New Zealanders are passionate about our sports and recreational clubs, Sport Central Wanaka-based coordinator Tiny Carruthers says, but the responsibility for ensuring the success of those sports teams and clubs is hugely demanding of those in leadership roles.

“Leadership is the key to a well-run club,” he said, adding that sometimes those in leadership roles have little previous experience and need guidance and support.

With this in mind, Sport New Zealand has developed PUNA, a leadership course to assist all those involved in sports teams and clubs, from coaches and volunteers to club chairs and administrators, and Tiny will be facilitating the course here in Wanaka this month. 

“Whether you are an experienced administrator or someone new to a leadership role there is value to be had in this course’’, he said.

“We ran this course last year and the best part was that everyone contributed to the discussion, we shared ideas and experiences. We got into the nitty-gritty and helped each other with actual issues,” Tiny said. “This was all done in a confidential and positive manner”.

PUNA, the Sport and Recreation Leadership Framework, is part of a leadership development system being established throughout New Zealand specifically for people who work and volunteer in sport and recreation. It’s designed to foster a culture of broad and deep leadership across the sports sector and offers a range of resources to help develop leadership capability.

In practice, Tiny said, this means participants follow a leadership map which looks at topics such as culture, purpose, delivery, collaboration and navigating complexity. 

The course is held on one day over three consecutive weeks. Each week the group looks at one of these topics through a different leadership role: leading self, leading teams, leading leaders or leading organisations, Tiny said. 

“So week one we might look at leading self and culture. Week two: maybe leading teams and purpose. This way people can opt in and out,” he said. 

The course is supported by worksheets and videos, and all participants can reflect on their leadership style and how best to operate in this changing environment.

The PUNA leadership course is available free of charge. It’s sponsored by Sport Central and the Queenstown Lakes District Council and will be held over the next three weeks at the Wanaka Recreation Centre every Wednesday evening from 7:00pm-8:45pm beginning next Wednesday (March 11) and finishing on March 25.  

To register or for further information contact, Tiny Carruthers, 0272124290 or email [email protected].

PHOTO: Supplied