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Honours
New Zealand National Team Representatives
Corporal Darren Rea, RNZEME
Unfortunately, the Army Softball Committee has not received Darren’s representative details, but is making efforts to source them.
Warrant Officer Class One Grant McCarroll, RNZAPTC
Grant was first selected for the NZ Army men’s team as an outfielder/pitcher in 1986 in his first year of Inter-Regional Softball. He has been a regular member of the men’s side ever since and has been part of many Army teams that have won the Combined Services and NZDF tournaments. Highlights of his playing career to date, is as follows:
- Selected for NZ Army Men’s Team
- 1987-89 NZ Combined Services
- 1990 Bloomington Beernuts (US club side)
- 1989-95 Canterbury Senior Men’s Team
- 1996 NZ Combined Services
- 2000-04 NZDF Men’s Team.
- 2006 Debut for NZ Black Sox (Japan Tour)
In 1998 Grant was appointed Manager of the World Champion NZ Black Sox, an appointment he stood down from in 2006. A highlight of this appointment has been managing the Black Sox World Series side to Gold medal victories at the 2000 men’s World Championship in South Africa and again at the 2004 World Championships in Christchurch.
In Grant’s last tour as Manager (Japan 2006) Grant was given the opportunity to realise his playing dream and take the diamond against the Japan U23 national side. For the record, Grant had one turn at bat, hit a line drive to left field and retired having gained the perfect batting average of 1000 for his international playing career.
Grant is very proud of his involvement with the NZ Army Softball fraternity and is grateful to the many opportunities the Army and the sport of Softball have provided him. “The results speak for themselves, both the Army men’s and women’s teams have been the best performed Army sports teams for the past decade”.
Warrant Officer Class One Wayne Small, RNZALR
In 2006, Wayne Small was appointed the manager of the NZ Men’s Black Sox team filling the shoes of WO1 Grant McCarroll. Wayne’s first assignment with the Black Sox was to tour Japan with the outgoing manager, in May 2006. Wayne then toured Australia with the NZ A Development selection in December 2006 and then went with the Black Sox to Canada in June 2007. In 2009, Wayne attended the ISF Men's World Softball Championships in Saskatoon, Canada in July where the Black Sox finished second.
New Zealand U21 National Team
Lance Corporal Trevor Gilbert, RNZE
In December 1969, Trevor was selected into the NZ U21 team following the National Inter Provincial tournament at Invercargill. Trevor was selected as the centre fielder. The team played against the touring Arizona All Stars at Athletic Park (of all places) in the March 1970. This was the first time a Colts team was selected and the team was not presented with blazer pockets and they did not even have a proper uniform made at that time. They actually played in the NZ Combined Services black strip.
A fact that was concealed at the time was the Army coach Maurice Bull was approached during the tournament in Invercargill and asked If any of his team where eligible for the Colts team and he put Trevor’s and a couple of other names forward.
Trevor was 21 at the time and when we played the All Stars he was 22, so technically, he was not supposed to play, but Mum’s the word.
New Zealand U23 National Team
and Great Britain National Team
Sapper Patrick Morgan, RNZE
In 1996, Rick a member of the NZ Combined Services team was selected into the NZ U23 team at the completion of the Men’s Provincial Championships at Cuthberts Green, Christchurch. Rick’s explosive speed, solid offence and defence saw him chosen as an outfielder for the team.
In 1997, Rick took his release from the Army venturing to London, in time he gained selection into the Great Britain softball team. During 2003, the Great Britain team qualified high enough in the European group to gain enter to the 2004 International Softball Federation Men’s World Softball Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand. At the completion of section play, Rick’s batting average put him atop of all other hitters in the tournament. His attendance at the championships was also a great opportunity to catch up with his family and Army softball friends.
New Zealand Softball Statistician
Mrs Dale Tamehana
The Army Softball Committee is endeavouring to complete Dale’s achievements. The following is a summary of her outstanding softball career spanning from 1967 to 2002.
