Born and bred in the UK, I am now lucky enough to call beautiful Queenstown my home. 

I truly believe that in order to feel our best, we need to look at all aspects of our health - mental, physical, social, and the rest! I am passionate about working with your individual lifestyles, needs, goals, and preferences to help you to feel energized and your happiest and healthiest self, using sustainable habit change-based approaches. 

When I'm not at work, you can find me running or hiking on the trails, riding my road bike, swimming in lakes, camping in my van, and drinking great coffee!! 

I have been involved in sport and recreation for as long as I can remember. As someone who understands the positive well-being benefits it has provided throughout my life, I strongly believe everyone should have the opportunity to participate. My passion for sport led me to complete a Bachelor in Sport and Recreation Management and Master's in Business from Lincoln University. Committed to delivering a safe and inclusive environment, I have been heavily involved in coaching and management from five-year-olds to adults.  

Outside of work, you will most likely find me exploring all Central Otago has to offer with my fiancé Kate and dog Hank, or on the couch watching sport... 

As Sport and Active Recreation Advisor for the Central Otago District, I am here to help with all things sport in the area. Please if you need some support or just want to have a chat about ideas, reach out!!

In my role I work with anyone experiencing issues that impact on their Health and Wellbeing. I help people to build motivation and capability to better understand and self-manage their physical and emotional wellbeing needs. I love hearing people's stories and I'm passionate about supporting them through change.

I'm Caroline, the newest member of the Healthy Lifestyles team. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to get out into the Otepoti community and help families to navigate their unique pathway to a healthier lifestyle. 

I have a background in nutrition and am passionate about helping people overcome the many different, and often overwhelming barriers that get in the way of them achieving good short term and long-term health. 

I’m originally from sunny Nelson, so naturally have a love of being outdoors, whether at the beach or walking and running local bush tracks. 

Please contact me for any inquiries regarding the Active Families program, whether just to chat or to join the program, I would love to hear from you! 

My role at Sport Clutha is to help with anything sport-related in the Clutha District, from organising events to funding - whatever I can do to help people to be active. When I'm not at work I can usually be found playing sport, training or watching sport.

Kia ora! I am thrilled to be a member of the Sport Otago team, striving to inspire individuals and the community to make the best decisions for a healthy and happy life. With a background in human nutrition and psychology, I strongly believe in taking a holistic approach to wellness and enjoy working closely with individuals to help them achieve their goals.

Growing up in Auckland, I heavily involved myself in any sports I could. Since then, I have fallen in love with the Dunedin southern life. These days, you can often find me getting into social team sports, enjoying runs with the dog, and making the most of the beach or ski slopes on the weekends if the weather allows.

Kia Ora, I’m Georgia, a local Dunedin girl. I have transitioned from the Play Lead role at Sport Otago, into a new role, as Healthy Active Learning Advisor. I am excited to work with Dunedin schools, helping to create play and physical activity opportunities for tamariki and help school staff learn more about the Health & PE Curriculum and how we can make make movement meaningful!

Out of work I play hockey and do CrossFit, as well as enjoying a brunch out and having fun with family and friends, and of course walk and play with my dog Cooper! 

During my upbringing I participated in numerous physical activity opportunities such as rugby, basketball, rock climbing, scuba diving, and mountain biking. However,  it was my personal and holistic connection through Mau rākau and rugby that allowed me to experience Te Ao Māori (Māori worldview), and build a sense of belonging. As a result, my story demonstrates how sport and active recreation reconnected me to my cultural identity, therefore enhancing my wellbeing.

Becoming a part of the Sport Otago Whānau, I wish to utilise my position to advocate, support, and build systemic change across the sector. I hope that diverse groups and priority communities work alongside Sport Otago, so they can use physical activity as a vehicle to promote their individual wellbeing.

My why: I am passionate about the benefits that sport, recreation and activity can bring to an individual and also to a community. Sport has helped me see the world, build some life long friends, have fun with my family and keep me healthy. I now get to work for Sport Otago and our wonderful staff and Board to help support our community make the most of our awesome environment to get out there and be active.

