Leigh grew up here in Gisborne before going on to represent New Zealand as a Silver Fern for nearly a decade, playing 61 Tests and captaining the team that won the Netball World Cup in 1987.

Since then she’s stayed deeply connected to the game as a coach, leader, and mentor, seeing netball from just about every angle.

We talk about those early days growing up in Gizzy, what sport looked like back then, and the work ethic that was modelled at home, shaping the way she approached both life and netball.

We also talk about her journey through elite netball and how those experiences shaped the way she now approaches coaching.

It’s a great kōrero about effort, leadership, and the people and moments that shape you along the way.

So let’s get into it... here’s Leigh Gibbs.

We’re joined by three local play champions: Anna Tolich and Nina Kirikiri from Whiti Ora Tairāwhiti — Anna is the Play Lead and Nina the Māori Tākaro Lead — and alongside them is Katie Kennedy, the Play Advocate at Gisborne District Council.

We chat about the play memories that stick with us, why risky play is actually full of learning, and what gets in the way for tamariki today such as time, screens, busy lives, and sometimes us adults. We also explore play through a Te Ao Māori lens, and how tākaro shows up not just physically, but through whānau, stories, and connection.

So here’s a wee challenge as you listen... think back to your earliest play memory, and if you can, share it with someone this week, or feel free to add it to the comments.

Sit back and have some fun with Anna, Nina and Katie. Please enjoy, kia ora!

Jason shares his journey from starting judo as a four-year-old to producing Olympians, national champs, and over 20 black belts, all from right here in Gizzy.

It’s a kōrero packed with reflections on legacy, coaching with heart, and what it means to build a club culture where people feel like they belong.

Whether it’s sharing stories of his dad, his coaching philosophy, or why judo is still his happy place after all these years—this one’s full of great messages and grounded wisdom.

Please enjoy, kia ora!

Finger Tape Podcast (Paul Jefferson) - Jason King episode

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4lZA72ZnTU7Thfc6N9f7jy?si=e9a7acfada5848fb

Her journey hasn’t been easy—she’s faced the highs and lows of elite sport, the heartbreak of losing her dad, and the challenges of dyslexia. But with resilience, determination, and a deep love for the ocean, she’s carved out her place in the sport, overcoming obstacles and achieving incredible milestones along the way.

We chat about what it means to represent Aotearoa, the mental game behind elite competition, and the lessons she’s learned from both success and struggle. From growing up in Gizzy, where local legends inspired her, to figuring out how to balance the pressure of competing with the simple joy of surfing, this is an honest and inspiring yak.

So, kick back, grab a cuppa, and enjoy this episode with Saffi.

Kia ora.

They are passionate about football, you will either see them playing, officiating and coaching most weekends, potentially doing all three over a weekend. They are strong advocates for the improvement of female football here in Te Tairawhiti, and have both previously worked for Central Football in the development space.

We talk to them about their early years, what got them into coaching, and who their influences were. We also take a look at women’s football here and discuss what we can do to better support it, including touching on the rep programme and the challenges our district faces. Plus, we answer the big question, "Why is it called football and soccer?" and explore the origin of why football is known as "The Beautiful Game."

We are almost at the end of our first series of The Sideline Yak, and we would love to get your feedback. We want to know what you liked and what you didn’t. If you know someone from Te Tairāwhiti who would make a great guest, let us know. Feel free to share your thoughts with us by emailing the theyak@whitiora.org.

For now, let’s get back to the show. Please enjoy this episode with Lizzy and Lee. Kia ora!

In this episode, I sit down with Diana Dobson, also known as Dobbie, an award-winning journalist and photographer whose career spans various sports, with a particular passion for horses. Diana's impressive resume includes coverage of three World Equestrian Championships, Burghley, Equitana, and multiple Horse of the Year events. 

On today’s show we chat with New Zealand international sports star Trish Hina, better known as 'Chockee'. Trish has represented New Zealand in four sports – softball, touch, rugby union and rugby league.  

On this episode I sit down with Arna Majstrovic, Rose Hulls and Kelly Swann-Ferris, three teacher coaches who have worked in and around community and high performance sport and teach PE and Health. They have been involved across a wide range of sports including surf lifesaving, netball, football, swimming and waka ama.

Our kōrero covers what sport looked like for them growing up, their influences, why they got into coaching and we touch on discipline and resilience. We also discuss trials and selections, coaching females, and how we can normalise conversations about periods, hormones and the menstrual cycle.

This was a cool conversation and something I think we need to be discussing more, especially female health in sport. The more education on this topic, the more opportunities we have to create positive sporting experiences for our coaches and athletes.

One last thing... I paraphrased a book in our conversation, so just wanted to acknowledge the book and the author, The Spartan Mindset - Mastering the language of excellence by Reed Maltbie. It's a great book!

If you have a topic that you would like discussed next time on Chronicles of a Coach, please email us at the address in our episode description. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this episode with Arna, Rose and Kelly. Kia ora!

As always if you liked this episode of The Sideline Yak please feel free to rate or review us.

