Vale Neville Thomson

Volleyball in New Zealand is in mourning following the passing of former National Men’s Team representative Neville Thomson.

Neville recorded a range of achievements on the court, including two National School titles, showcasing his talent and dedication to the sport during his formative years.

He represented New Zealand, in the Senior Men’s Team from 1973 to 1979.

In addition to his international achievements, Neville was a dominant force in the national club scene as a member of the Sparta Club (Auckland). He secured an impressive eight National Club titles throughout his illustrious career, further solidifying his status as a volleyball icon in New Zealand.

Neville also coached NZ Junior Women and contributed significantly to volleyball administration, at a club, regional and national level.

Neville is survived by his partner Pauline Davis and his four children, Livvy, Freddy, Theo and Ellen.

VNZ Board vacancies: Elected & Appointed roles

Ahead of the 2023 Volleyball New Zealand Annual General Meeting in October, Volleyball New Zealand has two vacant governance positions; one nominated by Regional Associations to have their name put forward for election and one appointed position.

Elected position

Via nominations submitted by Regional Associations, the members will elect one board role at the 2023 AGM. Please contact your local Regional Association if you are interested in being nominated via this process.

Appointed position 

For those interested in the appointed position - information is below which outlines the opportunity and the process to apply.

Position Description

Volleyball NZ is the national sport organisation for Volleyball in New Zealand established to encourage and enhance participation in the sport and support athletes on the international stage.

Volleyball is a dynamic non-contact sport. It is inter-generational, combining genders and ethnicities available to play together. Following a strategic consultation process a new Strategic Plan for 2023-2030 is being implemented to transform Volleyball New Zealand into a multi-code sport and play activity with a significant footprint on the sporting landscape.

Volleyball is the fourth most popular sport in New Zealand secondary schools with 24,000 young people playing last year, bending the trend of most traditional team sports.

The Volleyball New Zealand Board has seven board members, four elected and three appointed. In 2023 Volleyball New Zealand has two vacant governance positions, one nominated by Regional Associations to have their name put forward for election and one appointed position.

The Board holds bi-monthly virtual meetings with one in-person board meeting alongside additional sub-committee meetings and strategy sessions. It is expected that interested applicants will have an affinity with Volleyball and value the work that Volleyball New Zealand does for the sport and the community.

Ideal Applicant

Volleyball New Zealand is seeking candidates with the following attributes:

  • Good knowledge of the sports sector and an understanding of Volleyball
  • Experience in governance and strengths in HR and or working with volunteers
  • Strong alignment with the aims and values of the organisation
  • Sound analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Good strategic thinking and decision-making skills

Diversity

We particularly encourage applications from Women, Tāngata Whenua, Pasifika, Individuals with a disability, the LGBTQ community.

Information required to apply

To submit your application, attach both your CV and a cover letter, and then proceed to forward your documents to Steven Upfold via the contact information shown below.

Closes – September 28, 2023

Term: 3 years

Time commitment: bi-monthly board meeting cycle

Remuneration: Unpaid

Contact:

Steven Upfold
Interim Chief Executive
Volleyball NZ
E: development@volleyballnz.org.nz,

 

VNZ welcome ASICS to the volleyball whanau

Volleyball New Zealand is delighted to confirm ASICS will be the organisation's official footwear provider as of July 2023.

The agreement supports Volleyball NZ's high-performance teams, the Volley Ferns & Volley Blacks - as well as aiming to educate & engage the growing volleyball community on the technology available in ASICS footwear. Traditional six-a-side volleyball is the fourth most popular sport in New Zealand secondary schools with 24,000 young people playing last year, bending the trend of most traditional team sports.

“We’re delighted to welcome ASICS as a partner to the Volleyball NZ whanau. ASICS is a premium brand in the volleyball community globally and we’re excited about how can activate our partnership with them to support the game in New Zealand - right from our pinnacle international teams to our community members and players,” said Volleyball NZ Interim CEO Steven Upfold.

ASICS look forward to helping Volleyball New Zealand as they continue their campaigns and maximise their growing participation rates. Also increased exposure of the sport is high on the agenda. ASICS product is designed with the athlete in mind and provides technology that helps athlete perform at their highest level.

ASICS Blast FF

The Asics Blast FF 3 is ASICS’ latest volleyball shoe. Built as an indoor court shoe, it features top-tier stability and support. Your foot sits low to the ground and is contained within the midsole, reducing the foots movement whilst on the court. Stability protects your ankles.  The team at ASICS look forward to supporting our national representative players in their upcoming season. For all your Volleyball footwear needs check out the ASICS selection here including the BLAST FF worn by the Volley Blacks and Volley Ferns.

Child Safeguarding Week

Volleyball New Zealand is supporting Child Safeguarding Week, 4-10 September 2022

VNZ acknowledges that:

- Every child has the right to be in a safe environment and to be heard by an adult trained in child protection, and supported by them
- Every child has the right to be in a safe environment, wherever that is, without fear of abuse
- Every child has the right to be heard by an adult trained in child protection, and supported by them
- Organisations working with children must always have staff available who are trained to recognise and respond to signs and disclosures of abuse
- Individuals who work with young children in any capacity must have training in recognising and responding to signs and disclosures of abuse
- Child abuse is preventable
- Our children need to be protected from abuse and neglect everywhere they go.

Resources

Webinar
Parents and caregivers have high levels of concern, expectation and trust in organisations to keep their children safe. However, there is a disconnect between their expectations and the actions that organisations take to ensure children are safe. This webinar will introduce you to the core elements of a child safe organisation and the steps an organisation can take to make their places safer for children. You will be guided to the development work your organisation needs to make to move forward on this journey.

Click here to access the webinar.

Website
Visit www.childsafeguardingweek.org.nz for more information

Strategic Plan open for feedback

Volleyball New Zealand has completed work on a refreshed strategic plan and have moved into the consultation phase with our stakeholders and wider community.

Please click here for the 2022 – 2030 Mahere Rautaki – Strategic Plan for you to view.

We encourage all members of our community to review the plan and let us know your thoughts via this survey.

The survey will remain open until Monday 18 April. 

Volleyball New Zealand | Poirewa Aotearoa
FIVB
AVC
Oceania Volleyball
Volleyball New Zealand Inc
Sports House, Stadium Drive,
Albany, Auckland, New Zealand

admin@volleyballnz.org.nz