I have come from leadership positions across technology and professional services businesses in Dunedin. I am actively involved in coaching a school hockey 1st XI and am also a current selector for the Men's Blacksticks hockey team. My family consists of my wife Sophie, a Year 9 son Max and a Year 7 daughter Anabelle. The kids are all very active so between Sophie and I we spend a lot of time at the Edgar centre, the oval and on various sports fields around Dunedin. We also love to get out on our mountain bikes.

I’m Jo Knight- Community Sport Advisor for Sport Central. I work across Central Otago and Southern Lakes - the main towns being Wanaka and Queenstown, and all the rural areas in between! As Community Sport Advisor, I assist with club sport, work with two Councils on sharing facilities and collaborating on initiatives, Active Recreation for Rangatahi and I have a passion for adaptive Sport.

Working and living in paradise, I enjoy hiking with my dog Alfie, mountain biking, paddle boarding, cross-country and alpine skiing - anything that involves being out in our stunning natural environment. I have recently taken up Pickleball and Disc Golf, with varying levels of success! It’s refreshing to learn something new.

I grew up playing traditional sports (netball, basketball, tennis), then got introduced to running, and that turned into trail running, adventure racing and multi-sport. When I entered semi-retirement, I took up coaching to stay involved in the sports that I loved, and also use my Phys Ed degree. I still coach a few endurance athletes and enjoy coaching at a community level for our local Aspiring Athletes Club.

Kia ora! I’m Kate, a Central Otago local with a love for physical activity. I am the Play and Physical Education Advisor for Sport Central, where I promote, deliver, and facilitate Play and PE to early childhood settings and primary-aged tamariki. I believe everyone should have the opportunity and confidence to participate in physical activity, and I strive to make that a reality. Football is my passion, and I also enjoy recreational activities like running around beautiful Central Otago with Hank, our dog. Growing up in Cromwell, I was a participant in many Sport Otago initiatives, and I feel grateful to now promote play, PE, and Healthy Active Learning in my community.

Kia Ora! I’m Keely, a proud Balclutha local with a lifelong passion for sports and active recreation. Growing up immersed in rugby, netball, touch, and athletics, I’ve always been deeply connected to my community through sports. With the support of my whānau, my love for sport, recreation, health and wellbeing has inspired me to pursue a career in the sporting industry. As I step into the Healthy Active Learning role with Sport Otago, I’m thrilled at the opportunity to give back to the rangatahi and tamariki of South Otago. When I’m not working, you’ll find me on the rugby field, playing for Big River Country and the Otago Spirit, or training with the wider squad for Matatu Super Rugby. I’m excited to begin this new chapter with Sport Otago and make a positive impact in our community!

I completed my Physical Education degree a few years back and since then have worked at Sport Otago in a handful of different roles. Now I am excited to be leading the Active Communities team! I love seeing individuals develop and flourish in any given environment and I am looking forward to supporting our team and communities to be active. When I am not at work, you can find me out exploring our amazing trails, playing netball, having a coffee or two and hanging out with my family!

Kia ora, I am fortunate to be supporting our team in Green Prescription, Active Families, and Tōko Oranga. Having been a healthy lifestyle advisor for two years, I have a great appreciation for the awesome support our team is able to provide for the people of Otago. I am a Dunedin boy through and through and it’s great to give back to the community.

I am passionate about improving individuals and local communities overall health and wellbeing. In my role of work a can assist anyone that needs support with their Health and Wellbeing. 

Previously I studied a Bachelor of Applied Science (Physical activity, Health and Wellbeing). Followed by working in a rural hospital, my role being in physical rehabilitation.

When I am not working you will find me running, biking, hiking somewhere in the mountains or down at the local social sport grounds with friends and family.

Kia ora, I have recently been appointed GM - Operations. My role is responsible for the general day to day operational management of our people, finance, marketing and communications, administration, and other support services functions. I joined Sport Otago in 2021 as our Insights and Evaluation Lead. Prior to joining Sport Otago, I worked in the banking industry as a bank manager and corporate analyst, and prior to that in retail management.

I love being part of the awesome Sport Otago team, as I have been heavily involved in community sport throughout my life. In my spare time I love spending time with my young family, and in winter you’ll find me playing or coaching on the football field, or behind the microphone commentating national league football matches.

