Sport Canterbury congratulates Board Chairperson, Gerry Dwyer, on his recognition in the King’s Birthday Honours, becoming a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rowing.

As Sport Canterbury Chief Executive, Julyan Falloon states, “it’s a wonderful recognition for not only 50-years of service to rowing in Aotearoa, but also our wider sector across Canterbury.”

Since joining the Wairau Club in 1972, Mr Dwyer has devoted himself to the sport of rowing, holding many roles at club and regional level, including President of the Avon Rowing Club and Chair of the Canterbury Sports Foundation and Sport Canterbury. 

Dwyer has also held a variety of positions with Rowing New Zealand (RNZ), including Manager of the U19 and U23 teams, Selection Ombudsman, Race Official at NZ Championships and Maadi Cups, and has been a previous member of the Rowing NZ High Performance committee. Furthermore, he was a Director of Rowing New Zealand for 21 years, nine as Chair. 

Mr Dwyer is a life member of the Avon Rowing Club, the Canterbury Rowing Association, the New Zealand Rowing Association, and the Canterbury Sports Foundation.

Additionally, Mr Dwyer is a valued and long serving member of the Sport Canterbury Board - a Regional Sports Trust supporting sport, play, active recreation, and physical activity participation across the Canterbury West Coast region.

“Gerry has provided significant strategic leadership through his knowledge, experience, and commitment to sport and physical activity, which has been hugely valued in the decade post the Ōtautahi Christchurch earthquakes as the city continues to rebuild.”

Mr Falloon adds, “his sector background and understanding of community sport in a local context and internationally through his connections to the rowing community, provides a unique strategic skill set which has been hugely valuable to the governance of Sport Canterbury over a long period.”

The staff and board at Sport Canterbury congratulate Gerry Dwyer on this outstanding achievement.