“Match this core principle to a sport that believes it will grow when there is diversity of thinking around the decision-making table and you have a recipe for accelerated success,” says Helene.
We talked with Volleyball NZ’s High Performance Manager, Colleen Campbell, and Residency Experience participant Kim Smith about how they are thinking about coach diversity through the opportunities being provided by the Residency Experience initiative.
A hallmark of the revamped HPSNZ Women in High Performance Sport Residency Experience is flexibility and that was the game changer that enabled Kim Smith to take up her Residency Experience with Volleyball NZ.
Kim’s 12-month Residency in a Women’s Coach Developer role with Volleyball NZ is driven by the philosophy to build confidence, capability and visibility which in turn provide opportunities to open doors for women to coach in pre-performance, performance and as high performance volleyball coaches.
A number of factors came together to enable Kim, a secondary school Health and Physical Education teacher, to undertake the Residency.
“I was on maternity leave and with the support of my school principal and from Volleyball NZ I applied for the WHPS Residency Experience,” says Kim.
“Between school and Volleyball NZ I was able to put together a really flexible arrangement which worked for me, my baby, the school and the sport.”
Kim, a former Black Fern and Volley Fern, is keen to progress her career in both leadership development and in performance coaching.
“This Residency has provided an opportunity to focus more on leadership development at this point in time,” says Kim.
Volleyball NZ’s Performance Manager, Colleen Campbell, has been integral to Kim’s successful application and acceptance for the specially created ‘apprentice’ role.
“Already we are seeing the benefits of the role and particularly what Kim brings to it,” says Colleen.
“She facilitates a programme which currently has 13 women coaches and is designed by women for women to support their growth.”
Volleyball is the third biggest participant school sport in New Zealand and the second biggest for females and Colleen says they need a clear coaching pathway from school, local, regional to national level if the sport is to grow sustainably.
“Prior to being part of the Residency Experience and having Kim on board we had only two women coaches. Since she started her Residency we’ve been able to increase that to five qualified coaches at a national level which is very exciting for our sport.”
Colleen applauds Kim’s dedication and discipline and says Volleyball NZ is already reaping the benefits of being part of the WHPS Residency Experience.
“While Kim’s passion for coaching is very evident, it is her fantastic interpersonal and relationship skills which are enabling other women to learn and develop in that space and which will ultimately benefit volleyball in this country.”
