He was rewarded at the New Zealand Rugby Union awards dinner in Auckland on Thursday night when he was named the Charles Monro volunteer of the year.
"It was an absolute surprise to me," Crawford told the Otago Daily Times from Auckland yesterday.
"The two other finalists were sitting at the table with me.
"It was a real thrill and a great honour to represent the many volunteers with rugby clubs throughout the country."
Crawford (39), the operations manager of the Edgar Centre, received the award for his work as club captain and coaching co-ordinator at the Southern club.
He also coached the Southern Under-12 team and the Dunedin Metropolitan Under-11 team.
He was also convener of the Metropolitan match committee that made the draw for junior rugby each week.
His wife, Helen, is club captain of the junior section at the Southern club.
The couple have three children: Jamie (11), Abby (9) and Hunter (5).
"I don't know how Blair can look after three young children and give so much time to rugby," Southern life member Mike Reggett said.
"We are delighted. The award recognises his work."
The Southern club recognised his work and paid for Crawford's wife to travel to Auckland with him.
Crawford enjoyed the chance to sit at the same table as New Zealand rugby great Sir Colin Meads and to talk with Dan Carter and Steve Tew.
"I just wanted to uphold the traditions of the Southern club and maintain what the great members of the past had done for the club," Crawford said.
Crawford estimated that he devoted about 25 hours a week to rugby during the winter months.
Saturday was a busy day that started when he put out the flags at Bathgate Park at 8.30am and ended with the formal aftermatch function for the seniors at 7pm.
It was the club's 125th jubilee year, and that had added to his duties.
Crawford, the son of Southern life member Bob Crawford, was educated at Kings High School and played more than 100 premier games at either first or second five-eighth for Southern from 1992 to 2000.
