Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Te Manaakitanga – Women in coaching
Who is the programme designed for?
Te Manaakitanga - Women in coaching programme supports any wāhine (women) aged 18 years and over who coach rangatahi or secondary school aged youth (12-19 years) to build leadership skills, confidence and inclusive coaching practices.
Why is the programme called Te Manaakitanga - Women in coaching?
Te Manaakitanga derives from a Māori concept about caring for, supporting and uplifting others. It combines manaaki (to support and elevate) with tanga, making it a guiding principle. In coaching, this reflects the strength and support needed to grow wāhine leaders.
The name was chosen to:
- celebrate identity and empowerment – recognising the unique contribution of wāhine in sport.
- create inclusive coaching environments – where respect and collaboration thrive.
- embed cultural values – drawing on te ao Māori principles to nurture leadership and wellbeing.
This programme is about more than technical skills. It’s about building spaces where wāhine feel valued, supported and ready to lead.
Is there a cost to participate?
No, there is no cost for coaches to participate in the programme. If coaches are based outside of the 3 regions (Auckland, Waikato or Canterbury) any costs for travel or accommodation are the responsibility of the coach.
How much time will coaches need to commit to the programme?
Coaches will need to be available for 4 in-person full-day workshops and up to 5 online learning opportunities over the 12 month programme.
Can I apply if I coach outside of the secondary school age group?
The programme is designed for coaches who are actively coaching rangatahi (aged 12 to 19).
How many coaches will be selected for this development programme?
Up to 20 coaches will be selected in each of the 3 regions – 60 coaches in total. Additionally, up to 30 coaches will be involved in the performance coaching cohort of the project with High Performance Sport NZ. There will be crossover and learning opportunities between the 2 cohorts.
What kind of support will be provided during the programme?
Coaches will attend 4 in-person workshops led by experienced coach developer trainers. Additionally, online learning opportunities will be provided and coaching support from coach developers and/or coaching mentors.
What if I am not located in one of the regional areas set up for the communities of practice (Auckland, Waikato or Canterbury)?
Our resource is focused on supporting communities of practice in these 3 regions. If coaches from outside these regions would like to apply, you’re welcome to do so but any travel or accommodation costs for attending in-person workshops would need to be covered by the individual.
Why were these 3 regions selected?
They were chosen based on data from Sport NZ and High Performance Sport NZ. They offer the best opportunity to connect with women coaches across Aotearoa and support the goal of keeping women in coaching roles, from community to performance.
Who can support/endorse a coach for Te Manaakitanga – Women in coaching?
Endorsements can come from a national or regional sports organisation (eg, NZ Rugby or a Provincial Union) and/or from the school or club they coach within. Applications are open to coaches from any sport.
What does the endorsement process involve?
As part of the application, you’ll need to provide the name of your endorser or referee. Sport NZ will contact the endorser to complete a brief reference check before confirming a position on the programme.
Will travel or accommodation be covered for in-person workshops?
Travel and accommodation costs will not be covered as part of the programme. To be eligible, applicants must either live in or be able to travel to 1 of the 3 regional areas (Auckland, Waikato or Canterbury). Any costs for travel or accommodation are the responsibility of the coach.
Can I apply if I’ve previously participated in a Sport NZ or HPSNZ coaching initiative?
Yes – applicants can apply if they meet the eligibility criteria and have endorsement support from a school, club or sports organisation.
If an applicant is not successful, what happens to their application information?
All applicant information will be securely deleted once the final selection and confirmation of candidates is complete.
When will applicants find out if they have been successful?
All applicants will be notified via the email address provided, no later than mid-January 2026.
