2 July 2024
The prestigious Pirtek Volunteer of the Month award sees members of our grassroots rugby league community across Aotearoa recognised for their dedication, hard mahi, and service to the game.
This award is given to volunteers who display the core values of NZRL’s Kiwi Way: being family first, innovative, inclusive, respectful, respectful and humble. New Zealand Rugby League is proud to announce our second winner for 2024, the Pirtek Volunteer of the Month award for June goes to Damion ‘Donks’ Murray.
Damion is a key member of the Portland Panthers Rugby League Club in Whangārei and has been touted as the ultimate volunteer for the Northland club.
Damion has coached multiple Panthers’ junior teams including the U12’s and U14 Boys and Girls, and he can be found at every training and game day around the club rain or shine.
If any tamaiti wants to play rugby league Damion ensures there is no barrier keeping them from participating.
With no local competition for girls to play past U12’s, every week he personally transports girls in his vehicle from Whangārei to Moerewa almost an hour away, so they can attend trainings. He then drives the girls to Auckland on weekends so they are able to play in the competition there.
Damion is so passionate about rugby league that all costs come from his own pocket, having sponsored many Player of the Day awards and fees for many tamariki over the years.
Outside of the Panthers he is also heavily involved in the Aotearoa NZ Māori Rugby League Tournaments, having coached two Ngāpuhi Ahi teams in 2023 and taken an U14 team to the recent June Rangatahi Tama Tournament in Rotorua. Damion is also coaching an U12 Ngāpuhi Ahi team heading to the Tamariki Tournament in September.
Pirtek CEO Chris Bourke shared, “Congratulations to Damion for being this month’s Pirtek Volunteer of the Month!
“His unwavering dedication to the Portland Panthers Rugby League club from coaching multiple teams to personally transporting players, truly embodies the spirit of community and selfless passion for the sport.”
Congratulations Damion from New Zealand Rugby League!
