WaiBOP Football

Purpose

WaiBOP Football’s Women’s Leadership programme is aimed for women currently involved, or aspire to be involved, as administrators, volunteers, coaches, referees, team managers, or similar roles in the sport community.

The primary focus of the leadership programme is on personal and professional development. The content covers a range of topics, including understanding yourself and others, wellbeing, values, strengths and passions, communication, and leadership. Integral to the programme is recognising and supporting the mana of the waahine on the course.

The programme uses human-centred leadership frameworks and practices, and focuses on the learning gained through the journey, rather than the outcome. It amplifies the strengths of each individual, offering a safe environment for participants to build their leadership journey while strengthening their confidence, values, and self-belief.

This year, for the first time, we will be offering two programmes, to cater for those aged 18-25 and those over the age of 25. We have called our 18–25-year-olds group Ngaa Tipu Wahine, which means group of blossoming women, and our group of over 25s, Ngaa Wahine Puaawai, which means group of blossomed women.

The Programme

WaiBOP Football’s Women’s Leadership Programme is designed to help women beginning their leadership journey to develop a personal understanding of existing experiences, skills, and strengths with the aim of supporting participants personally, as well as benefitting women and girls sport in our clubs and the wider community.

The programme builds towards each participant developing a project focused on women or girls’ sport. Days 1-2 focuses on personal development, with time set aside to start planning your project. Day 3 is an opportunity to share your intended project with the group and check in with the programme facilitators to see if you need any additional support with developing your project.

There is no specific remit for the project, instead participants are encouraged to use human centred design thinking to understand the need of the community. The project is your choice and aimed to be delivered with your community. The project can be ‘on the field’ (e.g. a football festival, coaching workshop, referee workshop) or ‘off the field’ (e.g. developing your club’s women and girls’ strategy or set up a women and girls subcommittee for your club). These are just suggestions, the final decision is yours.

Cost

There was no cost to attend the course for 2024. Catering is provided during the workshops. Accommodation and breakfast will be provided for participants who live outside of Hamilton attending the 2-day workshop.

We are grateful for the generous support from the NZ Football Foundation and the Hine te Hiringa – Empower Women Utilising FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Fund from the Department of Internal Affairs, made possible with the support of Tauranga City Council and Sport Bay of Plenty.

Programme Facilitator

Sarah Leberman MNZM

We welcome back Sarah, who delivered our 2023 programme. Sarah is a Professor in Leadership in the School of Management at Massey University and is the co-founder of Women in Sport Aotearoa (WISPA).

She has co-designed and delivered numerous leadership development courses over the past 15 years, including the award-winning Whanake o te Kōpara programme for young women leaders.

Sarah was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to women, sport and the tertiary sector in 2020.

Sarah has been involved in sport all her life, as a participant, coach, administrator, educator, researcher, and board member.

Feedback from the 2023 programme

The 2024 WaiBOP Football Women’s Leadership programme was first run in 2023, where participants gave the programme a satisfaction rating of 92%.

In the feedback survey, 100% of participants felt:

The programme was of value to them.
That it was organised and well prepared.
That the skills covered during the programme will assist participants in being more effective.
Felt confident in applying the skills on the job.
That the programme location, timings etc were clearly communicated.
That the facilitator had a sound knowledge of the subject, clearly communicated ideas and information, and encouraged interaction and conveyed enthusiasm.

Everyone said they would recommend this programme to others!