Introducing Our Staff

THE MANAGEMENT TEAM

Wayne Werder
Chief Executive Officer
Wayne has worked at Sport BOP since October 2004, and in the CEO role since June 2006. The CEO role sees him ensuring the link between the Board of Trustees and staff is effective. "I feel privileged to be leading such a values based organisation and to work with a group of people who are so passionate about what they do”. Wayne has a Masters in Management Studies and has an extensive background in sport administration having had previous roles in National and Regional Sporting organisations. He represented New Zealand in Squash throughout the 90's and was the Assistant Coach of the squash team for the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Contact Wayne on  07 578 0016  extn 808 or waynew@sportbop.co.nz 

Heidi Lichtwark
Community Manager
Heidi has been working at Sport BOP since November 2003. Heidi has completed an MBA in sport management and has post graduate qualifications in marketing and business studies. She has spent 15 years managing people, with 8 of those in the education sector, and has also worked in commercial marketing and human resource sectors. Heidi is thrilled to be working in the field that she loves. "I have a huge passion for this industry and believe that physical activity and sport are core-stones in a healthy, vibrant BOP community" Heidi is into running, yoga, swimming, cycling, walking her dogs, Pilates and basically any form of fitness.
Contact Heidi on 07 578 0016 extn 806 or heidil@sportbop.co.nz 

Stephen Murray
Commercial Manager
The role of the Commercial Manager is to handle the commercial elements of Sport Bay of Plenty and provide the most solid platform possible for the other members of the organisation to work from.   
Contact Stephen on 07 578 0016 extn 802 or stephenm@sportbop.co.nz  

Megan Cleverley
Sport Manager
Megan works across the BOP region assisting sports clubs and RSO’s with their activities. She has extensive experience in sport development especially in the areas of organizational development where she believes that developing the capability of sporting organizations to be effective and efficient in the delivery of their sports is important to ensure sustainability.   Megan has a degree in HR Management and is currently completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Sport Management through Massey University. She has a passion for all sports and volunteers her time as a Director on the board for Blind Sport New Zealand.
Contact Megan on 07 578 0016 extn 837 or email meganc@sportbop.co.nz   

Valda Money
Accounts Manager
Valda is responsible for the organisations finances, payroll and vehicle management.  She also provides administration support to management and staff.  "It is satisfying to work for an organisation whose role is to promote sport and physical activity which benefits the health and wellbeing of the community"
Contact Valda on 07 578 0016 extn 827 or valdam@sportbop.co.nz  

THE COMMERCIAL TEAM

Paula Hudson
Operations Team Leader
This position is responsible for providing effective operational support to Sport Bay of Plenty staff and Sport House tenants across the region. This includes leading the administration team, managing the resource requirements of the Sports House offices and maintaining/administering IT systems and information management.
Contact Paula on 07 578 0016 extn 803 or paulah@sportbop.co.nz

Kirsten McLeod
Marketing Coordinator
In the role of Marketing Coordinator, Kirsten provides marketing and communications advice and expertise to the organisation and provides timely and efficient marketing and communications to Sport Bay of Plenty management and external stakeholders.  While Kirsten has worked within the Sport and Recreation sector in roles with both SPARC and Sport BOP for a number of years, this new role presents exciting challenges which Kirsten is enjoying.  A retired sportswoman Kirsten likes to keep fit and active through running and yoga.
Contact Kirsten on 07 578 0016 extn 828 or kirstenm@sportbop.co.nz

 

Rachel Gordon
Office Administrator - Tauranga Office
Rachel's roles is to provide administrative support to the team in the Tauranga Sports House as well as central support to the Rotorua and Whakatane offices. As the first face or voice to the organisation, Rachel is able to help the local public, clubs and stakeholders with any enquiries.
Contact Rachel on 07 578 0016 extn 800 or rachelg@sportbop.co.nz
 

Yvonne Jarvis
Office Administrator - Tauranga Office
Yvonne's role is to provide administrative support to the team in the Tauranga Sports House as well as central support to the Rotorua and Whakatane offices. As the first face or voice to the organisation, Yvonne is able to help the local public, clubs and stakeholders with any enquiries.
Contact Yvonne on 07 578 0016 extn 826 or yvonnej@sportbop.co.nz
 

