Sport Ambassador programme
SPARC's Sport Ambassadors have all achieved to a high level in the international sporting arena, and are well known to most New Zealanders.
They're also happy to give their time to help our young people achieve their sporting goals.
What better way to inspire our future sporting stars than a session with one of New Zealand's top athletes?
Current Sport Ambassadors include:
- Barbara Kendall (boardsailing)
- Samantha Warriner (triathlete)
- Cory Hutchings (surf lifesaver)
- Bevan Martin (softball)
- Steve Gurney (multisport)
- Cindy Mosey (kitesurfing)
- Fiona Southorn (cyclist - Paralympian)
- Nathan Fa’avae (adventure racing)
- Danyon Loader (swimming)
How it works
The ambassadors run a three- to four-hour session with each group of students. The sessions deal with dreams, motivation, time management, fair play and goal setting. The ambassadors draw from their personal experiences and work through a student workbook dealing with these issues.
Who should benefit
Each group should be carefully selected to ensure the ambassadors have some real impact on the students they work with and that the sessions are interactive. Groups should be no larger than 25 to 30 and be drawn from students who demonstrate either high levels of sporting performance or outstanding leadership skills in any area of the school's activities.
How to get involved
For more information on when an Ambassador is coming to your area, contact your regional sports director.
Current ambassadors
Barbara Kendall, boardsailor:
'When I won gold, I remember how happy all the other girls were that I had won. Being respected as a fair competitor was just as important to me as winning.'
Cory Hutchings, surf lifesaver:
'I've worked very hard to become the world champion. I wish natural ability alone could win you races, but it doesn't. There's always someone else with that same ability. If you don't put in the work, you'll not make the top.'
Bevan Martin, softball player:
'Success is sweet, but it usually has a scent of sweat about it.'
Steve Gurney, multisport/adventure racing:
'The power of our minds is almost unlimited. Particularly useful is a positive mental attitude.'
Cindy Mosey, kitesurfer:
'I can be very impatient, and I have learned to overcome it by breaking up specific moves and goals into stages to prevent frustration.'
Fiona Southorn, cyclist:
'I respect all the hard work that is involved by other athletes to achieve their goals as I know it first hand.'
Nathan Fa’avae, adventure racer:
'Sport is many things - it's healthy, it's social, it's fun, it's a wise teacher, it's a peace-maker. But above all, it is a statement about life.'
Danyon Loader, swimmer:
'Anything is possible. No goal is too big (or too small).'
Samantha Warriner, triathlete:
'Being the best you can be is like a journey, you have to experience the highs and the lows in order to achieve what you are capable of.'
Updated | 09 Oct 2008.
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