ABC player, coach and manager John Bonneywell has just been awarded NZ Hockey’s Bronze service award for his 18 years of service to coaching hockey.
This year John has been managing and coaching the successful Division 1 Black team. Garry Bishop Club President said: "It has been fantastic to have John, co-coaching, managing, and playing in our D1 Black side with his son Jack. We couldn’t have run that team, let alone had the success that it has had, without John’s knowledge, commitment, and support."
John has been predominantly coaching within Secondary Schools, coaching at national tournaments as well as taking overseas tours. He has had successful experiences at every level; school, club and representative levels, and has coached as part of the Auckland Hockey Association and North Harbour Hockey.
John specialises in goal keeper coaching having learnt from one of the best, Martijn Drijver, whilst in the Netherlands. John is a proud ABC member, as a player and a coach across the divisional teams and youth grade. He is particularly proud that both his son and daughter play for ABC and are both making their own way in the club. John is well known for his ability to relate to all ages and players of the game and he has been known to use the phrase “ball speed” and "ump" on many occasions.
John is looking forward to many more years of playing and coaching and he is proud of the way that Glenfield College has recently grown with its hockey strength and hopes that this will continue in the future.
Tobin Blathwayt said "I have known John since 2012 when I met him playing for ABC Over 35s. He was the founding captain of the ABC Senior 2 Maroon team that was a combination of talented youth and some experienced older hands. Maroon was bottom half way through its inaugural season in 2013 before recovering and going on to win the Plate in 2013 and then the Championship in 2014 being undefeated for 20 games - John's goal-a-game going a long way to securing that position. John is a talented communicator and always maintains a positive attitude and he is particular sympathetic to, and supportive of, less able players. He always exhibits strong values and is a man of integrity. As well as captaining and managing ABC teams, John has also been a key part of the ABC youth programme over several years and he has been responsible for mentoring and developing a large number of players over the years."
ABC 2014 team with future Black Stick Charl Ulrich and current ABC D2 players John Sellar, Dwayne Carroll and Tobin Blathwayt
Thank you John for your ongoing contribution to hockey, we love having you as part of the ABC family.
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