- NZ Scorer 1981 to 2002
- NZ Chief Scorer 1997 to 2002
- NZ Team Scorer at Women’s World Series in Japan, July 1998
- Tournament Chief Scorer - South Pacific Classic in Christchurch, February 1998
- NZ Women’s Team Scorer - Europe & USA Tour, June-July 1997
- Harlem Softball Olympic Revenge in Netherlands
- Superball Classic ‘97 International in Columbus, Georgia
- NZ Men’s Team Scorer - USA and North American Tour, June -July 1994
- Official Scorer for Test Matches held within NZ; NZ vs International Teams, Japan, USA, Canada, Australia, Netherlands and Chinese Taipei over the past years
- National Men’s and Women’s Provincial & Interclub Tournament Chief Scorer, Statistician and/or Official Scorer
- Past Manawatu Chief Scorer and Manawatu Representative Team Scorer
- Manawatu sports official of the year 1997
- SNZs only statistician at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games
- 2000 Maori Sports Administrator of the Year
- NZDF Statistician and scorer 1981 to 2002
Provincial Representatives
Vince Lawrence and Dennis Tawhara
1960 - 1961 Manawatu Men’s Team, player
Darren Rea
1987 - 1998 Canterbury Men’s Team player
Grant McCarroll
1988 - 1994 Canterbury Men’s Team, player
1995 - 1997 Marlborough Men’s Team, player
Sue Harrison
2004 - 2007 Canterbury U19 Girls, Assistant Coach 2009 Canterbury U19 Girls and Canterbury Red Hawks
Phillip Johnson
2004 - 2006 Canterbury U15 Boys, Assistant Coach
2006 - 2007 Canterbury U15 Boys, Head Coach
2007 - 2008 Canterbury U17 Boys, Head Coach
Lynda Pascoe
2007 - 2008 Canterbury Women’s National League team, Assistant Coach
Jenni Mumm
1998 Manawatu, player
1999 Waikato, player
2003 Southern Pride, player
2007 - 2009 Canterbury Redhawks National League team, player
Dale Tamehana
1990 Manawatu Statistician
Derryn Morgan
1990 Manawatu Statistician
Awhina Hokianga
2010 Canterbury U19 Girls Team, player
All Defence Force softball personnel who have represented the NZ Combined Services and NZDF teams at National Provincial Championship Tournaments are considered to be Provincial Representatives.
The Army Colour
The Army colour is awarded to service people who merit special recognition for their services to Army sport may be awarded the Army Colour by the Chief of Army on the recommendation of the Army Sports Committee. The Army Colour is to be awarded only to those service people who have made some outstanding contribution to an approved Army Sport. They must have reached at least a provincial or combined services level of representation in the sport and also have coached, administered, or made some other significant contribution to foster the sport.
Details of Army softball personnel who have been awarded the Army colour for softball have never been recorded. Through information provided by former Army softball members however, it is understood that Alan Shirley was a recipient of this honour for Army softball.
The documented recipients of the Army Colour are as follows:
WO1 Vincent “Kina” Lawrence
In 1962, Kina Lawrence was awarded the Army Colour (also referred to in those days as the Army “Blue”) for his outstanding and long service to Army basketball, softball, athletics and shooting.Unfortunately, Vince Lawrence’s citation is not available, however, it is known that he was heavily involved for many years with a number of Army sports codes, not only as a player, but as a coach and manager.
In 1961, Vince was selected into the Manawatu Softball Team to play at the National Championships.Vince Lawrence is believed to be the first softball representative in the Army to be awarded the Army Colour.
He also won the Silver Fern with the NZ Basketball team as a referee.
WO1 John Eagar
The Army Softball Committee are in the process of obtaining the background to this award.
