Bucklands Beach win local Club of the Year award and grant a Life Membership

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Bucklands Beach have been recognised at the 2023 Howick Sports Awards, winning the local Sports Club of the Year award.

Club members from Bucklands Beach and Fencibles United featured in the nominations for awards.

These included Ben Bongiovanni (Bucklands Beach) who was nominated for Volunteer of the Year and Melanie Nicol (Fencibles United) who was nominated for Administrator of the Year,

Bucklands Beach vice president David Pasco and Fencibles United’s Ian Davies were recognised with Service to Sport awards.

Eastern Suburbs’ Zoe Benson, a member of the New Zealand U-19 team, won the Sportswoman of the Year award.

Before joining Suburbs, she played for Bucklands Beach.

Bucklands Beach’s leading goalscorer Sander Waterland was a nominee for Sportsman of the Year.

David Pasco awarded Life Membership

Bucklands Beach have recognised the work of David Pasco by granting him Life Membership.

In their citation, the club said:

“David’s BBAFC journey began in 2004 as a side-line parent before becoming manager for his son Harrison’s team in
2005.

“In 2007, he took the coaching reigns where he coached the team to a Division 2 title in his first season in charge.

“2011 saw David form a lethal coaching partnership with Paul Mackenzie in the U-17s and eventually U-19s where
they led their team to victory, winning two titles in three fantastic seasons, before he joined the famous 0-40s Thunderbirds as a player, then later was promoted to captain, captaining the Thunderbirds to two Division Titles in 2014 and 2019.

“Joining the Exec in 2010 as treasurer, before being nominated for the vice president role in 2022, at which time he was awarded the Prestigious Yellow Jacket.

“David dedicates many hours to BBAFC and has done for countless years.

“David was instrumental in the drive towards a club culture of belonging and ownership amongst the players, coaches and supporters.”