A huge congratulations to Leanne Robinson, winner of $2,000 worth of sports gear prizes as a local sports volunteer nominated by Te Awamutu Gymnastics club in the Lotto Sport Maker programme promoted by Sport Waikato.

Leanne’s first introduction to gymnastics was taking her three year old son to pre-school sessions. He turns 17 this year and is competing at Level 8 in Men’s Artistic Gymnastics - coached by Leanne for the past 5-7 years. 

As if this wouldn't be enough for any working mother (who has to travel on a daily basis), she has held the roles of Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer at various times over the years and for the last five or so years has been Head Coach for Te Awamutu GymSports.

Leanne has been instrumental in driving the club forward with good programme structure, awesome support and mentoring for new adult and teenage coaches, and continuing to offer Men’s Artistic Gymnastics to a new group of boys - and they love her!  2015 saw two of the Level Two boys achieve podium at Midland Regional Championships.

Leanne knows the club inside out and can guide any new participants - be they coaches, committee members, or gymnasts.

The time Leanne puts in to make sure the club continues to offer great sessions for the children and to developing the coaches of the future is immense. Sometimes saying 'Thank You' to such a person seems very inadequate in acknowledging their time, commitment and sacrifice.

Leanne is now also eligible to win the ‘team experience prize’ which is either elite coaching, a team trip or a sponsored club day, with the final experience tailored to the particular winner. You can check out videos of previous team experience winners here: https://www.lottovolunteers.co.nz/winners/

The winner of the ‘team experience prize’ will be based on public votes so, you can start telling everyone in your community to jump online and vote for Leanne, so she has the best possible chance of winning!  Voting opens on Wednesday 27th April.

The aim is to get as many votes for Leanne as you can! To do this, we recommend that you get as many people as possible, including Leanne, to share Leanne’s entry on their own Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts regularly.

The names of all 10  $2,000 sports gear winners and their photos will be made public at www.goodonyou.co.nz  when voting opens on Wednesday 27 April. Voting will run until midnight on Wednesday 11 May. Each person is able to place one vote each day, so remember to vote daily and ask your friends and family to do the same.

To nominate a Sport Maker who helps you or your family with their sport, go to http://www.sportwaikato.org.nz/programmes/community-development/sport-maker.aspx