DNZ Awards: Matt's story
Matthew Butterfield, from Christchurch Ōtautahi won the 2024 Diabetes New Zealand John McLaren Youth Award in the Sports category. At the time of winning, he had already made the initial NZ indoor volleyball men’s team, the Volley Blacks, and planned to use the scholarship to help with all the costs associated with travel, accommodation, and food expenses for training camps. Volleyball is currently a self-funded sport in Aotearoa New Zealand.
We caught up with Matt in May 2025 to find out how things have been going:
What inspired you to apply for the John McLaren Award?
I saw the award being advertised on social media, and decided to jump onto this opportunity as my chosen sport of volleyball, is not funded, so I have to cover the cost of all of my travel, training camps, gym hire, accommodation, the works. This award has helped me substantially in my training program and has enabled me to attend all of the necessary training weekend camps for the Volleyblacks, the NZ men’s volleyball team.
Can you give an update on what has happened since you won it?
Since winning the award, I have been selected to travel to Bahrain in June of 2025 to compete at the AVC Men's Nations Volleyball Cup, which has some of the top teams in the Middle Eastern and Asian region competing.
What would you say to others thinking of applying for the award?
To other individuals applying for the award, I would say that I fully understand the struggles and hardships that diabetes brings on an everyday basis, having had type 1 myself for 12 years now. Work hard and you will be rewarded and recognised for your achievement and this award can help you get there!
What would your top piece of advice be for a young person who has just been diagnosed with diabetes?
Matt - in the red - in action
My biggest piece of advice to others with diabetes is to take every day as it comes and do your best, even if it isn't perfect! Diabetes is heavily overlooked by many people who aren't aware of what management we have to go through and the decisions we make every second of every day. Just because you have diabetes, it doesn't mean you can't do what you want and achieve your goals and dreams. I think of diabetes as an ability rather than a disability, it's the ability to control and manage what millions of cells would normally do. Cells that have evolved over time to look after your body - but you have that power at the tip of your fingers! Stay positive and spread awareness. What some people would call a disease, I would call a blessing in disguise!