In some respects they are the lifeblood of any sporting community and this morning Tauranga's volunteers were recognised for their efforts.

Hosted by Sport Bay of Plenty, the Tauranga Volunteer Breakfast saw about 95 volunteers in attendance, representing 20 sporting clubs.

Tauranga Volunteer Breakfast guest speaker former Tall Black Byron Vaetoe. Photo: Supplied.

Sport BOP community sport advisor Kate Clark.

The annual breakfast event provides schools and sport/recreation clubs the opportunity to nominate their volunteers to attend, network and listen to a guest speaker

The breakfast coincides with National Volunteer Week, with the theme ‘There is a place for you to volunteer'– highlighting the diversity of volunteer opportunities, volunteers themselves and the impacts of volunteering.

This year's guest speaker was former Tall Black Byron Vaetoe who left New Zealand for Hawaii at age one, as his father worked for United Airlines.

As he got older he received offers for 73 Gridiron scholarships as a quarter back and one basketball scholarship.

He chose the basketball scholarship at Brigham Young University, Hawaii, returning NZ and playing 104 Tests for the Tall Blacks and captaining the team for three years between 1993 and 1996.

There are 41,000 people paid to work in sport in New Zealand but 750,000 working unpaid - giving more than 50 million hours per year.

In the Bay of Plenty 23 per cent of all adults volunteered for Sport and Recreation which equals about 47,786 volunteers.

Sport Bay of Plenty enjoys the opportunity to thank those who give their time so freely, as we know volunteers are fundamental to the organisation of sport.

In the last two years, the Thank a SportMaker campaign has been run – a partnership with the Lotto Volunteer Foundation and Sport NZ that will see the Bay sharing in more than $1million of quality clothing and sports gear to be awarded to SportMakers throughout New Zealand.

Each SportMaker receives a certificate of appreciation and gift, presented by Sport Bay of Plenty, on behalf of Lotto Foundation and Sport New Zealand.

Western Bay of Plenty SportMaker recipient Peter Swan was unable to attend but Tai Bridgman-Raison from Bay of Plenty Cricket received the certificate and $500 SportMaker merchandise voucher on his behalf.

Peter Swan is an outstanding example of a volunteer coach who selflessly devotes his time to helping young sportsmen improve their skills.

Peter has coached the Coastland Senior Secondary School cricket side for nearly a decade, during which time the side has won three Northern Districts titles and had a number of players selected for higher honours under his guidance.

Not only is Peter an outstanding coach, he is also considered a mentor for the players he has come into contact with over the years, many of whom continue to maintain contact with him.

Peter also plays a pivotal role as the players make the transition from secondary school into adult club cricket, evidenced by the high percentage of players who have played under Pete moving into the local club system.

He is an asset to cricket in this region and is thoroughly deserving of recognition.