New Zealand has a proud sporting history, known for consistently producing elite, high-performance athletes in Rugby, Netball, Cricket, Rowing and Sailing. The Black Ferns' recent win of the Rugby World Cup has once again placed New Zealand in global sporting headlines.
As the New Year approaches, countries around the world are all reviewing their high-performance programmes and many are looking to New Zealand for inspiration. We have an undeniable strength in our approach to developing athletes. Within rugby, we are able to stand upon the foundations of those who played before us, creating a legacy and a way of life for many Kiwis.
Running with and carrying a rugby ball is a must try for all young New Zealanders, thanks to so many of us trying the game and aspiring to become all that an All Black and now Black Fern represents in athletic ability and character which has sustained our nation's rugby performance.
The Pyramid approach to developing players is vital. The Pyramid refers to having an elite athlete or team at the very top; they can be from the past or current. For example, Ritchie McCaw, he was the Captain of the All Blacks, won two World Cups, Sportsman of the year three times and the most capped rugby player of all time. His achievements continue to inspire many school rugby players today.
However, a new competitor cannot just go from nothing to Ritchie McCaw status. They need to be shown how to get there. The long-term goal of becoming the Captain of the All Blacks or playing for New Zealand is broken down for new players.
- New players learn the basic skills in a school team or community clubs, where they will train alongside the next higher-grade teams. The higher-grade teams such as high school first XV are entering into competitive rugby and have formed close team bond.
- The First XV players will train and play against development squads, New Zealand's up and coming players who have secured access to more in-depth performance resources.
- Development Squads and Regional players look to U18 and U21 New Zealand players who are all previously development squad and First XV players.
- U21 players look up to the All Blacks.
At each stage there is an opportunity for a higher-grade player to help a lower-grade player improve and level up. This is a fantastic model for encouraging new players to push for the next level. Players can clearly see what they need to do to reach the next stage and can seek advice and mentorship from those playing at a higher level.
It also provides New Zealand with an exceptionally sustainable high level athlete pool to select from. When U18 players age out New Zealand has a strong competitive group of junior players ready to take their place and keep New Zealand in the top percentage of Rugby playing nations.
Interestingly, this pyramid of performance can also be understood in Christian discipleship. At the top of the pyramid is Jesus, the ultimate example of what a Christian is to be (1 Peter chapter 2, verse 21-25). The levels below Jesus are represented by our relationship with Jesus. Mentorship within the church helps us to grow in our relationship with God (Proverbs 27, verse 17).
A new Christian is often brought alongside other Christian who are new to faith, in a small group run by someone who has developed a deeper understanding of God through the scriptures. The leader of a small group is then mentored by older Christians with more life experience and again a deeper understanding of the Bible and better equipped to support and answer the questions of younger Christians (Romans 15:14).
The beauty in Christianity is the world has already been won for us. We do not need to work our way to faith, we do not have to memorise all scriptures in order to walk through heavens gates. But the power of mentorship and desiring to go deeper in your understanding of God’s word nourishes your soul and helps you stand firmly in Christ through all stages of life (1 Peter chapter 5, verse 2-32 and Proverbs chapter 9, verse 9)
Mhairi-Bronté Duncan plays Curling for New Zealand and uses her experiences as an athlete to inspire her writing.