6 June 2024
The prestigious Pirtek Volunteer of the Month award returns for 2024, as members of the grassroots rugby league community across Aotearoa are given the chance to see their hard mahi for the game recognised.
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 first winners for 2024, the Pirtek Volunteer of the Month award for May is jointly given to Troy and Sam Davis.
Troy, his wife Sam, and their two young sons are right at the heart of the Mt. Albert Lions junior grade teams in Auckland.
A Mt. Albert junior himself from a long-time committed family, Troy often assisted by his sons can be found down at the club helping in any possible way.
This includes setting up fields early Saturday mornings, rain, hail, or shine, driving monthly junior prizegivings, finding team sponsors and prizes, cleaning and monitoring the club’s car park ensuring cars keep to a safe speed for children, manning the BBQ for fundraising, and cleaning the sheds.
Troy was even instrumental in rebuilding the club’s changing rooms, volunteering his expertise as a block layer and brick mason to help reconfigure the changing rooms.
Like Troy, Sam wears many hats around the club from volunteer administrator to kitchen hand, sock seller, and uniform sorter. She connects families new to the club with the appropriate coaches and teams, and is always present at games throughout the winter to ensure all families have a great rugby league experience.
Their sons are ballboys for senior teams and are always on hand to assist with cleaning and other tasks to help around the club.
As a family, they give endless energy and support to not only the club, but also the wider junior football community in Auckland by hosting Friday night games for local clubs.
Pirtek CEO Chris Bourke shared, “Troy and Sam Davis, together with their children, embody the Kiwi way, earning them the title of May’s Pirtek Volunteer of the Month.
“Their devoted service to the Mt. Albert Lions and their inclusive attitude towards members of all clubs ensures a positive experience for everyone involved.”
Congratulations to Troy and Sam Davis!