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Sam is sired to the coast, in particular Tolaga Bay which he calls home. He plays rugby for Uawa Sports Club and represents Ngati Porou East Coast in the Heartland competition. Sam shares a unique record with team mate Verdon Bartlett as the only two players to have won the Meads Cup, Lochore Cup and Bill Osborne Taonga. In 2022 he received the Ian Kirkpatrick medal for outstanding contribution on behalf of professional players both on and off the field. He also played through the longest first-class losing streak in NZ Rugby losing 54 consecutive matches from 2013-2021

Kickboxing is another area where Sam has excelled, in 2022 he won the super light heavyweight 80kg category at NZ's K1 kickboxing tournament, King in the Ring.

We chat with Sam about growing up on the farm in a small community. How sport was something that kept him focussed and provided enjoyment. He reflects on how a poor decision returned him home to the path he was meant to be on. 

We discuss how his brother’s influence got him playing rugby for the Coast, the ups and down of his playing career and also what makes the Coast so special. 

Sam shares insights into his kickboxing career, the transition from team sports into individual sports at a late age, winning the King in the Ring title and how his last tournament was a real challenge.

His passion and commitment to the coast is unwavering and his story is a great reflection of an athlete who never gives up.

As always please share this far and wide and if you love what we are doing feel free to leave us a review

Kia ora.

Sydnee started judo when she was 5 years old and has rapidly made a name for herself on the national and international stage. Relocating to the United Kingdom, Sydnee is based out of Camberley Judo Club, one of the UK's top judo clubs.

Her grit, determination and drive has provided some outstanding results. Along with her bronze at the Commonwealth Games, her latest efforts saw her create history by being  the first NZ judoka to medal at an International Judo Federation tour event – a bronze medal at the Zagreb Grand Prix. 

Sydnee shares with us her love of the sport and the values that judo brings to her. We discuss the Tairāwhiti Rising Legends programme and how it has had a positive effect on her career.

We talk about the processes she takes to prepare for matches, looking after the mind and how rest and recovery are key areas of focus for her and how, more importantly, taking that time to just be herself.

Sydnee describes what it was like to win the bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games and also reflects on her results for this year and what the future looks like.

This is an insightful journey into the life of Sydnee's career, her challenges from school days, to her history-making achievements on the world-stage. Now at the age of 21, Sydnee has her sights firmly set on the Olympics and 2024 looks to be an exciting year!

Ngā mihi o te tau hou! Happy New Year and thank you all our listeners, see you next year, we will be back with more sporting personalities from right here in Te Tairāwhiti. 

Welcome to a new segment of The Sideline Yak . . . Chronicles of a Coach! 

We talk about his new vocation as a coach but more importantly Miah takes us on a journey of his career as a professional rugby player. How the love of the game and wanting to make his family proud set him on a path starting at Gisborne Boys' High School, into the National Age Group scene, through the New Zealand NPC competition and then overseas playing in Ireland and Italy.

Miah shares his stories of this incredible time in his life, the dedication to make it as a professional rugby player and the setbacks that occurred through non-selection and injuries. We discuss how he overcame adversity through a positive mindset and confronting these challenges head-on.

We chat about the support of his family, his reflections on his career and his natural move into the rugby coaching space.

This is a great listen for coaches, parents and especially aspiring athletes.

Kia manahau - enjoy!

We have two amazing wāhine from the Tairāwhiti netball community on this episode of The Sideline Yak -- Cristal Kemp and Monique McLeod.  

Today on the show, we’re talking to local surfing sage and coach Florian Bub... Flo as he is more commonly known. 

Flo has called Tūranga/Gisborne home for the last seven years after leaving his Bavarian hometown for the Kiwi surfing lifestyle. 

Flo was a former champion ski racer competing on the international stage for Germany. A career-ending knee injury changed the course of his life and from there he moved into the financial sector working as a bond trader and managing stock portfolios.

He currently works for Gisborne Boardriders as the regional development manager and has recently joined Poverty Bay Rugby Union on contract as the club development manager.

Today, Flo reflects on how his parents influenced his passion for sport. We chat about the impact of his knee injury and how he was able to reflect and find a positive way forward. We take a look at the finer details of coaching, how finding your why can help guide you in life, using reflection as a tool so you don't miss out on important learnings and what a good mentor can look like. 

Flo's positive outlook on life is infectious, there are always opportunities in life and we are truly grateful to have had this opportunity to have a yak!

If you enjoyed this yak, please feel free to follow us and/or share with others! 

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Amber has officiated over 100 international matches throughout her career! 

After receiving her international badge in Brazil in 2010 she has gone on to umpire at  the Olympic Games, World Cups, and the Commonwealth Games and continues to umpire and mentor at a local and national level. 

2022 was a big year for Amber having officiated at both the Womens Hockey World Cup in Netherlands and Spain  and her first Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. She went on to umpire both gold medal final matches. 

Today, Amber shares with us how the love of hockey provides her with enjoyment and connection, how 'giving back' to the sport led her down the officiating pathway, we take a look at how her skillset as a teacher transfers to hockey and we discuss how a good support network is vital for those that are involved in officiating sport. 

This is our first episode! And we are excited to do more, so if you like this feel free to follow us and/or share with others! 
https://thesidelineyak.alitu.com/
https://sportgisborne.org.nz/