Warrant Officer Class One Alex Whittaker, RNZLAR
WO1 Whittaker is awarded the Army Colour with effect 10 July 1998
WO1 Whittaker’s NZ Army softball playing, coaching and administrating career spanned over 15 years. WO1 Whittaker first represented the Army in 1983 and finished her playing days in 1992. WO1 Whittaker also represented the Combined Services from 1983 to 1985 and represented the NZ Force South East Asia (Singapore) from 1986 to 1988. Her civilian playing career was with the Miramar Women’s team from 1988 to 1991. During this time she has been a steadfast supporter of the sport of Softball in particular. To her credit she has also been involved in volleyball and basketball with NZ Army teams.
WO1 Whittaker’s coaching career saw her appointed as the coach of the Miramar Women’s team from 1992 to 1993, the Army Women’s team 1992 to 1994 and 1998 and the Combined Services Women’s team assistant coach in 1994 and as the coach in 1998.
Staff Sergeant Grant McCarroll, NZAPTC
SSgt McCarroll is awarded the Army Colour with effect 06 September 2000.
SSgt McCarroll’s contribution to softball spans 13 years as a representative player and administrator. SSgt McCarroll was the manager of the New Zealand Men’s softball team from 1998 to the present time. In that time, SSgt McCarroll toured with the Black Sox team to Canada and Australia. SSgt McCarroll was also the manager of the World Champion New Zealand Men’s softball team, which won the World Series in South Africa 2000.
Warrant Officer Class One Winnie Shanley, RNZSigs
Warrant Officer Class One Shanley is awarded the Army Colour with effect 13 February 2001.
WO1 Shanley’s involvement in softball dates back to 1972 when she was first selected to represent the New Zealand Army. She was selected to represent the New Zealand Combined Services team in 1977 and remained in both the Army and Combined Services teams through to 1980.
In 1986, WO1 Shanley took on administrative roles as an Army Softball Code Committee Member and Manager of the Army Women’s Team. She held both of these appointments for four years until 1990, when she was appointed the Code Chairperson for Army Softball and one year later, in conjunction with her Army Softball Code responsibilities, WO1 Shanley was appointed the New Zealand Combined Services Code Chairperson. She held both of these appointments through to 1995 when she stood down due to an overseas posting.
WO1 Shanley has returned to Army Softball in 2001 as the Army Women’s Manager; her final appearance at the New Zealand Defence Force Tournament. WO1 Shanley takes her release from the New Zealand Army on 19 February 2001 after 30 years service, 24 of which has seen her involved in Softball at Army and Combined Services Levels.
WO1 Shanley’s outstanding service, dedication and commitment to Army softball makes her a worthy recipient of the NZ Army Colour.
Warrant Officer Class Two Dean Groves, RNZALR
WO2 Groves is awarded the Army Colour with effect November 2006.
WO2 Groves has represented the NZ Army Men’s softball team from1989 to the present day, he has been the captain of the team since 2002. WO2 Groves has also represented the Combined Services Men’s softball team over the following years 1989, 91, 92, 94 & 96. WO2 Groves has also represented the NZDF Men’s softball team since it’s inception in 1998 to the present day and was the Vice Captain in 2003, 2004 & Captain in 2005.
WO2 Groves has represented the Marlborough Senior Provincial team in 1996 and represented the Hutt Valley Cardinals Premiere team in 2000 and 2001.
He has completed his Level 1 & Level 2 coaching courses.
WO2 Groves has been on the Softball Code Committee since 1997 and is still an active committee member today. He has been the Northern Code Representative since 2000 and was instrumental in organised the 2004 Inter-Regional and NZDF Softball tournaments in Waiouru. On top of this, during his posting to Waiouru, WO2 Groves resurrected the Waiouru Softball club and in particular the junior aspect of the club where they managed to field four Tee ball teams for the season.
WO2 Groves is highly regarded as one of the best softball players in the NZDF, his continued selection as captain of both the NZ Army and NZDF men’s sides is testament to that. His playing and leadership ability on the playing diamond, however, is only half of what he offers to the Army and NZDF softball. Of as much value, is his unquestioned desire and commitment to NZ Army and NZDF softball behind the scenes, which sets him apart from most other NZ Army sportsmen and women.
