Kylie Penn steps down from Hockey Wanganui

Kylie Penn is stepping down as Hockey Wanganui's operations manager after seven years.

Hockey Wanganui's operations manager Kylie Penn has been in a reflective mood in the last two weeks with the news she is resigning from her position after seven years at the helm.

Planning to step down and take a break from administration of the local game, Penn said she is looking to explore other opportunities.

"I'm proud of what I have achieved with pride here at the helm.

"The toughest thing mentally I've had to overcome in the last two weeks is coming to terms of my resignation when I have put so much time and energy into the [Gonville Domain] turf replacement.

"We have made significant progress the last six months and we are ever so close for pushing that green button.

"But the time is right for myself personally."

During Penn's time as operations manager, a Wanganui senior women's representative team was able to return to competing at the National Senior Tournament in 2014, for the first time in seven years.

Overall hockey participation numbers increased 38 per cent, and in May last year Penn represented Hockey Wanganui Inc in accepting a silver trophy for second most outstanding growth in the country at the Hockey NZ awards dinner.

At the turf, Penn coached school teams and at representative level for Wanganui.

She was a key figure in the formation of the Tech College Old Boy's women's team, nicknamed 'Techno', who entered Division 1 of the Hockey Manawatu competitions.

She played for Techno and went on to also play for the Wanganui Women's team, before getting involved in their team management.

Penn earned her Level 1 umpires badge, one of few in Whanganui to have done so, and played representative hockey for two years in the Ford National Association Tournament.

She has been involved with Hockey NZ's CEO advisory committee and a Central Hockey board member.

"What has got myself through most of these years is being driven in trying to make a difference for our youth and let them have a good experience," Penn said.

"I've always wanted to make our environment feel welcoming and inviting.

"One of the biggest challenges in our sport is capital – hockey is labelled throughout the world as being a rich man's sport, which I struggle to comprehend when we were always under resourced.

"On a positive note I leave knowing confidently in my mind I have created strong structure and a visible pathway, with policies and procedures for the next person to keep hockey in good shape.

"It has been absolute pleasure to be working for the community and I dearly would like to thank all those people that have worked with and alongside me as we try and make a difference in Whanganui."