We are delighted to welcome student intern, Kimberly Mankin from Massey University Te Kunenga Ki Pūrehuroa, who will be completing a 180 hour placement with WISPA. Kimberly is studying a Bachelor of Sport Management and is due to graduate in June 2022 – not long to go until the finish line!
Kimberly will be working closely with Nicky van den Bos, WISPA’s Programmes Director to support the delivery of the Sport NZ Women + Girls Summit 2021. Kimberly will have plenty of opportunities to practically apply her knowledge and theory from the classroom in her internship with us.
Kimberly was keen to secure a placement with WISPA after coming across a research paper on sports sociology. After taking a look at WISPA’s website and social media channels, she was sold on the work we’ve been doing to drive equity for women and girls in sport. Kimberly said:
“The value of such advocacy for women in sport and recreation was what intrigued me most, especially as I had faced some of the challenges that WISPA aspires to change. I also had an instant desire to connect with WISPA and to offer my skills and knowledge from my previous experience as an athlete, coach and personal trainer.”
Alongside Kimberly’s studies, she is a mum of two boys (7 and 13years), a huge advocate for mental health and disability and to top things off, she also runs her own personal training and nutrition business, called Fortified Fitness. Kim was an elite swimmer and professional dancer and now aspires to become a bodybuilder. She loves photography, yoga, playing the guitar and singing karaoke in her spare time.
Kimberly’s main reason for pursuing sport management was to have a platform where she could utilise her voice, skills, knowledge, and networks to drive positive change for women and girls in sports and active recreation. Beyond this, Kim would love to follow in the footsteps of Sport NZ, Chief Executive Raelene Castle ONZM by stepping into a CE role.
We are excited to have Kimberly join the WISPA whānau, and we look forward to supporting and seeing her in action to help deliver the Sport NZ Women + Girls Summit 2021. Kim said:
“I am so excited for this journey ahead and the valuable learning opportunities within my reach, I’m looking forward to proving my worth and utilising my skills and knowledge to support the WISPA mission.”
