Barry Hislop - Athlete Life Advisor

Barry has a Graduate Certificate in Athlete Career & Education Management - Australian Institute of Sport completed 1999. He has been involved in high performance sport and sports management for 35 years as a professional. He qualified as a Physical Education instructor in the New Zealand Combined Services RNZN and has continued to complete a wide range of studies including coaching, sport and fitness management, event management and adult education.

He is currently the General Manager of Regional Development for Sport Wellington Region and is the Team Manager for the NZ Wheel Blacks.

Carolyn Donaldson - Athlete Life Advisor

Carolyn joined NZASNI in 2004 and prior to that spent 14 years in the sales and marketing field. Carolyn has a Bachelor of Commerce, a Diploma in Home Science, and a Graduate certificate in Career Counselling for Elite Performers and Post Graduate Diploma in Science (Nutrition). She is currently part of the SESNZ Nutrition internship programme and is working towards her level 1 accreditation. In her spare time Carolyn enjoys keeping fit herself, following her 2 children with their sporting pursuits and spending time with family and friends.

Criss Strange - Performance Services Advisor - Waikato/Bay of Plenty

Criss graduated with a Graduate Certificate in Athlete Career and Education Management in April of 2002 and is a registered psychiatric nurse. He is a former NZ Track & Field representative and has 25 years experience in the fitness industry. Criss is based at the Waikato Institute of Technology in the Sport & Exercise Science Department at the Avalon Campus in Hamilton. He takes all general enquiries for New Zealand Academy of Sport in the Waikato, King Country and Bay of Plenty areas.

Gaye Bryham - Athlete Life Advisor

Gaye holds a Degree in Physical Education from Otago University, a Masters of Arts (Applied) in Recreation Administration (Victoria University) and the Graduate Certificate in Athlete Career and Education Management from the Australian Institute of Sport.

Gaye started with the Academy in August 2000 and manages the ACE programme for the northern region.

Gaye played representative squash for Otago, Wellington and Auckland as well as representative netball for Otago. In 1995 she managed/coached the New Zealand Junior Women's squash team at the World Championships.

Between mid 1995 and 1997 she spent 2 years cycle touring in 12 countries and ran the London marathon. Her current interests include cycling, kayaking and running.

Greg Smith - Athlete Life Advisor

Greg holds a Diploma of Teaching, Degree in Education and Post Graduate Diploma in Management Studies from Waikato University. He is currently completing the Post Graduate Certificate in Career Counseling for Elite Athletes from Victoria University in Melbourne.
Greg was previously part of the Athlete Life program in 2004-05 before taking the role as Professional Development Manager with the Chiefs Super 14 Rugby team. He has now recommenced his role within Athlete Life.
Greg played professional rugby between 1995 to 2004 for the Waikato Provincial Team, Chiefs Super 12 team and the Fijian National team.
Greg is based at the Waikato Institute of Technology in the Sport & Exercise Science Department at the Avalon Campus in Hamilton.
Currently involved with athletes from Equestrian, Triathlon, Bowls, BMX, Womens Rugby

Helen Regan - Athlete Life Advisor

Julie Jorgensen (nee Worth) - Athlete Life Advisor

Julie joined the Academy Team in December 2004 after working for five years for Yachting New Zealand. Julie has represented New Zealand in boardsailing both nationally and internationally for over 10 years and is still involved in yachting as a coach at a variety of levels. Julie has a BBS from Massey University with double majors in Sport Management and HR Management and a Post Graduate Certificate in Career Counselling for Elite Performers (Sport). She is also a keen triathlete.

Karin Adelinger-Smith - Athlete Life Advisor

Karin has a BA and an Advanced Certificate in Recreation Management from AUT as well as a Graduate Certificate in Athlete and Career Management. Karin joined the Academy in 2001 and has been working as an ACE advisor with athletes across a variety of sports for the last 6 years. In April 2007 Karin joined the Academy full time from her previous role with North Shore City Council. She is the mother to daughter Satori and a brand new baby boy Benjamin!

Karin is currently on maternity leave

Kirsten Hellier -

Nick Cowan - Sponsorship and Marketing Advisor

Nick Cowan who manages Valerie Vili and Moss Burmester , has recently joined our team to deliver sponsorship workshops and provide on hand Marketing and Sponsorship advisory. 1-1 sessions with athletes. The focus has been to help athletes identify what they have to offer, what their brand is and how to get the most out of their existing networks.

Sarah Harris - Athlete Life Advisor

Susan Thomason - Athlete Life and Performance Planning Manager

Susan holds a Masters in Counselling and a Post Graduate Certificate in Career Counselling for Elite Performers. Susan has a private practice, Thomason & May Ltd providing supervision, counselling and training. She is also teaches supervision and counsellor education at WINTEC. Susan has played and been involved in coaching and administration of basketball. She is passionate about supporting athletes and their sport through ACE and the New Zealand Academy of Sport. She enjoys time with her family and is a keen supporter of her sons’ basketball and other activities. When relaxing she likes to cycle, walk, hike or kayak.

Tracey Paterson - Athlete Life Advisor

Tracey is the Sports Performance Services Advisor for the Silver Ferns and NZ A, and NZ Hockey’s Support Services Manager. Tracey balances her time between the NZASN offices at MISH and Netball NZ. Much of her time is also spent at training camps and within the athlete training environment where time is focused on understanding the sport and athlete needs to direct support service activity.