St Mary's produces another winner | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

EX-HEAD Girl of St Mary's Diocesan School, Susie Simcock (nee Willis) has proven that leadership skills are lifelong, winning an extremely special prize at the 2008 Halberg Awards, held on Tuesday, February 3.

The SPARC Leadership Award is given yearly by SPARC to one outstanding sportsperson whose sport has expanded as a direct result of their input; who has personally raised awareness of their sport outside the sector, has a world leading approach to sport, shows integrity and provides leadership which is effective, focussed and inspiring, and this year it was Susie's turn to be honoured.

"It was while Susie was at school that she developed her passion for sport, playing every sport she could and representing Taranaki in hockey and on the New Zealand Universities teams for hockey and athletics," said SPARC chief executive, Peter Miskimmin in his presentation of the award.

From her early beginnings in hockey, Susie moved into playing squash and then onto leadership roles in the sport, eventually becoming manager of the New Zealand's Women's Squash Team from 1980-86.

"In1987, she took on the role of championship director of the Women's Squash World Championships in Auckland this was where Dame Susan Devoy won one of her four world titles."

It was around this time that she also became the inaugural chairperson of the World Women's Squash Association and saw it through to its merger with the men's federation in 1988. She was then elected vice-president of the World Squash Federation's in 1989 and became its first female president in 1996.

In 2004, she was named in the Queen's Birthday Honours as an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to squash.

"Her influence and leadership of sport extended way beyond squash," said Mr Miskimmin, "becoming a board member of the New Zealand Olympic Committee from 1997-2008 and going on to receive a New Zealand Olympic Order Holder Award for her services to the Olympic movement."

Golf became an interest of Susie's in the early 2000s, becoming a board member of Women's Golf NZ from 2002-2005.

Later, she would be instrumental in bringing about its amalgamation with men's golf and the formation of Golf NZ, serving on the Golf NZ board from 2005-2008.

"Susie has been a pioneer and trailblazer for women in sports, both in management and participation. She remains a strong advocate for women in sport in all areas, from the baseline to the boardroom."

"She satisfies all the criteria for this award including leading from the front, showing integrity and striving for excellence, inspiring others and strengthening sport through direct input and influence."

"I lived in Bulls at the time of my days at St Mary's, where I was a boarder," said Susie, "I absolutely loved my days at St Mary's and still hold the principal at the time, Elizabeth Roberton, in high esteem. She was very inspirational."

"I've been both delighted and overwhelmed by all the interest I have received since the awards night," she said.

"The words 'leader' and high performance crop up a lot in Susie's CV they apply equally well to Susie herself, and she truly is a worthy recipient of the Leadership Award," said Mr Miskimmin.