The project stems from a key initiative in HPSNZ’s 2024 Strategy to reconnect with the regions and provide New Zealand’s promising athletes and coaches the support they need, closer to home. That work is underway with the appointment of Tracey Paterson as National Pathways Manager and a handful of pilot programmes that are gaining traction in regions across New Zealand, including Canterbury.
Andrew Ellis, who is HPSNZ’s Regional Pathways Lead in Canterbury, says ‘connection’ is the word that best encapsulates the work they’re doing.
“We’re connecting NSOs to the regions, we’re connecting young athletes, their parents and coaches to the pathways and to support. If we can build a connected country where no talent gets missed, and our up-and-coming talent get the right support at the right time, then that’s the key,” says Andrew.
“We’re understanding their needs and tailoring the support around them – that’s a shift – instead of a broad brushstroke across at this level we’re understanding the athlete, the context, their family and supporting them along their journey.”
In his region, the Pathways pilot work has created an integrated programme which is already reaching 12 coaches and around 60 athletes at the pre-High Performance stage. As well as talent from 10 sports with strong existing pathways, the HPSNZ team are connecting with athletes and coaches from aspirational sports such as softball and boxing.
Andrew is quick to acknowledge the exceptional work of the team around him in driving this early success and traction. He’s referring to the likes of Performance Life Coaching Advisor Anna Simcic, and Strength and Conditioning Specialist Simeon Joplin working to engage and support athletes while Coach Educator Richard Smith established the coaching pilot and is working with the coaches.
As an example of the ongoing work to identify talent within a diverse range of sports, Andrew mentions a trio of boxers they’re now working with.
“We’ve got three boxing athletes on the pilot – these are athletes that have not been a part of our world before. They wouldn’t have known where we are, let along how to get support. Young boxers with high potential from low socio-economic parts of Christchurch – and we’re giving that talent a chance to shine by helping them connect to the pathway of their sport,” he says.
Andrew is excited about what he’s seeing. “We’ve got 12 coaches fizzing and super enthusiastic to be a part of this.”
“New Zealand’s top athletes have relationships with the likes of strength and conditioning support, nutritionists, and athlete life specialists that have built over time. To see new, young athletes coming into our facilities, together with their parents, and starting those relationships is a highlight for me. We’re helping the young people build an identity in their sport and their life.”
Canterbury is proving an ideal place to pilot HPSNZ’s new approach to performance pathways but it’s not the only region where HPSNZ Pathways support is on a learning and growing trajectory. Programmes are being developed in places like Wellington, Dunedin, Invercargill and elsewhere.
Tracey Paterson recently took up the role of HPSNZ National Pathways Manager, working to build the network of HPSNZ support in regions right around New Zealand.
“Across New Zealand our regions have passionate people and organisations doing fantastic work in identifying and developing talent, and our NSOs have expertise in their sport’s pathway from grassroots to the world stage.”
“We’re working towards all regions having access to a HPSNZ Regional Pathways Lead, operating as a point of contact for all matters related to National Performance Pathways, guiding clarity, connection, and coherence,” Tracey says. “Fundamentally it’s about connecting and being better together.”
Tracey, and the team she will put in place regionally, will support and build on the great work already being done and the learnings from the pilots.
