The focus of this year’s Peter Sharp Study Awards was to develop the knowledge and understanding of the importance of quality coaching within the secondary school context and the impact this has on student’s quality of experience.

NZSSSC would like to thank all school teaching and sport staff that applied for the award. The process of selecting who would receive the awards was made extremely difficult due to the genuine quality of the applications received and highlighted the tremendous amount of knowledge, quality and skill that already exists within the school sport space.

The nine applicants selected were Helen Belcher, St Margarets College, Christchurch; Nick Taylor, Francis Douglas Memorial College, New Plymouth; Chris Senior, Makoura College, Wairarapa; Barbara Clarke, Taupo nui a Tia College, Taupo; Karllie Clifton, Opotoki College, Bay of Plenty; Bernadette Corcoran, Waiuku College, Auckland; Karina Nafatali, Kaikoria Valley High School, Dunedin; Ross Douglas,     Heretaunga College, Wellington; Daryl Cartwright, Mt Albert Grammar School, Auckland.

The award incorporated the Sport NZ delivered Connecting Coaches conference which proved to be a thought provoking and extremely well delivered conference. Spread over two days the conference challenged the role of a coach in the ‘changing world’ and provided some fascinating insights from some of New Zealand’s most decorated and successful coaches.

Some of the feedback from the received from the recipients included:

“Some great learnings that I can take on board for myself as a coach but also to filter down to our school coaches.”

“An amazing experience and has definitely made teaching Yr9's first period a challenge as my minds still running with some cool crazy ideas for next year.

“The conference was brilliant - interesting and thought-provoking speakers, fantastic chances to connect with and learn from others, and a real opportunity to reflect on your current coaching practice and take suggestions on how to improve it.  So much of it too is applicable to my role as a teacher - it's the best professional development I've had.”

Article added: Thursday 06 December 2018