<![CDATA[<div style="position:absolute; left:0px; top:100px; color:d6d6d6;"><h3><font color="DarkBlue">LATEST NEWS </h3></font><br><br><br><font color="Black"><b>Auckland City Olympian Function – Alexandra Park, Wednesday 24th June, 5.30pm</font> </b><br><br>On Wednesday 24th June 2009, Sport Auckland hosted one of 17 Olympian’s functions around New Zealand, on behalf of the NZ Olympic Committee and the Olympians Club of New Zealand. The function was to celebrate the Beijing Olympics landmark of 1000 New Zealand Olympians and acknowledge the outstanding achievements and commitment of Olympians.<br><br>Of the 125 Auckland-based Olympians invited, 74 attended to receive their commemorative pin and certificate and Geoff Bryan, MC for the evening, set the scene well with reminiscing of his Olympic experiences. There were speeches from Sue Brewster CEO Sport Auckland, Mike Stanley NZOC President, His Worship the Honourable John Banks, Mayor of Auckland City and Ralph Roberts, Olympians Club. VIP guests from local organizations meant there was a comprehensive representation from the community and there was a wide range of media including a TV3 live broadcast. <a href="http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/New-Zealands-Olympic-athletes-honoured/tabid/317/articleID/109915/cat/70/Default.aspx?src=email" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to view the footage.<br> <br>National pride was to the fore as Sarah-Jayne Phillips, soloist and head girl for Marist College, performed a spine-tingling, unaccompanied performance of the national anthem.<br><br>It was an honour to be in the presence of past and present Olympian greats including Sir Murray Halberg, Ian Ferguson and Hamish Carter. It was also a great privilege to have, Dr Mike Butler, receive Jack Lovelock’s pin and certificate. As a nephew of Jack Lovelock, Dr Mike Butler, spoke briefly about being able to receive this wonderful mark of respect and the incredible role models that Olympians were, for average New Zealanders such as him.<br><br><br><h3><font color="DarkBlue">COURSES / EVENTS / WORKSHOPS </h3></font><br><br><br><h4><b><font color="Green">Upcoming Active Movement workshops </h4> </b></font> <a href="http://www.sportsground.co.nz/ClubSite.asp?SiteID=10036&PageTypeID=3&PageID=33195&Tab=6&BringToFront=true" target="_self">CLICK HERE</a><br>_______________________________________<br><br><h4><b><font color="Red">Courses & Events </h4> </b></font> for secondary schools <a href="http://www.sportsground.co.nz/ClubSite.asp?SiteID=10036&PageTypeID=12&PageID=34122&Tab=2&BringToFront=true" target="_self">CLICK HERE</a><br></div><a href="http://www.sportsground.co.nz/sportauckland">This page uses frames. Click here to load Sport Auckland</a>]]>