Waikato Institute for Leadership and Sport Studies

🚨 FULLY Funded NZ Cert in Sport Coaching Course

Our final 2026 September intake is NOW OPEN!

- Lead and motivate your team
- Build your confidence as a coach
- Gain a cross-code NZQA-approved Qual

Funded places are limited. Secure your Summer 2026 Cohort place NOW.

🚨 Register your Interest -> https://forms.gle/tcZiTioEkbVg8JWb8

🚀🚀 WYLD 2026!! 🚀🚀

Great day last week at the Waikato Young Leaders Day.

Huge thanks to everyone involved in delivering another strong event at the University of Waikato for 400 Year 9 students from across the region.

Students dived into practical leadership development - reflecting on who they are, making positive choices, building confidence, and learning to walk the talk through teamwork activities, inspiring stories from senior student leaders, and mixing with peers from other schools.

The energy was outstanding, and the feedback from the rangatahi was spot on: "Motivating, fun, and genuinely valuable."

WILSS i proud to deliver these opportunities that help young people step up in their schools and communities.

Future leaders in the making! 💪

Alan and Bevan visited the Sound Care Group team today to facilitate an interactive leadership development session.

The centre and clinical managers took time to reflect on the essence of leadership and how it shapes their daily practice.

If your team would like to explore professional development opportunities with WILSS, get in touch.

🙌 HeadzUp 2026! 🙌

Held at the The University of Waikato in the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts building yesterday.

164 head students from 35 secondary schools across the Waikato region and further afield.

This annual leadership event aims to inspire and equip our secondary school head leaders with practical tools for their leadership roles in school, as well as beyond the school gate.

The event opened with remarks from Assistant Vice Chancellor Dr Keaka Hēmi of the University of Waikato, setting a tone of academic and personal growth.

Attendees then heard from Chloe Howard, who provided information on the University of Waikato, and Greg O'Carroll, head of the Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship Programme, who highlighted scholarship opportunities for students to think about and apply for.

Intimate sessions with 6 Sir Edmund Hillary Scholars offered up-close inspiration, reflection, and personalised advice.

Event organizer Paula Dewar, School Leadership Programme Lead at WILSS reflected on the day's success: "It was great to see students connecting and their enthusiasm throughout the day. Students left with tools to take back and practice in their leadership roles at school."

Thank you to the University of Waikato for their support, and the WILSS facilitators who help make the day so impactful for the Waikato's top young leaders.

Congratulations to the schools that see the value in this day of leadership development for their students.

POOL COMPLIANCE COURSE

Ministry of Education Compliance Regulation for School Pools.
WILSS is offering a session on Pool Compliance - 26 March 2026.

The full day programme would be beneficial to caretakers, teachers, principals, BOT members and parents involved in pool maintenance.

For more details, check out the Flyer below.

A partnership project in action with Waikato Badminton!

Waikato Badminton Association Announces Development Pathways and Coach Framework for 2026 Season

Waikato Badminton Association (WBA) is excited to launch its new Player & Coach Development Pathways and Coach Development Framework, designed to elevate badminton in the region for the 2026 season, and into the future.

Aligned with Sport New Zealand's Sport Pathways Framework, and developed in partnership with the community, Badminton New Zealand, and Sport Waikato; these initiatives focus on safe, supportive environments across social, competitive, and performance domains to match participants' motivations.

Read our full media release on our website: www.waikatobadminton.co.nz

To complete a expression of interest - head to our website or this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEmlCMoMrjYe7v8i5ylvaBUEsjBdnimL-KbeOllUhrHAogyA/viewform

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all.

POOL COMPLIANCE COURSE

Ministry of Education Compliance Regulation for School Pools.
WILSS is offering sessions on Pool Compliance - 30 January and 20 February 2026.

The full day programme would be beneficial to caretakers, teachers, principals, BOT members and parents involved in pool maintenance.

For more details, check out the Flyer below.