Cycling, tennis, netball, rowing, athletics - Sharon Davies has a lot on her plate. The woman spearheading Takapuna Grammar's campaign for sporting success talks to John Landrigan.
The cycling clothes are bright and so is the student wearing them. He's confident on his bike and a competent speaker.
It is not a push to say that young Harry Ross is well-balanced. He enjoys his sport and prospers academically.
The 15-year-old captains the successful Takapuna Grammar cycling team and has goals to compete in the Tour de France one day. The Devonport teen also knows that for his team to succeed and for him to achieve his lofty goals, he needs to be managed from behind the scenes.
Seldom are sports administrators noticed. Harry wants you to know about Takapuna Grammar's sports director, Sharon Davies. Under her direction, says Harry, the school's cyclists went from striking two medals last year to more than 15 medals this year.
"She's been amazing. She has given us a different level of support and help. Our lives would be extremely difficult without her. She gets personally involved."
In November, Davies, 30-something, was named College Sports Auckland Educator of the Year.
Her name was announced with those of many of the young sportspeople she has fostered in her role at the school.
"The role lends itself to getting involved," says Mrs Davies. "It's about students doing things. I want to engage the passion of the students."
And so many students are benefiting from this mother-of-two's willingness to get on with it, in and out of working hours.
The gifted coordinator and passionate sportswoman coaches four Takapuna Grammar School netball teams, oversees four staff, 33 sports, more than 240 volunteers, multiple budgets, plus programming and development of new and established sports.
As teacher-in-charge, she also overseas 18 netball teams (that's 166 students), six cycling teams, four tennis teams, ultimate frisbee, rowing and athletics. She attends introduction evenings and muster nights, sources uniforms, raises money, attends racing events, is courtside clipboard in hand, umpires, takes training sessions, organises camps and overseas trips, and much more.
It's a lot to take on - and all with an extremely infectious grin.
"It was very humbling and very nice to be acknowledged for the job we do. I have a passion for being active. To lead a healthy and balanced lifestyle. To be able to instil that in someone else is great," says Mrs Davies.
Her philosophy has caught the attention of Takapuna Grammar's principal, Simon Lamb.
"Sharon has been a committed staff member for seven years and is directly involved in our elite sports students development. Her enthusiasm and interest has been tireless."
Harry cycles off back to class. He is respectful of "Miss Davies" but also at ease. She is one of the team... many teams.
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