The purpose of the role is to plan and deliver a national sport development plan that supports clubs and regions to grow their membership, increase participation at events and to provide inclusive pathways for paddlers, coaches and officials.
The plan will include pathways and delivery for able and disabled paddlers in line with our sports strategic plan.
Conan, originally from Pawarenga in the Hokianga now lives in Raglan with his wife Lana, son Metua and daughter Hana. He brings to the role an extensive national and international career in the sport of Waka Ama. A sport he has been doing his whole life.
Conan’s parents were among the original group of paddlers that helped revive the sport in New Zealand in the late 80’s. Their Nga Hoe Horo club was one of the first clubs established in the country 26 years ago. The sport has now grown to include 90 clubs throughout New Zealand.
“I can’t remember not paddling” says Conan who picked up his first paddle before the age of 5. He has won national sprint and distance titles, competed and steered top teams in races all around the world including the prestigious Hawaiki Nui Va’a in Tahiti and Molokai Hoe in Hawaii.
For the past 15 months Conan has been working as the Sport Force Waikato Waka Ama Development Officer and through this position Conan has made a significant contribution for the sport of Waka Ama on the ground in the Waikato area. The development of several new clubs and new schools have been established along with development work with existing clubs.
Waka Ama New Zealand CEO Lara Collins says “Conan’s knowledge of the sport is huge, he has paddled at every level of our sport, as a junior and senior, and as a national representative. He has coached teams, organised successful events and helped to establish several clubs. Conan has an extensive network throughout the paddling community, both within New Zealand and internationally. His recent experience in the role as Waka Ama Development Officer at Sport Waikato has also provided him with further sport development expertise. He will bring a lot to this role and it is an exciting opportunity for our sport.”
“I hope to bring what I know about Waka Ama and what I have learnt from my time at Sport Waikato as well as from top paddlers and coaches around the world and share it with the clubs, schools and paddlers to help to further develop the sport around the country. I am excited and looking forward to further getting involved in the administration side of the sport” adds Conan.
Conan will start his position on Monday 12th August 2013
For further information, please contact
Lara Collins Chief Executive – Waka Ama New Zealand
[email protected]
0275484612
Conan Herbert National Development Manager – Waka Ama New Zealand
Email:
[email protected]
Comments
paddler - Nice Conan
07-Aug-2013
Gordon Aston - Awesome, this signifies growth in the sport and the beginnings of further progress and development in our sport
07-Aug-2013
Chris Fox - Fantastic Conan well done - look forward to even more growth in waka ama and our future:)
07-Aug-2013
Ray Timihou - nice bro
07-Aug-2013
Tupuria King - Nice job conan! Deserve it. P.S does this mean your sport waikato waka ama job is up for grabs? haha.
07-Aug-2013
Raipoia - Congratulations Conan. I have seen you grow from strength to strength, from a very young paddler in pawarenga to the international scene. This role will consolidate your mahi in waka ama, it's like taking your place in our waka ama whanau in a big way.
looking forward to work with you in our region...
te aroha ia rahi
08-Aug-2013
maori boy from whatawhata - chur bro congrats on the position..im sure u will do a good job
08-Aug-2013
Kohu - Ka mau ke te wehi, ka tika hoki ka riro i tenei tangata te turanga nei :)
Awesome to know Conan has this role!
08-Aug-2013
Motueka - awesome news!
08-Aug-2013
Jacqui St J - Well done Conan.
08-Aug-2013
sam and maureen - Shot bro sweet picture to haha
08-Aug-2013
Darlene - Awesome Conan, You will be an awesome ambassador for Waka Ama :)
08-Aug-2013
Peter Reaburn - Well done NKOA for creating this new position, an important step in our sport's growth. Congratulations on taking up this role Conan, you are an excellent choice for it. We look forward o seeing ou here in Auckland!
08-Aug-2013
Murray Speers - kia ora Conan,
Your going be awesome mana, waka to the moon and back to us beautilful Aotearoa.
08-Aug-2013
Rose - Congratulations Conan on your new appointment. What a wonderful role model and mentor. Mum and Dad would be very proud of you and of all that you have achieved.
08-Aug-2013
Katarina Herbert - Well done Conan. Nana and Grandpa are very proud of you. We wish you well in this new role.
09-Aug-2013
donna T - Ina te mahi he Rangatira. Well done Conan. It great to see a Rangatira being rewarded for his knowledge,work and years of giving back to community. Great choice NKOA.
09-Aug-2013
AROCA - CONAN – on behalf of the AROCA region and its members, we like to congratulate and support you on your appointment as National Development Manager for waka ama. You will bring another vision, and more importantly you are another generation to move waka ama forward.
Nga Mihi
09-Aug-2013
Nick & Char Adams - Congrats Conan,the right man for the job and a great role model.
10-Aug-2013
Owen Pau'u - Congratulation Conan from Tonga.
Malo
Owen Pau'u
Tonga Siu'a'alo
11-Aug-2013
Vesna Aroha Radonich - Congratulations Conan! Exciting news will be looking forward to all your great knowledge and passion for the sport. Very lucky to have you on the face of Waka Ama NZ...
11-Aug-2013
S.Pettit-Smith - A deserved position given & earned. Well done Nga Kaihoe, congrats Conan.
11-Aug-2013
bobo,innes-jj and hibiscus-christine - awesome stuff uncle we are so proud of you
14-Aug-2013
Frank & Denise Proctor - Well done Conan. This is great news to hear and it is a position well deserved. The community from Te Uri O Tai & Whanau will be so proud of you and your achievement.
14-Aug-2013
Tiri - Kia Orana Conan :)
On behalf of your Mum's(Murray) Family I'd like to say how very proud we all are of you and your brothers. Congratulations on your new role neff!
Love you's all very much xo
15-Aug-2013
Julia Darlington - Well deserved, congratulations Conan
16-Aug-2013
Laola Aea - Aloha Conan,
You make your ancestors, friends and ohana very proud. Best wishes to you. Aloha from the island of Kauai. Laola and Kamu
17-Aug-2013
Te Whanau Nga Hoe Horo - Ka mihi mahana ki tatou Tama Tane O Nga Hoe Horo O Pawarenga. Ka Arohatinonui. XOXOX
We are all so proud of you.
17-Aug-2013
Mata Kihi - All the very best to your symbolic adventure, and once again congrats on your new Pepi. Your whanau would be enormously proud. What a great asset to the sport of Waka Ama.
Nga mihi nui, kia koe Conan
22-Aug-2013
Charley MAITERE - Iaorana Conan, congratulations, all the best .
03-Sep-2013