Building confident coaches and committees

New and aspiring sports coaches and committee members are invited to a new series of workshops aimed at building confidence and capability in the non-profit sector.

The ‘Coaching 101’ and ‘Governance Roles 101’ workshops are not sport-specific and are aimed at anyone who might be keen to gain confidence either as a coach, or in a governance role on a club committee or board.

“We need more volunteers and we heard directly from school sport coordinators that more training and support would be welcomed, particularly for young student coaches-in-training,” says Tania King, Sport Whanganui chief executive.

Topics covered in the free Coaching 101 workshops focus on what to include in a coaching session, dealing with sideline and player behaviour, sports injuries and basic first aid.

Those keen to learn more about what is involved in holding roles as chair, secretary and treasurer on club committees or boards are also being catered for.

“We have been running Wheelhouse Workshops for governance essentials for a while now, with feedback from participants that they wanted to know more practical information about the roles of chair, secretary and treasurer on committees and boards – things like how to set agendas and take minutes,” says Tania.

“Our affordable Governance Roles 101 workshops for non-profits will cover the specifics of each role, with templates and examples that people can take away.

“The goal is for more confident and capable volunteers coming through, and at the end of the day for everyone to have a better experience in their chosen sport.”

The first workshops will be held in Whanganui and Ohakune this month, hosted by Sport Whanganui staff. Confirmed dates and times are as follows:

Coaching 101 – free, registration is required.

• Thursday 8 August at Sport Whanganui office in Springvale Park, choose from either 3:30-5:00pm or 5:30-7:00pm (two 90-min sessions)
• Thursday 29 August at Te Pae Tata Ruapehu Hub, Ohakune, from 5.00-6.30pm

Governance Roles 101 – For those new to or interested in roles of Chair, Secretary or Treasurer on committees and wanting to upskill.
$50 per person, $80 for 2 people or $100 for 3 (from the same organisation)

• Tuesday 27 August at Sport Whanganui, from 5.30-7.30pm
• Tuesday 10 September at Te Pae Tata Ruapehu Hub, Ohakune

Those interested in attending any of the sessions can contact Tania King at tania@sportwhanganui.co.nz or call the Sport Whanganui office on 349 2300.

More workshops will be held in the Rangitīkei district later in the year, with details added to our events calendar once locations are confirmed. 

Photo caption: Sport Whanganui chief executive, Tania King