The New Zealand Olympic Committee has boosted its numbers in sport and athlete facing roles to support the selection, organisation and leadership of Olympic and Commonwealth Games teams.
Former Chief Executive of Western Australian Hockey Linda Hamersley joins Olympic heptathlete Rebecca Wardell and specialist sport administrator Michael Taylor in the new Auckland-based roles. Existing team member Natalie Tong takes on a strengthened Operations role.
Secretary General Kereyn Smith says the new team will ensure the New Zealand Olympic Committee has the resources to support sports and athletes during the Olympic and Commonwealth build-up.
The international sporting environment is increasingly demanding and we must adjust accordingly, she said. The new staff members will add value to performance planning, operations and the selection process, making sure our athletes have everything they need to achieve their goals at games.
Communications professional Alex Spence, formerly of Netball New Zealand, will also join the New Zealand Olympic Committee providing media support and managing the organisations high profile social media accounts. Executive Officer Simone French from Rugby New Zealand is on-board to support Secretary General and Accountant Anne Liu has will join the finance team.
The appointments coincide with the organisations move to Auckland and the release of the 2013 2016 strategic plan, outlining the need for increased resources to support sport and athletes. Six new appointments have been confirmed.
About the new staff members
Linda Hamersley Sport Services Manager (new role, commenced)
Hamersley brings a broad range of skills in sport administration, strategic planning, governance and risk management. As Sport Services Manager her focus will be on supporting sports and selectors throughout the qualification, nomination and selection process as well as maximising Olympic funding opportunities for sports and athletes. Previous experience includes Chief Executive of Western Australian Hockey as well as senior roles with the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport, the Australian Rugby Union and consulting for the Western Australian Football Commission.
Michael Taylor Team Services Manager, Performance Planning (new role, commences September 9)
Taylor brings extensive relationship management experience and in-depth knowledge of the New Zealand sporting sector. His focus will be on the relationships with high performance personnel within sport and alignment of campaign planning and systems ahead of Olympic and Commonwealth Games.
Natalie Tong Team Services Manager, Operations (new role, commences August 12)
Tong steps up from her former role as Team Services Coordinator. Tong has been a core part of the New Zealand Olympic Commmittee team and worked with sports and athletes on both the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games and London 2012 Olympic campaigns. Her new management role will see her focus on team operations and logistics.
Rebecca Wardell Team Services Coordinator (replacement, commences August 12)
Wardell brings a strong athlete perspective to the New Zealand Olympic Committee and combines it with a Masters Degree in Engineering, specialising in planning, systems and processes. Wardell has been a professional athlete representing New Zealand in heptathlon at Melbourne 2006, Beijing 2008, Delhi 2010.
Alex Spence Social Media and Communications Advisor (replacement, commences August 12)
Previously with Netball New Zealand, Spence has experience across media operations, marketing communications and social media. She will focus on the delivery of compelling social media content and play an important role in supporting games time media operations.
Simone French Executive Officer (new role, commenced)
Formerly with New Zealand Rugby, French brings experience across executive management, event planning and relationship management. She will be supporting the Secretary General and New Zealand Olympic Committee Board and President.
Anne Liu Accountant (replacement, commenced)
Liu brings extensive experience in financial accounting and systems along with a focus on office management. She will liaise with New Zealand Olympic Committee staff, suppliers, commercial partners and sports to facilitate smooth financial systems.
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For more information contact:
Ashley Abbott
Communications Manager
New Zealand Olympic Committee
Ashley@olympic.org.nz
+64 21 552 021
+64 9 375 0040
About the New Zealand Olympic Committee
The New Zealand Olympic Committee represents both the Olympic and Commonwealth Games Movements in New Zealand.
The organisations aim is to inspire excellence and pride in New Zealanders and enable New Zealands elite athletes to achieve on the worlds stage.
Games Time performance planning, operations and leadership are the primary focus of the New Zealand Olympic Committee. The organisation also leads and advocates for sport and athletes and uses its strong international connections to deliver value to New Zealand.
The organisation also delivers school and education programmes and connects young New Zealanders with Olympic Ambassadors and the significant Olympic and Commonwealth digital museum collection.
Together with our sports and athletes the New Zealand Olympic Committee inspires New Zealanders and makes them proud.
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