HPSNZ’s Women in High Performance Sport project was established as a pilot in 2019 to address the under-representation of women in leadership and coaching in high performance sport. It is now embedded as an ongoing strategic priority for HPSNZ and has already provided opportunities for more than 60 women through residency and coaching programmes.
HPSNZ Director of High Performance Steve Tew says Helene Wilson’s experience means she will bring an inherent understanding of what we are trying to achieve.
“Helene has been there, done that – working and coaching in high performance sport for more than a decade. She is perfectly placed to relate to the issues facing talented women striving to gain experience and respect in coaching and leadership roles within our system, and drive solutions through the Women in High Performance programme.
“She will be a tremendous asset to HPSNZ and the wider high performance system, and we look forward to welcoming her.”
Helene Wilson’s netball coaching career includes guiding the New Zealand Secondary Schools team to wins over Australia, leading the Northern Zone under 23s to a national title and a stint as Mystics Assistant Coach. She took over as Mystics head coach in 2016, also participating in HSPNZ’s Coach Accelerator Programme from that year, and led the Mystics to the ANZ Premiership title in 2021.
She is excited about the new role and the opportunity it presents.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the MG Mystics and I love working with the players, and watching them grow and develop as athletes but also, more importantly, as people. I will miss them and my wonderful coaching and management team. However, the opportunity at High Performance Sport is exciting and one I know I feel just as passionately about.
“The chance to help develop and grow opportunities for women in high performance sport is obviously something very close to my heart. I am enormously grateful to HPSNZ and to the amazing MG Mystics.”
Steve Tew says there is no shortage of female talent in the high performance sport system and the Women in High Performance Sport programme is already assisting women to develop and progress within the system and creating opportunities for more women to excel in coaching and leadership roles.
The work HPSNZ is doing in this area reflects the principles of the Government’s Women and Girls in Sport and Active Recreation Strategy and is delivering on one of the strategy’s 24 commitments: Commitment #8 – Deliver initiatives to increase the number of women in leadership and coaching roles within the high performance system.
Women in High Performance Sport includes three core streams of work that focus on leadership, coaching and the high performance sport working environment.
ENDS
Media contact:
Michelle Pickles
Group Media Manager
Michelle.pickles@sportnz.org.nz
021 833 244
