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Dane Dougan
General Manager |
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Although my Softball playing experience is limited to a few social games and a trial run at a new version of Softball, Over the Line, I have now been General Manager of Softball New Zealand for two years. I have watched a lot of games and have also been lucky enough to attend a World Championship with the New Zealand White Sox. |
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Chris Gates
Administration Manager
Email: Chris
Phone: (04) 5600391
Proudly North Harbour born and bred my sporting passions have brought me to the capital. |
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I have been employed in financial management roles for over 20 years with the last 13 years in the sporting industry (with rugby and then Softball NZ since 2004) and previously in the shipping industry. I absolutely love the game of softball having played since I was a child and have also recently been involved in junior coaching. It is a privilege to work for Softball NZ and be able to combine my sporting passion with my business profession, hopefully to the benefit of all the wonderful people involved in our game. |
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Glen Roff
Business Development Manager
Email: Glen
Phone: (04) 5600389
Playing T-ball for Panthers (Invercargill) as a 4 year old was where it all started for me. Since then Softball has played a significant part of my life. |
Highlights of my playing career vary from two time National Club Champion with Christchurch United Devils, gold medal at the Under 19 World Series in 1989 to playing for the Black Sox in 1991. After I retired from playing and still passionate about the game I ventured into the world of coaching. Seven seasons in Europe has played a considerable part in my coach development. Off seasons in Denmark (1), Italy (2) and the Netherlands (4) has been life changing and allowed me to see Softball in a different light gaining invaluable experience along the way. Highlights of my coaching career include coaching the Danish Men's team at the 2000 World Series, Great Britain at the 2004 World Series and winning the Italian Cup with Forli in 2006.
I've been employed with Softball NZ since 2003 working in Invercargill, Christchurch and Wellington as a Regional Coaching Coordinator. Early this year I changed roles through office restructure to the newly formed role of Business Development Manager. The role entails boosting membership and generating revenue streams. I studied graphic and web design through Natcol and am currently completing several marketing papers.
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Eugene Gilbert
Event and Association Relationship Manager
Email: Eugene
Phone: (04) 560-0392 (021) 537-079
Hello all, I have been associated with softball for many years, playing, coaching, umpiring, and lately in the administrative side of the game. I absolutely love the game along with the many other tireless volunteers who make the game of softball function in New Zealand. |
I have worked in retail for a number of years, been a Business Analyst and Project Manager for the University of Waikato, and have extensive experience in the area of Market Research. Previously I have been on the Waikato Softball Association Board for a number of years primarily responsible for the senior competition, senior umpiring, and website content management.
I am grateful for the opportunity to work for the game I love, and I am responsible at SNZ for organising and running the National Tournaments, looking after the Associations who are the core of our game, and working closely with the Regional Game Development Officers. All I can say is I'm here to serve...
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Naomi Shaw
National Director of Coaching
Email: Naomi
Phone: (04) 5600395
I have been involved in softball for as long as I can remember. I started out as a 10 year old in a club that my whanau have been a huge part of since its inception and still are up to this very day. |
I have played representative softball for Hutt Valley at all levels and won many national titles both as a player and a coach. I remember the many coaches, managers, administrators & players who helped me develop my softball skills and shaped me as an individual. When my playing time was up, there was no doubt that I would continue to be involved in softball as a way of putting something back into the sport I loved.
Being captain of the only NZ Womens team (1982) to win a world title was an undoubted highlight as was being a softball commentator at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. I am very proud that my daughter Kiri has followed my footsteps into national representation.
These days, along with coaching the Hutt Valley National League, I also get to watch my mokopuna play Tee Ball & Junior Softball...and so the cycle starts again!
I came to SNZ from a teaching background and landed my dream job of National Director of Coaching in 2005. I love the job and enjoy the camaraderie that comes with dealing with likeminded passionate softball people. Feel free to call me at anytime to talk softball on 04 560 0395 or naomi@softball.org.nz.
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Mitchell Farnell
National Teams Coordinator
Email: Mitch
Phone: (04) 5600388
I have been with Softball New Zealand about 5 months now. From the limited softball I have watched I have really enjoyed it. |
I come from a Cricket background most recently returning from the Cook Islands where I was High Performance manager. My role at SNZ poses new challenges and my role looks after the national teams from an operational point of view. I look forward to continuing working with the National teams providing support so that they produce the best results on the diamond.
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Sophie Robbers
Project Support Administrator
Before becoming the Project Support Administrator for Softball New Zealand, I had been an administrator primarily in the freight and logistics industry, before taking a few years off to be a full-time mum. |
Although having been an administrator for many years in various roles, working for Softball NZ has been a new, fun and sometimes challenging experience.
With no previous Softball experience, learning about the game, the associations and Softball in New Zealand has given me new insight into Sport in New Zealand, and has been necessary to ensure that I fulfil the role competently.
The role of Project Support Administrator for SNZ involves communicating with key stakeholders, performing dat-to-day administration tasks and ensuring that I am on-hand to help out when required.
I very much enjoy the role and the colleagues I work with and I appreciate the fact that I can still maintain a balance between work and being a Mum!
I look forward to helping out with any queries you may have about Softball NZ.
