Stalwarts Sylvia Smith and Patricia (Pat) Wyatt, two shining examples of the volunteer spirit, have been acknowledged for their decades-long support of netball as part of the 2023 King’s Birthday and Coronation Honours.
Smith, from Morrinsville, and Rotorua’s Wyatt, have been awarded the Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for their services to netball where between them they have dedicated over 100 years.
The QSM is awarded by the government to recognise and reward volunteer service to the community and, also public service in elected or appointed public office. In future it will be renamed in honour of King Charles and subsequently be known as the King’s Service Medal.
Smith has become a legendary figure across the Waikato through her dedication to volunteering in many different capacities for the Morrinsville Netball Centre, Thames Valley Netball Cluster, Waikato Bay of Plenty and Netball New Zealand (NNZ) during an unbroken 50 years.
Instantly recognisable across the Waikato netball fraternity, Smith started her involvement as a player when she was nine years old, forging a deep passion for the game that has withstood the test of time.
Wanting to give back to the game she loved, Smith has dedicated much of her life to netball and remains secretary of Morrinsville Netball Centre after first taking up the position in 1985 while still playing.
Behind the scenes, Smith has demonstrated the true spirit of giving back through her lengthy list of achievements which include coaching, managing and selecting a wide range of club and representative teams in Morrinsville, Thames Valley and North Waikato regions while also being a delegate to the NNZ Council on many occasions.
Over the years, she has been acknowledged with numerous Centre and Regional awards, including Life Membership of Waikato Bay of Plenty in 2022, WBOP Zone Service Award in 2019, NNZ Service Award in 2005 and Morrinsville Centre Life Membership in 1993.
Wyatt has made an enormous contribution to netball in the Rotorua community for more than 50 years including administrating netball since 1966, qualifying as a New Zealand umpire, being a member of the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic franchise, organising the annual Sport Bay of Plenty Primary Schools Field Day and being a draw steward for several tournaments.
Wyatt was awarded life membership of Netball Rotorua in 2003, the Netball Rotorua Service Award in 2003 and NNZ Service Award in 2010. She was also a teacher at Malfroy Primary Rotorua for 45 years and continued to give to the community of Rotorua.
Mentoring the next generation of up-and-coming umpires has been a part of Wyatt’s giving back to the netball community.
Smith, from Morrinsville, and Rotorua’s Wyatt, have been awarded the Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for their services to netball where between them they have dedicated over 100 years.
The QSM is awarded by the government to recognise and reward volunteer service to the community and, also public service in elected or appointed public office. In future it will be renamed in honour of King Charles and subsequently be known as the King’s Service Medal.
Smith has become a legendary figure across the Waikato through her dedication to volunteering in many different capacities for the Morrinsville Netball Centre, Thames Valley Netball Cluster, Waikato Bay of Plenty and Netball New Zealand (NNZ) during an unbroken 50 years.
Instantly recognisable across the Waikato netball fraternity, Smith started her involvement as a player when she was nine years old, forging a deep passion for the game that has withstood the test of time.
Wanting to give back to the game she loved, Smith has dedicated much of her life to netball and remains secretary of Morrinsville Netball Centre after first taking up the position in 1985 while still playing.
Behind the scenes, Smith has demonstrated the true spirit of giving back through her lengthy list of achievements which include coaching, managing and selecting a wide range of club and representative teams in Morrinsville, Thames Valley and North Waikato regions while also being a delegate to the NNZ Council on many occasions.
Over the years, she has been acknowledged with numerous Centre and Regional awards, including Life Membership of Waikato Bay of Plenty in 2022, WBOP Zone Service Award in 2019, NNZ Service Award in 2005 and Morrinsville Centre Life Membership in 1993.
Wyatt has made an enormous contribution to netball in the Rotorua community for more than 50 years including administrating netball since 1966, qualifying as a New Zealand umpire, being a member of the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic franchise, organising the annual Sport Bay of Plenty Primary Schools Field Day and being a draw steward for several tournaments.
Wyatt was awarded life membership of Netball Rotorua in 2003, the Netball Rotorua Service Award in 2003 and NNZ Service Award in 2010. She was also a teacher at Malfroy Primary Rotorua for 45 years and continued to give to the community of Rotorua.
Mentoring the next generation of up-and-coming umpires has been a part of Wyatt’s giving back to the netball community.