NPC New Zealand adds two members to High Performance staff

“I am hopeful that we will be able to drive participation numbers upwards and continue to develop wider awareness of Paralympics New Zealand and disability sport in general.”

Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) has announced appointments for two new roles within its High Performance team. These two roles replace the previous single role of Talent Identification Manager. The increased resource will ensure PNZ can continue to develop Para sport in New Zealand.

Dr. Melissa Wilson has been appointed as Para sport High Performance Athlete Development Manager. She will be joined by Kieran Wall as Para sport Community Development Manager.

Wilson comes to PNZ with in-depth theoretical knowledge of athlete development and high performance sport, having completed her doctorate specific to the development of sport expertise. To compliment this knowledge, Wilson comes from a background in building athlete development pathways through her role as Senior Consultant (Talent Identification and Development) with the Australian Institute of Sport and more recently with Australian Canoeing as National Pathway Manager.

The Para sport High Performance Athlete Development Manager role will lead and manage the PNZ Talent Identification and Athlete Development Programme in collaboration with PNZ members and key sector partners.

“I can’t wait to get to work with our member sports and organisations to strengthen capacity and capability in the areas of Para athlete pathway planning, emerging Para athlete development and talent identification,” Wilson said.

Wall brings a huge enthusiasm and vision for Para sport at the community level. He is currently employed as Sports Manager at Parafed Otago, the regional organisation tasked with attracting and involving new people into Para sport at a grassroots level.

Prior to moving to New Zealand, Wall worked towards his ‘Sports Coach UK: How to Coach Disabled People in Sport,’ qualification and volunteered on the ’Playground to Podium’ scheme in Great Britain.

The Para sport Community Development Manager role will lead and manage the PNZ Para sport Community Development programme in collaboration with PNZ Members and key sector partners. The role will play an integral role in generating awareness and creating opportunities for people with impairments to access and develop skills through the Para sport network.

“I am hopeful that we will be able to drive participation numbers upwards and continue to develop wider awareness of Paralympics New Zealand and disability sport in general,” Wall said.

More information on PNZ’s new High Performance staff members can be found on PNZ’s website.