Husband and wife Brent and Gail Hussey have been jointly awarded Tri NZ Technical Official of the Year.
This award recognises volunteers in the sport of triathlon who go the extra mile when it comes to volunteering at events and officiating at a level that will eventually bring them international opportunities.
Last year Brent and Gail were technical officials at eight national events, 16 regional events with the Hawke's Bay Multisport Club and also travelled to Sydney under the SPARC PM Scholarship funding to officiate at the ITU World Championship Series.
Both Brent and Gail give up a lot of holiday time to do these events, Brent worked it out that he gives up about 10 annual leave days a year to officiate at events. When you discuss this with them, they would say "we don't see it as giving up anything we love doing it.”
Brent and Gail have also received their Level 2 Tri NZ and Level 1 ITU Technical Official Qualifications over the past year, and have made a commitment that within six years they will officiate at ITU races in Europe.
The whole of the Hussey family - Brent, Gail, Samantha, Abigail and their youngest Beverley all volunteer at Hawke's Bay Multisport Club events, Beverley also won this year's Kids Krew volunteer of the year award for volunteering at the most events and her sister Abigail had won this award the previous year.
The Hussey's received their Triathlon New Zealand award last week at a presentation put on by Sport Hawke's Bay who also recognised them for their great achievement and significant contribution to sport.
Tri NZ Event Support Manager Penny Skaife said the Husseys were extremely deserving of the award.
"Brent and Gail are some of the nicest and most dedicated people you could ever meet. They do an incredible job and demonstrate what the sport of triathlon is all about.”
