On Thursday 4 August 2022, held in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Women in Sport Waitaha (WISW) Ngā Wāhine Hākinakina o Waitaha celebrated the launch of their new brand, structure and partnership with Women in Sport Aotearoa (WISPA) Ngā Wāhine Hākinakina o Aotearoa as a part of the growing national women in sports network, here in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The event kicked off at Te Kōhanga o Ngā Puna Wai Lounge bringing together a diverse mix of over 40+ supporters, champions, movers, and shakers of the play, active recreation, and sports community in the Waitaha region; including, allies Tony Smail, CEO of Canterbury Rugby Football Union, Nigel Cox, Head of Recreation, Sports & Events at Christchurch City Council, and Rachel Murphy and Tony Compier of Gymnastics New Zealand It was great to see a breadth of the sector in attendance, a healthy sign of the collective working together for women wāhine and girls kōhine in Waitaha Canterbury.
WISW steering group member Katrina Mansfield began the event introducing WISW’s Vision, Mission and their Why? Showing a promising future for what is to come.
- VISION: Equity for women and girls to be active in Waitaha.
- MISSION: We will connect, inspire, and advocate for all who enable and empower women and girls to be active.
- WHY? Females are under-represented in decision making roles, have more barriers to participation, get less media coverage, investment and sponsorship then males.
Following the introduction, WISW Steering Committee Group Member Angela Leatherby introduced WISW’s new bi-cultural structure. The initial strategic design of which was supported by Fran McEwen, Founder of the Shift Foundation and supporting WISW with the inclusion of Te Reo Māori was Brandon Manuel, Sport Canterbury Kaiwhakaauaha Pūnaha, Maori Systems Innovator. The new structure encompasses five groups including the Steering Group (Ngā Kaiūrungi), Advisory Group (Ngā Kaihautū), Members (Ngā Kaihoe), Advocates and Partners (Ngā Kaihāpai) and Waitaha women & girls (Whānau whānui). This setup will help navigate WISW ongoing activities to achieve their Vision, Mission and their Why?
Lastly, WISW Steering Group Member Wendy Trolove unveiled their new branding. The tagline #ivegother is inspired by the saying used by players from sports like Touch, Rugby League and Union for when they’re lining up their opponents, “I’ve got her”. The logo, designed by Joshua Sprott, sees the representation of Te Tiriti o te Moana Southern Alps. Linking to where WISW comes from and the challenge they have accepted. The use of three maunga relates to WISW mission to; connect, inspire, and advocate.
The positioning of the maunga is important to acknowledge. It means that WISW stand together, united, and will succeed when lifting one another upward. The logo colours of Red and Black colours pay tribute to Waitaha’s rich sporting history. Green proudly represents WISW location at the heart of Te Wai Pounamu and serves as a promise that WISW will uphold the Articles of Te Titiri o Waitangi.
WISPA Co-founder, Sarah Leberman MNZM said:
“Ka mau te wehi Ngā Wāhine Hākinakina o Waitaha!! Awesome mahi to be at this stage in your journey with a fantastic launch of your vision, mission, brand and tagline I’ve Got HER. Very much enjoyed meeting members from the local community, and it was excellent to see so many young women and men in the room. Very much looking forward to our partnership going forward”.
A huge thank you to WISW Steering Group Members in attendance including:
- Wendy Trolove
- Katrina Mansfield
- Angela Leatherby
- Josh Sprott
- Libby Devenport
- Leanne Hammersly
- Char Pouaka
- Pat Barwick
- Kim Lazor
Watch the highlight video of the Kick-Off event below:
Click here to read more and get in touch with Women in Sport Waitaha.