WO2 Groves’ success as a player, his appointment as captain of both the NZ Army and NZDF men’s teams and his efforts behind the scenes as a tournament and club organiser, makes him a worthy recipient of the NZ Army Colour.
Chief of Army Major General Louis Gardiner (right) presents Warrant Officer Class 2 Dean Groves with the Army colour and blazer at the 2006 Army Sports Awards dinner at Trentham Camp.
Mrs Sue Harrison
Sue Harrison holding the 2009 Army Sports Official of the Year trophy wearing the Army Colour pocket that was presented by Chief of Army on 24 March 2010 (OH-10-0144-042).
Mrs Sue Harrison is awarded the Army Colour with effect April 2010., for her services to Softball.
Mrs Sue Harrison, Catering Platoon, Burnham Camp, has been a stalwart of Army and NZDF Women’s Softball for nearly two decades. Her passion and enthusiasm for the game is infectious which is why she is such a great role model and mentor for young Softball players across the NZDF. Mrs Harrison has captained both the NZ Army and NZDF Women’s softball teams, and now contributes as a Coach of both teams.
Mrs Harrison still competes at the highest level of club Softball in Canterbury. She has chosen to contribute as a Coach where she has excelled achieving national honours in July 2009 with her appointment as Assistant Coach of the New Zealand Junior Women’s team (White Sox) which competed in the Friendship games in Sydney.
In 2004, Mrs Harrison was recognised for her services to Softball with the presentation of the Army pocket for Administration. She is only the second person to receive both awards.
By virtue of her continued contribution to Softball, her unrelenting persistence to develop as a Coach, which has seen her reach national honours, Mrs Harrison is worthy of recognition at the highest level of Army sport.
Warrant Officer Class One Wayne Small, RNZALR
Wayne Small - Army Colour Recipient (AW-11-0614-1).
WO1 Wayne Small is awarded the Army Colour with effect February 2011, for his services to Softball.
WO1 Small’s contribution to softball commenced as assistant coach of the NZ Army Men’s softball team in 1991. When he was selected as a player in the NZ Army Men’s softball team in 1993, WO1 Small stepped down from the coaching role, but returned in 1996, again as assistant coach. He was appointed as coach of the NZ Army Men’s softball team in 1998, the position he held until he was posted overseas to Canberra for the last two years. WO1 Small has also held the position of head coach of the NZDF Softball team.
WO1 Small has represented his region, the NZ Army, NZDF and civilian softball teams for a protracted period. In addition he has been an active member of the Army Softball Committee since 1996.
The highlight of WO1 Small’s Softball career to date was his appointment as Manager of the New Zealand Men’s national side – The Black Sox in May 2006. Throughout his tenure as Manager of the Black Sox, WO1 Small has applied his superior inter-personal skills, meticulous planning ability and all round managerial prowess to good effect. He has successfully managed overseas tours to Australia, Samoa, Japan, Argentina and Canada; all successful campaigns where the Black Sox managed to retain their ranking as the number one team in the World. In June of this year WO1 Small managed the Black Sox throughout a build up tour of North America in preparation for the World Championship in Saskatoon, Canada. The Black Sox unfortunately lost the final to Australia; however silver medal at a World Championship is an outstanding achievement.
WO1 Small’s outstanding contribution to Army and Services sport makes him a worthy recipient of the Army Colour.
The Army Pocket for Administration
The Army pocket for administration is awarded for outstanding administrative services to Army Sport over a period of at least five years. Service sports people who merit special recognition for their services to Army sport may be awarded the Army pocket for administration by the Chief of Army on the recommendation of the Army Sports Committee. Coaching alone will not qualify a candidate for a Service award. The pocket is the Army badge surmounting the words For Services to Army Sport.
