2025 ONZ Awards were presented at the 2026 National Championships prize giving evening. During NZ Volunteer Week in June, a number of our volunteers were highlighted in our media. The complete list of awards, including performance awards, is listed below. 

Services to ONZ Award   |  Rolf Boswell (WK) 
When Rolf arrived in the Waikato in 2011, the Waikato Orienteering Club had been in recess for 18 months. Rolf set up a committee which he chaired and recruited others to assist, soon after the club was running a number of events.
Rolf fulfilled the land owner liaison role for the Hawkes Bay Orienteering Club for four years, before moving to Waikato. He was the President of the Orienteering Waikato Club for nine years from 2011-2019. Rolf remained on the Orienteering Waikato committee, having a large input, from 2020-2025, and has recruited many other committee members.
During his time on the committee Rolf has been big on strategy, and has been integral in instigating Orienteering Waikato’s recent logo refresh and pushed for the introduction of Orienteering Waikato shirts.
Rolf was pivotal in developing the concept and introducing Rugged Rogaines which are now Orienteering Waikato’s most successful series. He was instrumental in introducing a number of orienteering and rogaine series in the Waikato and as lead numerous major events.
Rolf was also the instigator of the Save the Sanctuary Rugged Rogaine fundraiser in 2025 which raised nearly $9,000 for the Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari when funds were badly needed.
National Volunteer Week (NVW) honours the collective energies and efforts of volunteers across Aotearoa New Zealand. ONZ thanks many people who give their time and skills to our community without recognition, simply as a contribution to the sport so many more can participate.

President’s Award    |   Al Cory-Wright (PAPO) 
Alister served on the Selection Panel from 2013 until recently, including at least a decade as convenor. The convenor role saw him fielding countless calls from athletes regarding injuries, exams, and other concerns. During his tenure he brought greater rigor to the selection process, among other things proposing that King’s Birthday be designated a selection event for Southern Cross, and aligning local grades with Australian grades to streamline selection.
Together with Jean Cory-Wright, who co-managed the Southern Cross team for many years, they championed the expansion to sending two New Zealand teams to Australia, including the introduction of a development team. The pair have also planned and controlled many courses together, and were partnered for the relay when Nationals held in Canterbury in 2025.
Beyond his administrative contributions, Al is a familiar and valued voice at events, where his in-depth knowledge of competitors makes him a quick, insightful commentator.

Administrator of the Year Award   |  Gene Beveridge (North West) 
Since becoming President of North West Orienteering Club in 2022, Gene Beveridge has led a transformative programme to modernise the Club’s structure, operations, and member engagement. Recognising the need for change to remain relevant and sustainable, he has introduced innovative approaches to governance and volunteer management. A key initiative was reducing reliance on a small group of volunteers by pre-allocating event roles, increasing participation, spreading skills, and helping members feel more valued. This has led to the definition of club roles, including honorariums for critical positions, improving reliability and recognising expertise.
Gene has strengthened governance by separating strategic oversight from operational delivery through sub-groups, clearer reporting, and streamlined committee processes. Club Nights have been introduced, attracting 20–40 participants and providing coaching, education, and social opportunities for orienteers across Auckland.
Under his leadership, membership has grown from 149 to 310 while fees have remained unchanged. Gene’s vision and innovation have positioned North West for long-term success.

Coach of the Year  |  Llew McGivern (Counties) 
Llew grew up in one of the very first Orienteering clubs, Pinelands in Tokoroa. His dad was a teacher and knew the very first pioneers of the Orienteering scene including Ralph King, Val and John Robertson, as well as, Robyn Davies, so it’s not surprising he has a lot of knowledge to pass on. Llew is passionate about equipping young orienteers with skills, with impact across all levels from beginners to elite. His athletes have achieved top national and international rankings, including Gold, Silver and Bronze Oceania medals. In 2026 he was delighted to see 7 of the Southern Cross Girls team (35%) come from his Baradene students.
Llew also contributes through mapping, currently assisting OBOP in remapping sprint areas and controlling at the Mount College Sprint ahead of AIMs games.
His passion for growing the sport has taken a practical new direction as he brings orienteering directly into the classroom. After successfully trialing a four-class module with 240 Year 7 students at Baradene, he is proposing to expand as Year 7 and 8 modules, including a professional development session for regional schools and sports coordinators. The work is included in ONZ’s new schools junior strategy, with Llew crediting the Robinsons, Brian Long and Kieran Wood for their ideas and support.

Volunteer Service Awards:   
9yrs:  Matt Bixley , Al Cory-Wright, Russell Higham , Dwayne Smith 

6yrs: Guy Cory-Wright , Michael Croxford , Selwyn Palmer  

3yrs: Sarah O’Sullivan, Scott Smith  

MTBO of the Year Award |  Deb Bain (PAPO)  
• World Masters Championship – 1st W65 Mass Start, 4th Sprint, 7th Middle, and 5th Long 
• World Masters Series – 2nd W65  
• NZMBTO Champs – 1st W60 Long, Sprint and Middle 
• Australian MTBO Champs – 1ste W60 Long, Sprint and Mass Start, 3rd in the Middle 

Rogainer of the Year  |  Fergus O’Neill (PAPO)  
• World Championships  1st Men’s Youth,  8th Overall  
• National Championships  2nd Mens, Overall   

Brighouse Trophy  |  Greg Flynn (OBOP) 
For best overall performance within age group category across the Nationals and Regional Championships Long Distance Events. 

Junior International Performance of the Year   |  Jake McLellan (Hutt Valley) 
For the top achievement by a junior individual or team in international competition in the year nominated. 7th Place in the JWOC Sprint 

International Performance of the Year   |   WOC Men’s relay team of Joseph Lynch (PAPO), Tim Robertson (Hutt Valley), and Zefa Fa’avae (Nelson) 
For the top achievement by a junior individual or team in international competition in the year nominated.  9th placing in WOC seems to be the best ever relay performance on ONZ records from a New Zealand men’s team at a forest relay. 

Innovation Award – New Award   |  Greg Bacchus (PAPO) 
The continued development and functionality of O-Zone