The Sideline Yak

On this episode of The Sideline Yak we chat with netball legend Leigh Gibbs. 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...

On this episode of The Sideline Yak, we’re switching things up a bit, because today we’re talking about play, and why it matters just as much as sport. 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 cha...

On this episode of The Sideline Yak, we sit down with long-time Gisborne judo coach Jason King. 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 belon...

We’ve got an epic guest today, a proud Gisborne local who’s made a name for herself on the world surfing stage—Olympian Saffi Vette. She’s gone head-to-head with the best in the sport, proudly worn the silver fern, and even taken on Teahupo’o—one of the heaviest and most dangerous waves in the world. Her journey hasn’t been easy—she’s faced the highs and lows of elite sport, the heartbreak of losi...

On this episode, we are joined by Lizzie Hall and Lee Smith, two coaches who will be familiar to our football community. Lizzie and Lee have been involved with football both from a young age, Lizzie starting here in Gisborne and Lee over in the UK. They are passionate about football, you will either see them playing, officiating and coaching most weekends, potentially doing all three over a weeken...

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.  But Diana's accomplishments don't stop there. She served as a p...

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.    Trish has been described as arguably one of New Zealand's greatest sportswoman, winning three women's rugby league World Cups  and being named MVP in two of those tou...

Welcome back to our segment of The Sideline Yak . . . Chronicles of a Coach, where we get three coaches in a room and discuss topics related to sport! 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 spor...

On today’s show we chat with Ngati Porou East Coast rugby captain and King in the Ring kickboxing champ, Sam Parkes. 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 Me...

Today on the show we chat with Sydnee Andrews, judo athlete and Commonwealth Games bronze medalist. 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...

Welcome to a new segment of The Sideline Yak . . . Chronicles of a Coach!   We wanted to t est something out a little bit different this time  . . . we were curious to know  what would happen if we got three coaches in a room and talked sport – w here would it take us, what would be discussed?!?      I was fortunate enough to sit down with Keenan Ruru-Poharama ,...

Miah Nikora currently works for the Poverty Bay Rugby Union as the Game Development Officer. He is the head coach of the Poverty Bay Heartland rugby team and is the assistant coach of the 2023 NZ Heartland XV rugby team. 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 mak...

We have two amazing wāhine from the Tairāwhiti netball community on this episode of The Sideline Yak -- Cristal Kemp and Monique McLeod.   Cristal and Mons both love netball! They have played the game, umpired the game and coached the game and have been coaching for many years developing their skillset through the netball community coaching pathway and currently both work for the Gisborne Net...

Ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa - warm greetings to you all. 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 fo...

Today on the show, we’re talking to international umpire and local hockey hero Amber Church.  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 leve...