Tēnā tātou e te whānau i runga i te kāpua pouri mo te iwi whānui o Poirewa Aotearoa nei,
Volleyball in New Zealand is in mourning following the passing of Tony Thomas.
In 2019 he was honoured with Volleyball New Zealand’s Distinguished Service Award after being awarded Life Membership with Volleyball Tasman in 2014.
Tony's remarkable journey spanned almost 40 years as a player, coach, national assistant coach, national A referee, and international beach Volleyball referee.
His expertise and dedication saw him appointed by the International Federation to Beach Tour events in Asia and Brazil, and as the Beach Referee Manager for the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
Tony's leadership was also instrumental in shaping the future volleyball in the Tasman region.
The Staff and Board of Volleyball New Zealand extend our sincere condolences to Tony’s whānau, friends and the Volleyball Tasman community at this time.
Kua maringi mai ngā roimata
Kua māturuturu te hupe
Kua ea ai te mamae o te ngākau
Kua au tō moe e te rangatira.
Kia tere tau anō te mouri me te aio ki a kōutou ngā whānau e pani ana, ko tātou hoki e te whānau Poirewa Aotearoa.
May stability and calmness reconcile quickly with those that are grieving, and to all of us within the family of Volleyball New Zealand.
