Otago's Des Smith and Neil Mackenzie will receive national awards for their contribution to secondary school sport tomorrow night.
Smith, the regional director of the Otago Secondary Schools Sports Association, was one of the two inaugural winners of the innovation in school sport award.
New Zealand Rugby League received the other award for holding a tournament in Papakura and implementing initiatives that added value to the experience for pupils.
Mackenzie was one of two teachers to receive a service to school sport award for his long involvement in the development of football at Kaikorai Valley College and for his work for the sport at school, regional and national levels.
The other recipient was Jeannette Bell (Glendowie College) for her work with underwater hockey.
The innovation award is designed to reward successful initiatives in school sport that provide quality sporting opportunities for pupils.
Smith received the award for the establishment of sports councils in Otago secondary schools that have forged strong community-school links in Otago.
It has led to considerable increases in student participation.
Smith has presented the concept to several other regional principals and sports co-ordinator forums and many schools in other regions are now seeking to follow the Otago lead.
Smith became Otago's regional director at the end of 2006.
There was more good news this week when New Zealand Secondary School Sports Council executive director Garry Carnachan confirmed the overall participation rate for Otago secondary school sport had increased by 3% this year.
"In real terms this means there are 300 extra students playing sport in Otago this year," Smith said.
Figures for Otago in the last five years are: 2007-2008, 62%; 2009, 65%; 2010, 66%; 2011, 69%.
The national average is 51%.
Since Smith started in his role there are 700 more Otago secondary school pupils participating in sport each year.
Smith gives a lot of credit for this to the teachers, coaches and parents who have assisted in the development of secondary school sport in Otago.
The awards will be presented at the annual Otago Secondary Schools Sports Association Christmas function at the Aquatic Centre in Dunedin tomorrow.
