Te Hāpaitanga: Revolutionising coaching in New Zealand with female empowerment

OPINION

In an era in which the All Blacks’ supremacy has come under fire, the idea of injecting a fresh perspective, that of a woman, could be the shot in the arm needed for rejuvenation.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, ‘anything boys can do, girls can do better’ might sound like a tired old phrase, but don’t dismiss it just yet. The importance of diversifying the coaching scene cannot be overstated. For too long, gender disparities and institutional roadblocks have been standing in the way of aspiring female coaches.

Diversity of thought brings new perspectives and fresh solutions to the problems in our game.

But fear not, because there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon - enter Te Hāpaitanga. This revolutionary programme isn’t just flipping through the coaching manual; it’s tearing it up and rewriting the rules, paving the road to a future in which gender is no longer a barrier to coaching success.

Te Hāpaitanga’s journey has been one heck of a rollercoaster - it’s all about empowerment, diversity and thinking outside the box. Since day one, this programme has been on a mission to shake up the traditional coaching scene, giving female coaches the boost they need to thrive in the competitive world of high-performance sports.

One of Te Hāpaitanga’s biggest wins? Increasing the number of women in high-performance director roles. What started as a measly four women out of 28 national sporting organisations (NSOs) has now bloomed to a solid 12 out of 48 NSOs.

But hey, it’s not all smooth sailing. Steve Tew’s acknowledgment of the old-school mindset still lingering in the industry is a reminder that we’ve got some deep-rooted attitudes to shake off. Despite some folks brushing off initiatives for gender equity as “fluff”, the proof is in the pudding. Te Hāpaitanga’s success stories speak for themselves, showing that breaking barriers isn’t just a pipe dream - it’s happening.

Let’s talk rugby, shall we? In this country, rugby is practically a religion, and the All Blacks? They’re like the gods of the game. The idea of a woman coaching the All Blacks might seem like a far-off dream right now, but mark my words, it’s not out of reach. It might take a decade or two to get there, what with the need to nurture a diverse pool of seasoned coaches and kick old-school attitudes to the curb.

But with the kind of momentum programmes like Te Hāpatianga are building, who’s to say it’ll take that long? As the younger generation grows up in a world that values diversity and inclusivity, they’ll be more open to the idea of a woman leading the charge in men’s sports.

Te Hāpaitanga isn’t just shaking things up on the sidelines - it’s making waves in sports management and administration too. By getting more women into those decision-making roles, it’s reshaping the coaching landscape and making sure everyone’s voice is heard.

When you embrace different perspectives, you’re not just spicing up the playbook - you’re fuelling innovation. Te Hāpaitanga’s commitment to empowering female coaches isn’t just a game-changer; it’s a whole new ball game, ushering in an era of inclusivity and excellence in sports like never before.

In an industry where tradition reigns supreme, Te Hāpaitanga is the rebel with a cause. And as more women step up, grab those opportunities and smash through those grass ceilings, the future of coaching has never looked brighter.

In the end, Te Hāpaitanga’s journey reminds us that change is not only possible but inevitable. And as we continue to champion equality and break down barriers, we inch closer to a world where every aspiring coach, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to succeed.

Te Hāpaitanga series

Part 1: Inside the coaching revolution sweeping New Zealand

Part 2: How female coaches are being empowered for greater success

Part 3: Rewriting the playbook: Paving the way for women coaches

Part 4: Sports reveal wider benefits from Te Hāpaitanga on coaches and themselves

Luke Kirkness is an Online Sports Editor for the NZ Herald. He previously covered consumer affairs for the Herald and was an assistant news director in the Bay of Plenty. He won Student Journalist of the Year in 2019.