WO1 Wayne Small, RNZALR
Awarded with effect 30 January 2004
WO1 Small’s contribution to softball commenced as an assistant coach of the NZ Army Men’s softball team in 1991. When he was selected as a player in the NZ Army Men’s softball team in 1993, WO1 Small stepped down from the coaching role, but returned in 1996, again as an assistant coach. He was appointed as coach on the NZ Army Men’s softball team in 1998, the position he held until December 2005. WO1 Small was also the coach of the NZDF Men’s softball team from 2002 - 2004.
WO1 Small is a worthy recipient of the Army pocket for administration for his services to Army softball.
Mrs Sue Harrison
Awarded with effect 30 January 2004
Mrs Harrison first became involved in coaching softball in 1996 when she was selected as the assistant coach for the NZ Army Women’s softball team. She has held this appointment from 1996 to 2003 and also held the coaches appointment in 1995 and 2001. Mrs Harrison has had much success in her role as both assistant coach and coach. The Army Women are the current NZDF Champions and have been for six out of seven years, under Mrs Harrison’s leadership.
Mrs Harrison has held the appointment of Assistant Coach for the NZDF Women’s softball team.
Major Dean Pascoe, RNZALR
Dean Pascoe Service pocket (AW-10-1209-3).
Awarded with effect 22 January 2008
Major Dean Pascoe has been actively involved with the Burnham Softball Club since 1998 and has recently handed over the reigns of the Club to a new Club President to enable succession planning over the next 12 months. Throughout his tenure, Major Pascoe has shown commitment beyond that generally expected and over the years has given a considerable amount of his time for the benefit of the Club, its players, officials and the Burnham community in general.
Major Pascoe has held the role of Club President since 1998. In this role, he has displayed superior planning and organisational skills that have added significant value to the management and administrative arrangements of the Club. Since 1998, Burnham has sustained a healthy membership (particularly given the transient population) of between 60 to 120 members. Softball has over these years remained a popular sport within the Burnham community and is a feeder into the Canterbury softball scene. Through his diligence and leadership, the Burnham Softball Club has also maintained strong links with the Canterbury Softball Association
In addition to the Club President role, Major Pascoe has played, managed and coached various teams. The successful running of the 2001 NZDF Softball and 2005 Inter-Regional tournaments were in the main due to the time and effort Major Pascoe put into planning, organising and managing these events. To enable Burnham members to participate at premier level, Major Pascoe was instrumental this season in fostering a co-affiliation between Burnham and the Royals men’s premier team to enable Burnham personnel to participate at a premier level whilst still maintaining direct links back to the Burnham Club. Major Pascoe is also playing for this premier team in the 200/2008 season.
Major Pascoe has been involved in Inter-Regional and Army softball since 2001. At regional level he works tirelessly behind the scenes in his capacity as the Southern Softball Code representative to co-ordinate the participation of Southern teams. He has also taken on Manager and player roles over these years in support of Southern regional softball. At Army level Dean has managed the Army men’s team since 2001 and has been Contingent Commander for two tours to Australia (2004 and 2007). In 2003 Major Pascoe was selected as the Manager for the NZDF side.
Major Pascoe has made outstanding individual contributions to NZ Army and NZDF sport and is a worthy recipient of the Pocket for Administration.
AWARDS
Army Sports Awards
The NZ Army Sports Committee hosts the Army Sports Awards on an annual basis to recognise sporting excellence within the NZ Army and beyond. The first Army Sports Awards was held in 2003. As well as recognising individual achievement each of the 11 approved sporting codes are represented at the awards.