Rebecca Smith
Office Administrator - Rotorua office
Rebecca’s role in Sport Bay of Plenty is to provide administrative support to the team in the Rotorua office and to help the local public with any enquiries. She has a Bachelor of Design majoring in 3-D and a broad sporting and outdoor recreation background. Rebecca is currently in the NZ Elite National Squad for Orienteering and has recently moved to Rotorua for the amazing off-road running and biking opportunities the region has to offer. Rebecca is enjoying being part of the successful Sport BOP team and loves seeing people getting out there and being active.
Contact Rebecca on 07 348 4125 extn 600 or rebeccas@sportbop.co.nz
 

THE SPORT TEAM

Dave Clarke
Coaching Team Leader
Dave has been working in the coaching arena for the past 20 years. He currently looks after the CoachForce Team who are in the business of getting more and better coaches, coaching more often in the Bay of Plenty region.  Dave was the New Zealand National Squash Coach for over 5 years and has been involved at every level in the game from club to country. He has also been involved in the development of junior skills programs at Club, District and National levels.
Contact Dave 07 578 0016 extn 820 or davec@sportbop.co.nz 

Greg Cummings
Connect Sport Project Advisor
Greg comes from a teaching background of 13 years in schools where his main focus was PE and Sport. Greg is also a qualified MBTi consultant using this in both sport development and coaching. Moving to Project Management for Connect Sport, the project goal looks to increase participation in sport through better connected communities. In his spare time Greg can be found surfing and spending quality time with his family.
Contact Greg on 07 578 0016 extn 804 or gregc@sportbop.co.nz  

 
David Mortimore
Sport Development Advisor (Tauranga)
David’s role as Sport Development Advisor sees him working with local Sporting Clubs and Tauranga City Council on a range of issues from fundraising and strategic planning to helping with constitutions and offering advice and support to volunteers. David has a BA Honours Degree from the University of Wales and represented the men’s Hockey team for 3 years. He has worked for 11 years in Local Government in the UK where he was a Senior Officer responsible for cycling, walking and countryside access.  David has a wide range of sporting interests including football, cricket, running and rugby.
Contact David on 07 578 0016 extn 830 or davidm@sportbop.co.nz
 

Paul Pou
School Sport Team Leader


Details to come...


Contact Paul on 07 578 0016 extn 833 or paulp@sportbop.co.nz
 

 Julie Adamson
Secondary School Events Coordinator
Julie's role is to provide sporting events to all secondary schools in the Bay of Plenty. Her passion is to see more secondary school students participating in sport and giving it a go.
Contact Julie on 07 578 0016 extn 807 or juliea@sportbop.co.nz
 

Vicki Semple
Primary School Events Coordinator - Western Bay
Vicki's role is to provide support to Western Bay primary and intermediate schools in the development of sport and physical activity options that will increase levels of participation and encourage children to lead active lives. Vicki's work with schools is to develop sport programmes, coordinate training and professional development for teachers and junior coaches, and encourage and support inter-school events and tournaments for primary and intermediate schools.
Contact Vicki on 07 578 0016 extn 805 or vickis@sportbop.co.nz
 

THE COMMUNITY TEAM

Nick Chambers
Fundamentals Advisor - Sport
Nick’s role is to develop a comprehensive relationship between sport and education and devise a Fundamentals Skills Programme that meets the needs of our community. With a ten year coaching career Nick has a Bachelors Degree In Sport Development and Coaching from the UK. With a passion for sport, Nick’s ultimate goal is to create an environment for children where success is inevitable and lifelong participation can thrive.
Contact Nick on 07 578 0016 extn 809 or nickc@sportbop.co.nz  

Jo White
Fundamentals Advisor - Education
Jo’s role is to develop a comprehensive relationship between sport and education and devise a Fundamental Skills Programme that meets the needs of our community. With a Bachelor of Physical Education from Otago University and a Diploma of Secondary Teaching from Auckland University of Technology, experience in teaching and as an Active Schools Facilitator, Jo is passionate about the relationship between physical activity, development and education.
Contact Jo on 07 348 4125 extn 607 or jow@sportbop.co.nz  