Regional Game Development Officers (RGDO's)
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Venita Hokai
Upper North Island
Email: Venita
Cell: 021537078
Auckland; Counties/Manukau; North Harbour; Waikato, Western Bay of Plenty
Ko Ngati Toke Matawhaurua te Waka, Ko Rangiputa te Maunga, Ko Awaroa te Awa, Ko Te Rarawa Te Iwi, Ko Venita Hokai ahau |
It is with privilege I join the SNZ team as Regional Game Development Officer for the Upper North Island. My involvement in the game started when I was 9 years old, with my older brother pitching as hard as he could at me in the back yard with my job being to save the windows from smashing! In my early years I started with Henderson Bears then moving to Marist representing Auckland throughout Age Group teams. It was then I decided to play in the USA and was offered a full ride scholarship at Central Arizona College under the helm of USA Olympic Coach Mike Candrea. During that time I gained an Applied Science Degree in Administration of Justice. Returning back to New Zealand after 7 years I then joined the Ramblers Softball Club as a player/Coach and represented NZ.
After retiring from the game as a player I spent several years in Sydney working for IBM as a Logistics Manager and coaching a mixed team of teenagers in Cronulla! Returning to Auckland I was employed as a Television Production Manager and as an Outside Broadcast Director, mainly working on Secondary School sport. Up until my role with Softball New Zealand I worked as a Sports Coordinator with Rangitoto College the biggest school in Australasia with a roll of 3,500 students. I am also the Head Coach of the Junior White Sox team that will be heading to South Africa in December 2011!
I have had several highlights in my softball career I am very proud of achieving, including coaching Ramblers to a National Title in 1989, winning a NJCAA National title in the USA as a player, and recently with the Junior White Sox, taking a Test Series off the Australians!
I have always given 110% in every aspect of the game weather it was as a player, a Coach or an Administrator. I am excited about this role which will allow me to listen to the needs of all Softballers and go to bat for us!
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Cowley Harris
Central North Island
Email: Cowley
Cell:
Counties, Waikato, Western Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Tairawhiti, Hawkes Bay.
Since playing softball for the Frankton Red Sox as a 7yr old my fascination with our sport has never failed to stir my curiosity. All the games within our game makes for a myriad of intrigue. |
My previous employment as a Stock Manager fortunately allowed me to follow my sporting aspirations. The two sports that captured my passion were Rugby League and of course Softball. Having played both at Rep level and also Refereeing League at the national level for 15 years.
As a member of the Waikato Softball Association Board for 7 years (last 2 as President), administration is part of my portfolio I am comfortable with.
Coaching Waikato Rep Club sides for the past 5 years has been a large part of my development.
I am so excited about this opportunity to help all the Associations in the Central North Island Region to develop and deliver "Our Game"
Counties Manukau, Waikato, WBOP, Hawkes Bay and Te Tairawhiti are sleeping Giants. My focus is to empower them all to reach the podium.
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Marnie Barber
Lower North Island
Email: Marnie
Cell: 021537067
Manawatu; Wellington, Hutt Valley, Taranaki, Wanganui
Hi all, looking forward to my role as RGDO for Lower North Island Region. Hvaing grown up in Levin I represented both Horowhenua and Manawatu through the age grades, then a move to the Hutt Valley playing at a club and rep level. |
Softball has always been a great passion of mine and to be involved in the sport in a development role is exciting! Experiences through playing age grade softball were the best memories meeting so many wonderful people along the way. The great gift of softball has been the many lifelong friends made, the travel and fun times. I was fortunate enough to play a season in Minnesota which was such an amazing experience. Travelling to Sydney with the NZ Girls Development Team as Manager, was extremely busy but satisfying and a great experience for the players.
Softball is such a family orientated sport that we ALL must continue to grow and develop. My family too is involved with my 12 year old daughter having played since she was 4 and my 9 year old son is playing again this year after a couple of seasons off. And of course, mum and dad are either coach, manager, scorer, chaparone, fundraising group, shuttle service, spectator, support crew, etc etc... and thats what we love about SOFTBALL!!
I am also keen on developing strong relationships between the many Associations and SNZ, but to do this I need your assistance. I am looking forward to meeting more wonderful volunteers involved in our local Associations.
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Lesley McIntosh
South Island
Email: Lesley
Cell: 021537069
Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast, Canterbury, Central Otago, North Otago, Otago, Southland.
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My experiences include both Sport and Event Management with elite athletes at a National and International level, Marketing and Management. In addition I have a sound knowledge of working with volunteers which I am sure will come in handy to this role which is new to the Tasman Region.
I have recently returned back from the UK where I held 2 positions; One being the National Team manager for the England U18 Women's team for England Hockey. The second position is Hockey Development Officer for Active Surrey in partnership with Surrey Hockey Association. In both positions I was able to build a strong network of relationships, something which I hope to continue in the Tasman, Marlborough, and West Coast areas.
My previous employment in NZ saw me employed as one of Hockey NZ's Regional Development Managers, based at the Auckland Hockey Association. My job entailed ensuring a high level of organisation of the Athletes, Coaches, Managers and volunteers involved at a National Hockey Level.
Both in NZ and England I work along side High Performance Athletes helping coach and encourage those that are aiming for National Representative Teams. My jobs in NZ have allowed me to form strong bonds with Hockey NZ, its Regional Offices, and the Sporting Trusts within Greater Auckland.
I am looking forward to the challenges that lay ahead of me and hope i can bring a fresh approach to softball in my region.
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