Waikato Institute for Leadership and Sport Studies

Alan and Bevan visited the Sound Care Group team today to facilitate an interactive leadership development session.

The centre and clinical managers took time to reflect on the essence of leadership and how it shapes their daily practice.

If your team would like to explore professional development opportunities with WILSS, get in touch.

🙌 HeadzUp 2026! 🙌

Held at the The University of Waikato in the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts building yesterday.

164 head students from 35 secondary schools across the Waikato region and further afield.

This annual leadership event aims to inspire and equip our secondary school head leaders with practical tools for their leadership roles in school, as well as beyond the school gate.

The event opened with remarks from Assistant Vice Chancellor Dr Keaka Hēmi of the University of Waikato, setting a tone of academic and personal growth.

Attendees then heard from Chloe Howard, who provided information on the University of Waikato, and Greg O'Carroll, head of the Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship Programme, who highlighted scholarship opportunities for students to think about and apply for.

Intimate sessions with 6 Sir Edmund Hillary Scholars offered up-close inspiration, reflection, and personalised advice.

Event organizer Paula Dewar, School Leadership Programme Lead at WILSS reflected on the day's success: "It was great to see students connecting and their enthusiasm throughout the day. Students left with tools to take back and practice in their leadership roles at school."

Thank you to the University of Waikato for their support, and the WILSS facilitators who help make the day so impactful for the Waikato's top young leaders.

Congratulations to the schools that see the value in this day of leadership development for their students.

POOL COMPLIANCE COURSE

Ministry of Education Compliance Regulation for School Pools.
WILSS is offering a session on Pool Compliance - 26 March 2026.

The full day programme would be beneficial to caretakers, teachers, principals, BOT members and parents involved in pool maintenance.

For more details, check out the Flyer below.

A partnership project in action with Waikato Badminton!

Waikato Badminton Association Announces Development Pathways and Coach Framework for 2026 Season

Waikato Badminton Association (WBA) is excited to launch its new Player & Coach Development Pathways and Coach Development Framework, designed to elevate badminton in the region for the 2026 season, and into the future.

Aligned with Sport New Zealand's Sport Pathways Framework, and developed in partnership with the community, Badminton New Zealand, and Sport Waikato; these initiatives focus on safe, supportive environments across social, competitive, and performance domains to match participants' motivations.

Read our full media release on our website: www.waikatobadminton.co.nz

To complete a expression of interest - head to our website or this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEmlCMoMrjYe7v8i5ylvaBUEsjBdnimL-KbeOllUhrHAogyA/viewform

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all.

POOL COMPLIANCE COURSE

Ministry of Education Compliance Regulation for School Pools.
WILSS is offering sessions on Pool Compliance - 30 January and 20 February 2026.

The full day programme would be beneficial to caretakers, teachers, principals, BOT members and parents involved in pool maintenance.

For more details, check out the Flyer below.

Meet Mathew Hollinshead, one of our 2025 Sport Coaching Graduates and an active coach of Junior Cricket in the Waikato.

As a WINTEC Academic Staff member, he speaks highly of the course and the impact it had on him as a coach. We asked him a few questions (see below).

Enrolments are open now for our 2026 Coaching Cohorts!

---

Where are you from?
I’m from Te Awamutu originally. Now living in Cambridge.

Who do you coach?
I’m the co-coach of an under-12 cricket team.

Why did you choose the WILSS Sport Coaching Course?
I did a Google search of coaching courses and the Wilss course stood out as the best option.

How have you found the course?
I’ve found it great, with loads of take-aways that I’ve been able to put into practise at the very next game or practise. It has had a large impact on my coaching, and I hope, improved it.

Any key learnings or reflection?
Something that has had a big impact on my coaching came from the first or second workshop. I had always been aware on some level of the need to make the game fun for the kids, but in these workshops that idea was presented in such a way that it really hit home. There was a change in my coaching from the very next session with the kids.

POOL COMPLIANCE COURSE

Ministry of Education Compliance Regulation for School Pools.
WILSS is offering sessions on Pool Compliance - 12 December 2025.

The full day programme would be beneficial to caretakers, teachers, principals, BOT members and parents involved in pool maintenance.
For more details, check out the Flyer below.

Congratulations Jalya Rodrigues on winning WaiBOP Football Federation Community Football Coach of the Year. Jayla has been a participant in our NZ Certificate in Sport Coaching this Spring.

Keep up all the good work Jayla, and good luck for the national title!

Meet Chester, one of our 2025 Sport Coaching Course graduates.

He was one of our standouts who said he gained a lot from the course, which supported him leading his football team and club.

Check out Chester's full story below if you're considering joining our Sport Coaching Course | NZ Certificate | 2026.

---

Where are you from?
I am originally from Cape Town, South Africa, and I've been living in New Zealand for the past 11 years.

What is your role as a coach?
As a football coach, my goal is to build strong relationships based on trust with my players and to support them in becoming the best version of themselves on and off the field.

Why you joined the Wilss Sport Coaching Course?
I joined the WILSS Sport Coaching programme to further develop my coaching skills and grow as a leader in my sport code.

How you find the course?
Throughout the course, I’ve gained a lot from working alongside Bevan and other passionate coaches.

Any key learnings or reflections?
One of the biggest takeaways for me has been the importance of players' trust, clear communication, and thoughtful planning—both at training and during games. Most importantly, I’ve learned that being authentic as a coach is what creates lasting impact.

🚨 FULLY Funded NZ Cert in Sport Coaching Course

Our Feb 2026 intake is NOW OPEN!

- Lead and motivate your team
- Build your confidence as a coach
- Gain a cross-code NZQA-approved Qual

Funded places are limited. Secure your Feb 2026 place NOW.

🚨 Register your Interest -> https://forms.gle/tcZiTioEkbVg8JWb8