Amy Fowler
Active Communities Projects Advisor
Amy’s role at Sport Bay of Plenty is to coordinate the Bay of Plenty’s Active Communities projects. Each project has a team of staff, investors and many community stakeholders and this role aims to ensure that the projects are meeting expectations of these people.  Amy enjoys working with all the different partners in these projects to get more people engaged in sport and recreation and in her spare time loves being outdoors to keep active.
Contact Amy on 07 348 4125 or 027 243 2678 or amyf@sportbop.co.nz 
 

Sonia Lynds
Pathways Team Leader
The Pathways team consists of many specialised roles that aim to provide opportunities for people to be active while encouraging them to link into regular sport and recreation. Sonia is passionate about the wider positive effects that regular activity has on people in general. Sonia is a trained teacher and has a varied work background in both teaching and supporting those with Intellectual Disabilities and Brain Injuries.
Contact Sonia on 07 578 0016 extn 850 or sonial@sportbop.co.nz
  

Jack Thatcher
Pouarahi Hakinakina
Jacks role focuses on encouraging Maori to get more active and participate in a range of sport and active activities within the community.  This is achieved through working with Iwi, Schools and Whanau in a range of individual and group activity options as well as organised sport.
Contact Jack on 07 578 0016, extn 822 or jackt@sportbop.co.nz

Cherryl Thompson
Sport Opportunity Advisor
Ko Taranaki te Maunga, Ko Waingongoro me Kapuni nga Awa, Ko Ngati Ruanui, Ko Ngati Manuhiakai nga Iwi, Tena koutou Katoa.
Having taken up swimming after contracting polio and representing Auckland U19 Basketball at 13yrs old, Cherryl went on to gain a Diploma in Sport and Leisure and then spent 3 years as the Sport Opportunity Adviser for The Halberg Trust/Sport Northland. Cherryl believes disabled people are not as successful at sport/physical activity, NOT because of their disability, but because of their lack of opportunity to participate. Let's change that!
Contact Cherryl on 07 578 0016 extn 821 or cherrylt@sportbop.co.nz

 

Lisa Mansell
Active Lifestyles Advisor - Rotorua
Ka Tanuku
Ka Tanuku
Ka tanuku Koa ko tihi o Matawhaura
Ka Tanuku
The Active Lifestyles Advisor role is community driven. Lisa plans, supports and coordinates sport, recreation and community programmes in Rotorua such as Activate for Summer Series (Womens Activator, Dads n Lads and Whanau Activator), Bike Wise month campaign and Summer Hummer youth activities. Lisa’s main aim is to getting more of the community more active, more often. Lisa collabrates with health organisations, councils and local volunteers to make programmes and activities effective within the community.
Contact Lisa on 07 348 4125 extn 606 or lisam@sportbop.co.nz 

Kirsty Carling
Early Childhood Advisor
Training as an Early Childhood teacher sent Kirsty on a career path all over the world working in a variety of ECE centres, hospitals and time volunteering in a Romanian Orphanage. She has spent the past few years supporting families with their child’s early education. Getting families involved has always been a priority in Kirsty's work, "there’s so much enjoyment from joining in each other’s activities. I am looking forward to working with Bay of Plenty children, their whanau and education providers. The Active Movement Advisor role allows me to enrich children’s lives and have fun!"
Contact Kirsty on 07 348 4125 ext 609 or kirstyc@sportbop.co.nz
 

Vicky Richards
Pathway to Health Coordinator - Whakatane
Pathway 2 Health is a support service for sport, recreation & physical activity within the region, and aims to get more people, more active, lifelong in the Eastern BOP. Vicky’s role is to support sports clubs, recreation groups and community organizations to provide opportunities for people to get active. Pathway 2 Health coordinates community activities such as the ‘It’s all about Team’ Corporate Sport Series and promotes national campaigns such as Bike Week. Volunteer recognition, sports club development and safe environments for physical activity are also priorities for Pathway 2 Health.
Contact Vicky on 07 308 8304 or vickyr@sportbop.co.nz
 

