Blind Sport New Zealand Life Membership

Life Membership is the highest level of recognition within Blind Sport New Zealand. It aims to recognise outstanding individual contribution to blind and low vision sport within New Zealand.

For more information please see the criteria and nomination form below. Please contact admin@blindsport.kiwi if you have any questions.

BLind Sport New Zealand LIFE MEMBERS

John Puhara

John Puhara pictured on the Great Wall of China in 2005. With Blind Sport NZ, John visited Beijing, China to attend an International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) event.

John Puhara pictured on the Great Wall of China in 2005. With Blind Sport NZ, John visited Beijing, China to attend an International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) event.

John Puhara was awarded Blind Sport New Zealand Life Membership following the BSNZ AGM in 2020. With a sporting career that spans over 60 years, John has represented New Zealand in a range of sports including athletics, blind lawn bowls, and blind cricket. Some career highlights include attending the FESPICS in 1977, the Blind Cricket World Cup in 1998, and completing multiple marathons. John has also held roles of responsibility in a range of clubs and associations throughout the years

Criteria for life membership

The following outlines the criteria and procedure to be used for Life Membership awards:

  1. Any past or present member of Blind Sport New Zealand (BSNZ) may be nominated for life membership of BSNZ.

  2. Nominations may be made by any BSNZ Member (as defined by the BSNZ Constitution) or any Sport New Zealand Group Partner Organisation.

  3. To be elected, the nominee must have demonstrated:

    • an outstanding contribution to blind and low vision sport over a long time in one of the following areas, and

    • at least some contribution in at least one other area,

    a. Player
    b. Coach/Manager/Umpire/Technical Official/Guide
    c. Administrator
    d. General Contributor (including fundraising, supporting and other issues that the Board deem relevant)

    • or they must demonstrate contributions not outlined above but deemed worthy by the Board upon reading the nomination

  4. In deciding what constitutes an ‘outstanding contribution’ the Board shall consider:

    • whether the nominee matches the contributions made by existing Life Members

    • the period over which contributions have been made

    • the importance of the contribution to the blind and low vision sport and active recreation community

  5. All nominations for Life Membership must be sent to BSNZ at least one month prior to the AGM on the prescribed nomination form (provided below).

  6. All evidence regarding the nominee’s involvement must be in sufficient detail to allow the Board to make an informed decision based on the criteria in this policy as to whether the nominee is worthy of Life Membership.

  7. To determine if the nominee is worthy of Life Membership, the Board shall undertake a critical appraisal of the evidence on the nomination form against the criteria of this policy. The Board must vote to accept any nomination prior to the AGM by at least a 75% majority.

  8. The nominations for Life Membership that have been accepted by the Board will presented at the AGM. Members will then vote on whether to award Life Membership. Two thirds acceptance by Members present at the AGM is required.