events, cheering on the boys from her class from the sidelines with genuine pride. In recent years, she has taken on the role of under-15 hockey manager, co-ordinating and attending early morning trainings, late evening games, and even transporting boarders in the school van. She gave up her school holidays to accompany teams to tournaments.
Legacy: A passionate tramper herself, Donna recognised a gap in outdoor opportunities for students and co-founded the JMC Tramping Club. What began as a simple initiative has grown into a beloved opportunity for many with participation numbers soaring. Every December, she organises and leads unforgettable trips into some of New Zealand’s most breathtaking landscapes. Her dedication has also extended to supporting events such as rogaine and Get2Go. Donna receives the utmost respect and admiration from all corners of the McGlashan community. She is not only a phenomenal educator but an extraordinary human being whose contributions reach far beyond the classroom.
ST HILDA’S COLLEGIATE
John Bradfield
Volunteer role: Teacher in charge, touch and rugby (10 years).
His story (from the students): Mr Bradfield, also known as Mr B, has been involved with rugby and touch for almost a decade. He always has the loudest voice on the sideline, cheering, screaming and yelling things that never make sense but always lift us as a team. Mr B has given up so much of his time to look after all the rugby and touch teams. All of his dedication and passion have never gone unnoticed, and we are grateful to have him on our sidelines. He is always making sure we have all the equipment we need to play our very best, and we have never seen someone so willing to help and support young women in their sporting journey, especially in rugby and touch.
Legacy: John is an enthusiastic teacher and ākonga supporter. His involvement in touch and rugby is widely appreciated by the school, players and whanau.
OTAGO GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL
Deb Tasi-Cordtz
Volunteer role: Senior A netball coach (five years, including as junior coach).
Her story: Netball is in my blood. My grandmother was a Silver Fern and my mother played for Otago so I almost grew up on the sidelines at Memorial Courts (in all types of weather). The players now don’t know how lucky they are to be playing indoors.
I moved into coaching early and really enjoyed being able to develop players into a team and see them not only improve their netball but also their life skills. Netball is so much more than a sport and I am thrilled that I have been given so many opportunities within this great sport. I am currently a selector for Netball New Zealand for the under-21 and secondary schools programmes and love spotting the up-and-coming talent and maybe the next Silver Fern out there.
Legacy: I’ve been involved in various netball teams in Dunedin for over 30 years now, from junior netball right through to elite level coaching. I think coaching the younger players involves so much more patience than it does at the elite level. Coaching at the Otago senior level, the players have a skill base to work from, and it is more about strategy and game awareness, whereas the younger you are, the less of a skill set you have, and it takes time and perseverance to develop players.
DUNSTAN HIGH SCHOOL
Hayley O’Neill
Volunteer roles: Dunstan boys softball tournament team manager and junior coach, manager of junior hockey teams and member of Dunstan hockey committee, junior rugby teams manager (three years).
Her story: As my kids (now 16, 14 and 11) have become more involved with sports, I’ve enjoyed learning alongside them. From rugby, netball and hockey during winter time to softball and touch in summer. For the last three summers, we’ve travelled to Invercargill every Saturday as all three children and their cousin play in the Southland softball competition.
Growing up, my mum and dad helped to set the tone with volunteering as parents. Dad always coached my brother’s rugby team. Mum used to drive us to Palmerston North three to four times a week (a 50min drive) for swimming training as I competed at national division 2 level and my sister at nationals. Mum and Dad were always parents that were at most, if not every, one of our games.
Legacy: I’ve only ever become so involved either due to the lack of parents wanting to help or because I want to learn more and support my kids. We’re already going to watch and be at as many games as we can so why not be useful while I am there? Very rarely do you hear "oh no, we’ve got plenty of help ..." so I think I’d like my kids to look back and think "man, Mum put in the mahi for us”.
TAIERI COLLEGE
Ryan Ehlers
Volunteer role: Senior A girls volleyball coach (coming up 10 years).
His story: Ryan played volleyball for John McGlashan from 2002 to 2006. He was also coaching at the high school while he was playing volleyball. Ryan also played four years for the Scorpions club (2006-2009) then he became the treasurer for the club from about 2012 to 2024. Ryan started coaching again with Taieri in 2016 and is still coaching with them now. He also coached for the Scorpions club from 2020 to 2024.
Legacy: For nearly a decade, Ryan has been the driving force behind the Taieri College senior A girls volleyball team. With unwavering dedication, he has built a culture of hard work, resilience, and respect — both on and off the court. Under his leadership, countless players have grown in confidence and skill, many going on to achieve personal and team success at regional and national levels.
Ryan’s passion for the game and commitment to his players have made a lasting impact on the volleyball community at Taieri College. His legacy is not only found in the results on the scoreboard but also in the positive influence he has had on generations of young athletes. Ryan’s nearly 10-year contribution to the sport at the school stands as a testament to his loyalty, integrity, and love for the game.