Catherine McCulloch
Health Team Leader
The goal of the Health Team is to improve the health outcomes of the community by empowering individuals with health concerns to become more active. Catherine oversees the Green Prescription Programmes including Active Families, the CVD service ( Lifestyle Coaches), and the Family Lifestyle Coach that work within the Bay of Plenty. Catherines is passionate about the benefits of a healthy balanced lifestyle and knows the positive outcomes from physical activity and leisure pursuits are extensive. Outside of work, Catherine enjoys walking and activities with her family.
Contact Catherine on 07 578 0016 extn 817 or catherinem@sportbop.co.nz 

 
Nicki Miller
Green Prescription Advisor - Western Bay
Nicki is based in the Western Bay of Plenty, working within the community helping to promote physical activity. Green Prescription is the written advice to be active, with regular physical activity related improvements in health and medical conditions can be achieved. Nicki has a Bachelor of Science with a major in Sports and Exercise Science and postgraduate qualifications in Marketing. She is actively involved in coaching Tae Kwondo and has previously represented NZ.
Contact Nicki on 07 578 0016 extn 816 or grxtauranga@sportbop.co.nz

Melissa Gordon
Green Prescription Advisor - Rotorua
Melissa's role as Green Prescription Advisor is to support and motivate adults to lead an active lifestyle. Physical activity is important for so many aspects of a healthy life. In her spare time Melissa plays competitive club volleyball and helps run the Rotorua social/business house league. She also enjoys supporting her family participate in rugby and swimming. Melissa says she loves working in an environment that helps people towards their goal of a fit and healthy lifestyle.
Contact Melissa on 07 348 4125 extn 605 or melissag@sportbop.co.nz
 

Edwina O'Brien
Green Prescription Advisor - Kawerau
Edwina is based in Kawerau in a part time position as Green Prescription Advisor. She works with adults to encourage them to lead a more physically active and healthier lifestyle that would suit their every day life. Kawerau township is unique in that it has a free pool all year round which proves hugely beneficial to GRx clients. Edwina enjoys the great outdoors and is a keen multisporter.
Contact Edwina on 0274 533 032 or email edwina.obrien@kaweraudc.govt.nz

George Kururangi
Lifestyle Coach - Whakatane
George's role involves working with men living in the Eastern Bay of Plenty who have an identified risk factor for cardiovascular disease and getting these gents ‘up and active’ again. George holds a Bachelor of Business Studies majoring in Sports Coaching and Sport Management together with a Diploma in Physical Education and Recreational Training. 
Contact George on 07 308 8304 or email georgek@sportbop.co.nz  
 

Cathy Bell
Active Families Advisor - Eastern Bay of Plenty
Cathy is based in Whakatane as the Active Families Advisor, working throughout the Eastern Bay of Plenty community.  The aim of her role is to help families become more active and learn about healthy food choices to improve their health and wellbeing. Cathy is passionate about helping people to empower themselves to make positive lifestyle changes and is excited to have the opportunity to do this through the Active Families programme. In her spare time Cathy enjoys volleyball, bush walks, horse-riding, motorbike riding and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Contact Cathy on 07 308 8304, Mobile 027 609 7640 or email cathyb@sportbop.co.nz  

Holly Douch
Family Lifestyle Coach
Based in Rotorua, Holly works with children between the ages of 4.5 to 12 years old and their family. The programme aims to increase awareness about healthy, achievable lifestyle goals that the whole family and whanau can make. Friendly on-going support, education and encouragement is given to these families for up to 12 months. Holly has a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Human Nutrition and is currently studying Child Psychology. She feels extremely lucky to be helping  families make positive changes to their health, while getting active together. Outside of work, Holly loves walking, cycling and strength training but mostly enjoys making exercise fun.
Contact Holly on 07 348 4125 ext 604 or email hollyd@sportbop.co.nz 

Lesila Moore
Lifestyle Coach - Opotiki
Lesila's role involves working with men living in Opotiki who have an identified risk factor for cardiovascular disease and getting these gents ‘up and active’ again.  The aim is to help those with health concerns to become more active and to improve their nutrition through face to face appointments, group activities and phone support to encourage and motivate them.  Lesila also acts as the Green Prescription Advisor for the Opotiki area.
Contact Lesila on 07 315 6266 or email lesilam@sportbop.co.nz