Nominations and successes from Army Softball are as follows:
2002/03 Sporting Year
Team of the Year Finalists - Army Men’s and Women’s softball teams
2003/04 Sporting Year
Team of the Year Finalists - Army Men’s softball team
Official of the Year Winner - Major A. Whittaker
Official of the Year Finalist - WO1 W. Small
Outstanding Sports Award Winner - WO1 G. McCarroll
2004/05 Sporting Year
Team of the Year Finalists - Army Men’s and Women’s softball teams
Individual Sports Person of the Year Finalist - WO2 D. Groves
Individual Sports Person of the Year Finalist - Mrs J. Mumm
Official of the Year Winner - WO1 W. Small
Outstanding Sports Award Finalist - WO1 G. McCarroll
2005/06 Sporting Year
Team of the Year Finalists - Army Men’s softball team
Official of the Year Finalist - Mrs S. Harrison
Individual Sports Person of the Year Finalist - Mrs J. Mumm
Outstanding Sports Award Finalist - WO1 G. McCarroll
Outstanding Sports Award Finalist - WO1 W. Small
2006/07 Sporting Year
Team of the Year Winner - Army Men’s softball team
Official of the Year Winner - WO2 D. Groves
Official of the Year Finalist - Mrs L. Pascoe
Individual Sports Person of the Year Finalist - Mrs J. Mumm
Outstanding Sports Award Finalist - WO1 W. Small
2008 Sporting Year
Official of the Year Winner - SSGT Nicky Hansen
Official of the Year Finalist - Mrs Sue Harrison and WO2 D. Groves
Individual Sports Person of the Year Finalist - Mrs J. Mumm
Outstanding Sports Award Finalist - WO1 W. Small
2009 Sporting Year
Team of the Year Finalist - Army Women’s softball team
Official of the Year Winner - Mrs Sue Harrison
Official of the Year Finalist - WO2 D. Groves
Outstanding Sports Award Finalist - WO1 W. Small
2010 Sporting Year
Outstanding Sports Award Nominees - MAJ C. Willocks, SSGT Nicky Hansen and Mrs Sue Harrison
NZDF Sports Awards
The NZDF Colour
The NZDF Colour is awarded to Service personnel and NZDF civilian employees who merit special recognition for their services in Defence Force sport. The Defence Force colour is awarded by the Chief of Defence Force on the recommendation of the NZDF Sports Committee (NZDFSC).
The Defence Force colour is to be awarded only to those who have made an outstanding contribution in an approved Defence Force Sport(s). They must have reached at least a provincial or Defence Force level of representation in the sport and have coached, administered, or made some other significant contribution in the development and fostering of Defence Force sport.
The NZDF Colour crest
Captain Grant McCarroll
Grant McCarroll, the first softball recipient of the NZDF Colour (AW-10-1209-2).
Captain McCarroll’s NZDF Colour Citation is as follows:
Captain Grant McCarroll, NZ Army has been involved in NZDF Softball since 2001. Grant has been, and still is, a playing or officiating member of NZDF Softball and has given loyal and dedicated service to the development of softball for the Army and NZDF while also raising the profile of the Code in the wider community.
NZDF Softball now participates at the NZ National Club Championships and this can be directly attributed to Grant’s efforts in getting recognition from Softball NZ for NZDF Softball to compete at this high level.
Grant’s selection into the NZ Black Sox and as a senior member of Army and NZDF Softball cannot be understated; he is the interface between Softball NZ and NZDF Softball. His experience and leadership sees him actively involved in planning and organising NZDF softball activities and, even when not involved, is often called upon to provide advice and guidance.
Grant is an inspiration to many service personnel and civilian staff to strive for sporting excellence and is willing to give his time to assist with Softball at all levels. Grant is the first recipient of the NZDF Colour and the first softball representative.
He is a consummate professional who has made a significant contribution to NZDF Softball making him a most worthy recipient of the NZDF Colour.
NZDF Sports Awards
2009 Sporting Year
NZDF Sports Official of the Year - Mrs Sue Harrison
New Zealand Community Awards
WO1 Grant McCarroll in recognition of his outstanding service with the New Zealand Men’s Black Sox Softball Team was awarded the following community awards in 2004:
Upper Hutt City Outstanding Sports Award for the Administrator of the Year.
Wellington Region Sports award for the Administrator of the Year.
This page was last reviewed on 14 June 2011 and is current.
