New Zealand Olympic Committee Chief Executive Kereyn Smith has received the prestigious C.K. Doig Leadership Award at the annual New Zealand Sport and Recreation Awards, held on May 29th.
The award is given to a person in the sport sector who displays outstanding leadership in relation to their organisation or the sector as a whole.
Under Kereyn’s leadership the New Zealand Olympic Committee led its most successful ever Olympic campaign, which saw the team perform with pride and honour on and off the field, winning a total of 18 medals at last year’s Rio Olympic Games.
Beyond this Kereyn, who is also the Vice President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, has been recognised for undertaking advocacy work to increase the participation of women in sport across all roles and functions. She is also a member of the 2024 Olympic Games Evaluation Committee which is working to determine what country and city will host the 2024 Summer Olympic Games and sits on the IOC’s Sport and Active Society Commission.
Sport New Zealand Chief Executive, Peter Miskimmin, offered Kereyn his congratulations. “Kereyn’s record as a leader in New Zealand and internationally is remarkable. A best ever Olympic Games is just the latest achievement for someone who is a true leader in our sector and a fierce advocate for building women’s profile and participation.”
Kereyn was honoured to receive the award. “I was lucky enough to have worked alongside Christopher Doig so it’s a real honour to be given an award in his name.”
“The NZOC worked really hard in 2016 and it was a fantastic year for Olympic Sport in New Zealand so it’s great to have that recognised. The excellent work we’ve been able to achieve is testament to a great team and board, who’ve helped to shape our direction.”