As part of Netball NSW’s vision for netball to be NSW’s leading sport of choice and opportunity, we were thrilled to introduce our inaugural Emerging Leaders Mentoring Program.
Developed and delivered by Nicole Toohey, Executive GM of People and Culture, with firm support from CEO Tracey Scott, the Emerging Leaders Mentoring Program’s purpose was to provide critical leadership skills for our up-and-coming leaders, while building relationships through a shared understanding across our teams.
“The intention was to enable and empower staff to navigate their path to leadership in a rapidly changing world of uncertainty and possibility” said Nicole Toohey “Our program covered three core areas; leading self, leading and influencing others, and leading and navigating change.”
A six-month program for thirteen of our staff members currently employed across the business, including Communities and Pathways, Commercial and Marketing, NSW Swifts, GIANTS Netball and the Finance Teams. The key outcomes included:
- Enhanced competence and confidence in their ability to execute on key priorities
- Active collaboration with peers through stronger working relationships
- Embedded leadership practices enabling stronger performance and engagement
- Demonstrated ownership of strengths and areas for development.
In real terms many of the staff have deepened their understanding of self and adapted their style of leadership to meet the needs of their audience. While others have discovered tools to respond to change and how they can put that awareness into practice.
Kaila Lawrence, Competitions Coordinator Netball NSW, said the program has enabled her to give feedback and be more aware of the impact of her communication style when engaging and influencing others. Ashleigh Tench, Events Coordinator GIANTS Netball and NSW Swifts, said it has given her the opportunity to learn about her peers, and build more confidence in utilising the coaching model, GROW to deliver feedback. Stronger relationships and active collaboration have been one of the key outcomes of this program.
CEO Tracey Scott is proud that Netball NSW has delivered this new initiative, as it focusses on prioritising people and growth opportunities to champion a DNA of excellence, care and inclusion. Scott is excited and ambitious for the future of netball in NSW and having a team of inspired, open-minded and motivated people is critical to the success of our future. We see this program as an important practical illustration of our commitment in this context.
2023 Netball NSW Mentoring Program Participants
- Francesca Caush
- Stephanie Huke
- Kylie Hyland-Ward
- Kylie Hyde
- Kaila Lawrence
- Grace Mavrelis
- Keana Raymond
- Casey Reynolds
- Danielle Robb
- Tina Tan
- Maddy Tatham
- Ashleigh Tench
- Mele Tiauli
