Lifetime Achievement Award 2016, Steve McKean MNZM ... weight, becoming the coach of the first team in the National Bask
Lifetime Achievement Award 2016, Steve McKean MNZM There was a time when the name of this recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award was synonymous with his sport. Like McCaw or McCullum, of 2016 vintage, another ‘Mc’ appeared to be everywhere in his day, as a coach, a commentator, a mentor. He was the face, the voice and the name of basketball in New Zealand in the 1970s and early 80s. 45 years ago he touched down in New Zealand from the United States, taking up a contract as a player/coach for Auckland club Panmure. It was the beginning of a long and successful association with basketball, and sport, in New Zealand. Neither party has regretted the association and both have hugely benefited from it. One of the most significant achievements in his early years in his adopted country came in 1978 when he coached the New Zealand basketball team to its first ever win over Australia. That game and the players that played in the black singlet that night have taken on legendary status in New Zealand sport. He coached the national side for four years before relinquishing the reins to move to New Plymouth where he continued coaching at national league level. He ensured the Taranaki based team continually punched above its weight, becoming the coach of the first team in the National Basketball League to win 100 games. His contribution to his chosen sport was recognised in 1978 and 2002, when he received the New Zealand Basketball Coach of the Year Award. But coaching top level basketball is only a part of this amazing story of achievement. While his time at the elite level of the game ensured his profile was high, it has been his work at the grass roots that has confirmed tonight’s recipient as a true legend of sport in New Zealand. For more than twenty years he has used his passion, enthusiasm, knowledge and personality to relate to a wide cross section of the sporting population of Taranaki and New Zealand with his involvement in secondary schools sport as a Regional Sports Director for Sport Taranaki and secondary schools sport co-ordinator. He has been quoted as saying he has the best job in the world and that there is no better arena to be involved in than secondary school sport. Described as having a larger than life personality, he has gained immense respect and has consistently achieved the highest ratio of male and female secondary school student participation in organised sport anywhere in New Zealand. His instinctive desire to serve others and his efforts to enhance New Zealander’s recreational opportunities are examples of his community service to his adopted homeland. He is passionate about sport, but perhaps more importantly he is passionate about helping others better themselves. In 2012 he received the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to sport. Ladies and gentlemen please acknowledge a truly deserving recipient of this lifetime achievement award - known affectionately as ‘Coach’, tonight’s award goes to Steve McKean.
