Our September - Valuable Volunteer winner is a face and a name that anyone involved in Hawke’s Bay Football for the best part of the last 50 years should recognise.

That person is none other than the hugely passionate Terry O’Neill who has been at the face of the game in our region for longer than most people can remember. He is one of the most committed people around in passing on football knowledge and supporting our beautiful game.

Originally relocated to Napier in the 70’s to play for Napier City Rovers, the years that followed saw Mr O’Neill immerse himself within Hawke’s Bay Football with various roles in coaching, management & committee positions across a number of our clubs and Central Football. Examples of these include Senior Coaching positions with Napier City Rovers, Taradale AFC, Port Hill United and his current club Eskview United FC. Many of our local juniors have had the pleasure of been coached by Terry. To attempt to work out the number of Juniors who have experienced a Terry O’Neill session would be an extremely difficult task. The man has led so many Junior training sessions for clubs and taken teams at clubs mentioned above as well schools. Added to this a significant amount of Terry’s time in others off-seasons has also gone into the Central Football Talent Centre,coaching these representative sides and also leading Central Federation teams at National Age Group Tournaments. Terry’s good deeds do not stop there as he is the current President of Eskview Junior Football Club, a role he has currently enjoyed for a number of seasons.

Terry’s support of our game doesn’t stop there as he volunteers more than just his time by offering himself and his trusty white truck to move portable goals across venues (and back) for Central’s holiday programmes that so many young players take part in.

Terry – your contribution in our game is phenomenal, and we can’t thank you enough. Please know that all of the football community in Hawke’s Bay truly appreciate your continued support and input. From all of us here at Central Football – thank you.

It is our pleasure to acknowledge Mr Terry O’Neill as the Valuable Volunteer winner for September.

Article added: Tuesday 28 September 2021