Programme lead, Jody Cameron, says that after four years, many of the 50 Te Hāpaitanga alumni are continuing their learning via the satellite programme.
“Our women coaches are seeing the satellite programme as integral to their cross-code connections and networks, helping them stay current with coaching topics and as complementary to the Core Knowledge modules they are undertaking.”
Successful applicants for Te Hāpaitanga’s fifth group will be offered a position in the programme before the end of the year and an announcement of those who accept the offer will be made in the New Year.
In the meantime, two graduates of the third Te Hāpaitanga group share their experiences which took them from rivals on the netball court to allies in growth.
The tension and rivalry were palpable as the Mystics faced off against the Central Pulse in the final of the 2024 Netball ANZ Premiership. On one side of the court was Central Pulse Head Coach, Anna Andrews-Tasola, on the other Mystics Head Coach, Tia Winikerei.
However, beneath the surface of this courtside rivalry lies a story of mutual respect and personal growth through their shared participation in HPSNZ’s Te Hāpaitanga coaching programme.
Having coached for many years at all levels, along with mentoring from some highly credentialed coaches, Tia brought a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the game to her role with the Mystics.
Yet, despite her success, Tia understands there is always more to learn. When she joined Te Hāpaitanga she was eager to expand her coaching skills and connect with other coaches.
“Te Hāpaitanga has been a journey of self-discovery and professional growth,” says Tia.
“I’ve learned to see beyond the immediate pressure of winning and losing, and to focus on the holistic development of my players.”
One of the most significant aspects of Te Hāpaitanga for Tia was the emphasis on cultural competency and understanding.
“As a Māori woman, it was empowering to see our cultural values integrated into the coaching framework. It reminded me of the importance of bringing my whole self to my coaching practice.
“It also helped balance the demands of sport and professional development. It reminded me that achieving balance for both is possible.”
Tia says connecting with other female coaches and high performance professionals is a highlight and has provided her with a support network and a space to reflect and share stories.
One of the Te Hāpaitanga residentials “Leading the Way” had a deep impact on her understanding of how her energy can affect relationships and team dynamics.
“The energy a coach brings can have a significant effect on others and Leading the Way showed me what my energy can be. I learnt how to recognise my energy and how to change it depending on the person or group I work with, to try and get a better outcome. This takes a lot of practice and reflection and it is something I work on daily.”
While Tia was into her second season as Head Coach, Anna was heading into her first year in the top role with the Central Pulse. She was able to get support from her Te Hāpaitanga mentors and the wider programme leads, Jody Cameron and Daryl Gibson, to prepare for her interview for the role.
“Having access to coaches who have been successful was an immediate benefit of Te Hāpaitanga for me and they gave me confidence to apply for the job.”
Anna says one of the biggest impacts of the programme for her has been through the residentials and support systems they provide.
“It is a high pressure environment but it is a safe space to feel supported and to explore new ideas.” A highlight for Anna was the Lead the Way residential which focused on leadership and on ‘self’.
“As a coach you often give lots of time and energy to others and forget to look after yourself. This residential allowed us to focus on ourselves and share our journeys including our challenges. It gives you the courage to grow.
“Having the discipline to look after myself was a new skill that had a ripple effect when I took it into the team and the wider communities in which I’m involved.”
Both Tia and Anna talk about the unexpected friendship and close relationship they have developed through Te Hāpaitanga.
“We might have started as rivals on the court but we soon found common ground. Our discussions went beyond netball; we talked about leadership, resilience, and the challenges we face as women in sport and women coaching a female dominated sport,” says Tia.
Anna agrees. “We are certainly competitive on the court but Te Hāpaitanga provided a great environment to be in and highlighted the power of connection and growth.
For Anna and Tia, Te Hāpaitanga has been a journey of becoming better coaches, better leaders and better people.
They found their greatest strength lay not in their rivalry, but in their shared commitment to excellence and their support for one another.
