Mark Bignell Receives Long Service Award

Thursday, 19 May 2011 09:44

At last night's Auckland Football Federation AGM, Beachlands Maraetai player and volunteer Mark Bignell was presented with a Long Service Medal - an award given out annually by AFF. Mark was nominated by the BMAFC committee, along with a number of other people in the club. Nominations from our club and others affiliated with AFF were considered by the AFF board. 

Nomination letter for Long Service
Mark Bignell - PLAYER / COACH / ADMINISTRATOR - 1988-Present

Mark (pictured right with wife Kirsty at last night's AFF AGM) started as a young player aged 6 years old, just a few years after BMAFC was formed. 

He became one of our club's first representative players being selected for Counties Manukau at the age of 15. This was the same year he captained a reunion team for our club, where a group of 15 year old ex-BMAFC players reformed their team who hadn't played together since primary school. (Until relatively recent seasons, teams at our club tended to disband once they hit high school age). Mark also represented Counties Manukau the following year despite the Beachlands club side disbanding. 

At the age of 18 Mark assisted a 12th grade BMAFC side which was coached by former Calico's Restaurant owner Chris Tegg. This was the catalyst for getting Mark involved with the club in his adult life. 

Two years later Derrick Ferigo was given Mark's number and managed to convince him to coach an 11th Grade team, which Mark coached for the next five years. Mark did not have any children or relatives in these teams - he took up the role because the kids wanted to play and needed a coach. Mark would never miss a training and only missed 1 game. When his players went to rep trials Mark would also attend and did the same when for player development courses. 

After that Mark had helped out a number of other teams where the need arise. 

In 2002 Mark instigated a very popular World Cup format competition for BMAFC Juniors which for a number of years he organised the whole event himself. 

Having not played football for a few years, in 2005 Mark advertised around town for players looking to join him in starting a Senior Mens team at the club. (The last Beachlands senior mens team folded in 1997). This team was managed and captained by Mark and went on to win Division 7 in their first season. A core of players have stuck together and risen through the grades since.

The success of the original team - and of course with thanks to many other committed volunteers since that time - laid the foundation for where the Senior club is now: the 1st team competes in AFF's Championship Division and since 2010 - for the first time ever - the club has had a Senior Reserves team. We can also boast two Over 35's teams in which two original 2005 players still play. A Senior Womens team also bolstered BMAFC's senior ranks in 2009.

It is interesting to note the people who have some connection to Mark's earlier achievements, who are today still active in our club in a number of ways: 

• Tim Bateman - Reserve Team Coach, Committee Member (played in the original Senior Team in '05)
• Ben Taylor - 1st Team Player (played in the original Senior Team in '05)
• Tim Alderdice - Reserve Team player, Committee Member (played in the original Senior Team in '05)
• Brent Couper - Reserve Team player and captain (played in the original Senior Team in '05)
• Kevin Tracey and Ian Mackenzie - Over 35s players (played in the original Senior Team in '05)
• Joshua Robinson and Jarret Finch - Reserve Team players (coached by Mark 2002-2005)
• Jenni de Jong - Senior Womens player (coached by Mark 2002-2005)
• Brian Preston (current President and 1st team player), Justin Irvine (committee member and Reserve team player) and Sean Langford (1st team player) joined the senior mens team back in '06. Sean and former 1st Team player Jonny Rist also played in the 12th Grade team Mark helped to coach back in 2000

And of course Mark himself still plays for the Reserve Team and also the 1st Team when required. 

During these playing and coaching years Mark was an active administrator, joining the club comiittee in 2002, Mark was club President from 2004-2006. Mark remained onthe committee until 2009. Having now stepped down from the committee, Mark is now channeling his energy into running our club website and producing Match Programme's for every First Team game. The quality of both of these would rival most clubs in the region.

The list above is by no means comprehensive with Mark devoting his own time and energy into most events and projects the club has run in its recent history.

At 29 years old Mark has achieved more than many could give to an organisation in a lifetime.

A few years ago BMAFC instituted a trophy called "The Mark Bignell Trophy For Passion, Commitment And Perseverance" because these are the traits that Mark has bought to the club over the years and passed on to our children.

In 2010 Mark was our second ever recipient of a lifetime membership for BMAFC and remains one of only two to receive this.

Also in 2010 Mark also received an award from Manukau Council for the many hours of volunteer work he has put into sports in our region.

By Brian Preston & Kevin Tracey

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