A hero out west

BY CAROLYN THOMAS

Cancer battler and Ranui Swanson Football club president Greg Smith is a man to be admired.

So it's no surprise that's he's been nominated in the New Zealander of the Year Awards local hero category.

The nationwide event has five sections and recognises outstanding role models in communities.

Greg is the longtime driving force behind the soccer club despite having terminal cancer.

The 41-year-old Kumeu resident helped raise $2.7 million to rebuild the Starling Park clubrooms destroyed by arson in 2006.

Construction is set to start next month and finish in October 2010.

Greg also organised annual grants to fund 20 youngsters from low income families through the club.

The father of six underwent chemotherapy shortly after the discovery of his thymus cancer in 1999.

The rare disease usually starts in a small organ near the heart.

He's since been through 25 radiotherapy treatments but is still plagued by secondary tumours.

Greg got involved with the club after spending two years stuck in his bed.

He was looking for an interest for his autistic son. Eventually all his children and wife Tracy got involved.

"All I wanted to do was to spend more time with my family," he says.

Greg won the Waitakere Sparc Volunteer Coach of the Year Awards general category in October.

He coaches four club teams as well as junior and senior divisions at Massey High School.

Helping at-risk youth is important to him.

"A lot have it really tough at home and this is their outlet," he says.

"This club gives them a sense of belonging.

"Even if they're here for a short time they keep it forever."

Greg's weakened immune system makes him more susceptible to illness and the workload can be draining.

"I think it's time to start empowering others," he says.

The awards are in their first year and sponsored by a number of corporates including Fairfax Media, publisher of the Western Leader.

Greg was nominated by club secretary Helen Harris.

But the modest former builder says he's not the only one deserving of praise.

"None of this would've been possible without the people around me," he says.

'I can't believe how much my wife has coped with."

Award winners will be decided in December and announced next February and each will receive $5000.

Nominations close this Friday and can be made online at www.nzawards.org.nz.

- © Fairfax NZ News