We sat down with Jody at the end of week one on the job leading the programme. We took the opportunity to ask her three questions – what was week one like, what are you most looking forward to and what will success look like for you?
Nau mai ki te HPSNZ Jody. Tell us about week one.
I’m loving it! I’ve come into the role with a completely open mind which is essential given I’ve been working on the other side. I describe my first days at HPSNZ as a labyrinth of curiosity, meaning it was immediately apparent I need to work my brain in a different way to travel through all the different parts of the organisation.
I was excited to come into a great environment where I was instantly made very welcome. It was all hugely refreshing. The days have been filled with a lot of observation, plenty of learning and the increasing recognition that I must upskill very quickly. I’ve been impressed with the induction process which has been well paced.
What are you looking forward to in this role?
Continuing the legacy of the work of Te Hāpaitanga, within groups of passionate and outstanding female coaches is my number one objective. The second cohort of Te Hāpaitanga is just underway and I was able to attend the first residential in Taupo for the group. That was a fantastic opportunity for me to learn first-hand about the principles and values that underpin Te Hāpaitanga. My aim is to build on the momentum already created and continue to build on the successes to date. In my observations so far, the vehicle has four great wheels; there are no punctures.
What will success look like for you?
The programme has already achieved great successes which is testament to what the team has built so far. It is oversubscribed with an abundance of women wanting to enter the programme. For me success has three faces: firstly, if coaches come back, I will know the programme is doing a great job. Secondly, I want to ensure our stakeholders are aware of and supportive of Te Hāpaitanga and we can demonstrably measure the pathways and support the NSOs are providing for our female coaches. And thirdly, I want to see the wider community be aware of the role women play in high performance sport coaching, along with the multiple hats they typically wear in their own communities.
Jody invited HPSNZ to check in with her later in the year to see how far under the table her feet are and what strides she’s made towards some of her early goals.
