Lessons From a Sporting Dame

Dear Pastors

Lessons from a Sporting Dame

Most people love hearing stories of success. I certainly do. To hear about an individual who has achieved extra-ordinary results in life is one of the most inspirational things I know to give time to. Sport is one such arena that provides us some amazing stories including insights into the skills needed to produce high performing teams. In February I went to see the movie ‘Air’ - the Michael Jordan story and his relationship with Nike shoes. Last week I watched the TVNZ+ series the ‘The Rise of the Billionaires’ simply because I am fascinated what makes people like Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and Larry Page and others like them tick. I’ve just started watching the TVNZ+ series ‘On The Line: The Richard Williams Story’ - it’s an illuminating portrait of a father and his talented daughters - Venus and Serena Williams. This is the real story of the family who revolutionised the sport of tennis, forging a path for future competitors against all odds. And just to add - before the Williams sisters came along top level sport was a white person’s and somewhat elite sport. I’ve watched 30 minutes. I can’t wait to watch the rest over the weekend. Amazing!

That’s all to say that closer to home the story of the Silver Ferns and their incredible success is a story worth 30 mins of your time.

Here is a short article (timeline) of how NZ went from Commonwealth Games shame in 2018 to World Cup glory in 15 months under the skillful coaching and leadership of Dame Noeline Taurua.

And here is a superb article published three weeks ago that takes a close look at both the character and the skills of this remarkable person.

Take a look:-

1. “She is a beautiful human, a beautiful person, and wants to get the best out of you as a person and a player. She can put that together on a court and find ways that work for you as an individual and brings it out in you. She’s just a real good time. She keeps things simple, she has lots of fun, but when you’re working, you’re working.”

Pastor, do you bring out the best in people especially your leadership team members?

2. “She’s an out-of-the-box thinker, so it’s not just standard or repeating or recycling the same old knowledge or words or stuff like that. She definitely makes you think and takes you out of your comfort zone as well and makes you try different things”.

Pastor, do you think out-of-the-box? Is there a bit of maverick in you? I hold a view that church life has become very bureaucratic these days and bureaucracies by nature stifle innovation, creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. But that is a whole other story.

3. “Our coaching relationship is based around how we craft a programme of learning for our team. Then I would describe our relationship as something that the sport of netball gives to all of those involved in it – it's a sisterhood that goes beyond the game”.

Pastor, do you create environments that are like a Silver Fern’s sisterhood? Do you build a sense of community and team-ness that more closely resembles the culture of a family than a production unit?

4. Former Australian coach Lisa Alexander, who coached against Taurua in the 2019 Netball World Cup final says this - Her aura:- “She’s a people person and she’s a wonderful person. I absolutely love her as a colleague and a friend. I don’t particularly like her when we’re facing each other across a netball court. Any other setting she’s definitely got the aura and I think you call it a particular name over there, mana, she’s got it in spades – she’s amazing. Amazing spirit, beautiful heart, gorgeous person. You guys are so lucky you got her when you did.”

Pastor, given that Australia and New Zealand are staunch rivals on the Netball court, isn’t this an incredible testimony? How to be a leader like that. A leader that must make some hard decisions, as Dame Noeline has had to do but when is all said and done even the opposition can say, he/she is a really really nice person. What ‘aura’ do you leave around?

5. Keep reading there’s so much more to be encouraged by.

Blessings
Alan