For first-time leaders in sport who don’t want to fake it till they make it.

Stepping into an executive role in sport as a General Manager, CEO or Head of Department is a big jump.
Suddenly you’re managing boards, staff, volunteers, budgets, politics and performance often with no real handover and not many people you can be fully honest with.

This coaching and mentoring is designed specifically for first-time sport executives who want a calm, confidential partner to think with – not another generic leadership course.

Who this is for

This is a good fit if you’re:

A new CEO / GM / Executive Officer at an association, club or a not for profit organisation.
A Head of Department (e.g. Competitions, Pathways, High Performance, Operations) moving into your first executive-level role.
Someone who’s come up through coaching, operations, referees or competitions and now has to think at board and strategy level.
Sitting in the chair and thinking:
“I can do this – but I’d really like someone neutral who understands sport to help me work it out.”

Common challenges we work on

Every leader is different, but some themes come up again and again:

Moving from doer to leader
Letting go of “I’ll just do it myself” and building a team that can actually carry the load.
Boards, Chairs and politics
Preparing for board meetings, managing expectations, pushing back respectfully, and knowing when to escalate.
Strategy that isn’t just a document
Turning big plans into clear priorities, rhythms, KPIs and communication your staff and members actually understand.
Managing staff and volunteers
Having hard conversations, resetting roles, giving feedback, and looking after good people so they don’t burn out.
Confidence and headspace
Dealing with impostor syndrome, overload and decision fatigue – especially when your phone never really stops.
Sport-specific complexity
Juggling competitions, events, facilities, high performance, referees, schools and councils all at once.

What coaching with me looks like

This isn’t a generic leadership program. We work on the real situations on your desk right now, in your sport environment.

Typically, coaching includes:

1:1 sessions (online or in person where possible)
A mix of coaching, mentoring and practical problem-solving
Support between sessions by email/phone for the “I just need a quick steer” moments
Simple tools and templates – board reporting, meeting rhythms, decision frameworks, stakeholder maps – tailored to your context
A confidential space to say what you really think and feel, without it ending up back in the organisation

You set the agenda. Some weeks it’s a tough staff conversation, other weeks it’s your board pack, a facilities meeting, or how to structure your time.

Make It

Engagement Options

First 90 Days Intensive

A short, focused block to set you up in a new role.
3 x 75-minute sessions over 6 weeks
Email & phone support between sessions
Clear 90-day plan and priorities
6-Month Executive Mentoring

Ongoing support through a full season or major project.
Fortnightly or monthly sessions
Support with board meetings, staff issues and key decisions
Check-ins between sessions as needed
Ongoing Executive Coaching

For leaders who want a longer-term thinking partner.
Custom frequency (monthly/bi-monthly)
Focus on sustainable performance, not just crisis management