Hey team, I'm Owen, or known as Boothy to some. I started at Sport O back in 2006 after finishing up at the University of Otago with a Post Grad Diploma in Physical Education. I have been lucky to have had multiple roles here over the years, working across education, health, and sport. I have been in my current role as GM-Programmes since 2012. The role has oversight of our programme delivery, HR management, regional leadership and stakeholder relationship components, and coordination of our accountability and reporting.

Outside of work, I am married to Shannon and have four children - Tiahli, Ashton, Coby, and Niko. I have been a member of the Dunedin Rugby Club (the Sharks) as a player, coach, and administrator since 2000. I play social Touch (also for the Sharks), like good coffee, not a tea fan, prefer beaches over lakes, and enjoy cooking but not baking (I am the reigning Sport Otago 'Come Dine with Me' champ).

I was born in Auckland but have been based in Dunedin for 23 years now, and am very happy to call this awesome little city my home.

Kia Ora, I’m Sara and I grew up in Kurow. From a young age I have loved being involved with sports and being active. Currently my favorite activities are playing netball and going for a walk with friends. This led me to studying Physical Education, Activity and Health at Otago University.

Being amongst the Sport Otago crew for a number or years within the Kelly Sports space, I’m now excited for my new role as the Events Lead. Being physically active is something I am passionate about, and enjoy helping others to do the same. I am looking forward to delivering the wide range of events Sport Otago offer for our community, and working alongside some awesome people. When not at work you’ll most likely find me on a running trail up in the hills of Dunedin, playing social sport, or walking my dog Douglas. I’m also not opposed to a coffee and brunch out in the weekend! Feel free to reach out and connect with me – srussell@sportotago.co.nz 

Originally from Taranaki, I moved to Dunedin from Auckland in 2017 before becoming Mum to one very active tamariki who keeps me on my toes. If I'm not at the reception desk, you might find me taking a stroll around the block or sweating it up the steps to the Northern Cemetery and back.

Kia ora, I’m Tane Whitehead and am excited to start a new challenge as Grants Coordinator. My role will be to lead the coordination and administration of the Learn to Swim Programmes, Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund, Skeggs Foundation Grants, Sporting Chance Fund, and reconnecting preloved sporting goods across communities.

Through growing up playing rugby and rugby league, I know the importance of sport, active recreation and play for people of all ages. This will be reflected through the work I do within my role, alongside the lessons learnt through my undergraduate and honours degree completed at the University of Otago.

​​​​​​​In my “free” time I coach girls (aged 12-18) and women’s rugby and rugby league, from club/school level right through to international level. I also run two podcasts, Baskets of Knowledge and The Show and Go Podcast. These aim to portray that everyone has a story through life’s transitions and different perspectives of grassroots rugby and rugby league in the female space respectively. I am also involved as a Women in Sport Otago (WiSPO) committee member and Otago Rugby League board member. I love to keep active myself, through playing rugby and rugby league, while also challenging myself in running and trying new activities. 

Growing up on the Taieri Plains I found that there are many ways for us to get active in our beautiful region. From playing netball or social basketball to walking my dog Baxter on the beach there are endless opportunities. My goal at Sport Otago is to encourage rangatahi, and those that work with them, to find a physical activty that they enjoy.

Malo e lelei, my name is William Hola and I am the Community Sports Advisor in Dunedin. I am passionate about the holistic success and transformation of people through Sports. I have a diverse background working with young adults through education, youth justice, community work, and sports coaching. My personal and professional experiences give me a unique perspective and approach to learning and teaching, equipping me with the skills, knowledge, and understanding to better influence, engage, empower, and educate others to be the best they can be in life as learners and leaders in their world.

Outside my work, I have a family of eight - married to an amazing wife Amandah with our beautiful six kids; Josiah, Praise, Joseph, David, Tim, and Noah, all a range of different ages. We are a family that loves the simplicity of life and time with friends and family. Food - I like my butter chicken, noodles with eggs on toast, and a cup of milo.

I volunteer my time coaching at the Zingari Richmond Rugby Club and love playing sports competitively and socially. Dunedin has been our home for six years and we continue to enjoy the city and friendships we make.

I look forward to connecting and working with you all.

Malo aupito,

William Hola