Tasha Davie
Publish Date: Tuesday, 12 January 2021
Tasha Davie

New Zealand Certificate in Sport Coaching (Level 3) graduate

#SIT2LRN #Sports Coaching #Graduate Profile

SIT2LRN is helping former New Zealand rugby league representative Tasha Davie give back to the sport she loves and create new opportunities for young women.

Tasha started studying towards a New Zealand Certificate in Sport Coaching (Level 3) in May 2019, the flexible nature of SIT2LRN helping her fit her studies around a busy life as a mum and volunteer coach in several codes.

The fact the certificate was a recognised NZQA qualification and could be applied practically to her coaching was also a big incentive, she said.

“It was a recognised NZQA qualification that could enhance my knowledge of coaching for all sports fields that I’m involved with,” she said.

“This course suited my end goal and my time management.”

Tasha brings plenty of playing experience to her coaching, having played rugby league for more than 20 years.

Playing out of the Richmond Rovers Rugby League club in Auckland’s Grey Lynn, she represented Auckland/Akarana in several national tournaments and went on  to play for New Zealand at three World Cups, along with Anzac tests against Australia’s Jillaroos, and the Auckland Nines.
 
“I’ve also played tag for New Zealand, winning a World Cup in 2012. In 2014 I started playing rugby sevens for Auckland Storm at the ripe old age of 38. I have also played representative touch rugby  for North Harbour, winning numerous championships and being selected for the NZ Open Women's Touch Team in 2004.”

Tasha first got into coaching helping out with her son’s rugby league team and her daughter’s tag team. For the past four years she’s coached under-16 youth girls at her beloved Richmond club, as well as Auckland representative girls teams, high school girls teams at the Condor Sevens and was an assistant coach for the Akarana Premier women’s team that just competed in the national grand final.

Her love of coaching was cemented when she initiated an all-girls  Youth Rugby League competition in Auckland.

“For me to get this off the ground and help grow the women's game I had to invest in this space and help by coaching a team,” she said.

“I really enjoy seeing growth in each individual athlete. Whether it is a skill that they can execute  better, or a skill they could not do prior to me coaching. It’s also about giving an individual the ‘tools’ to become a better version of themselves, on and off the field. It's very humbling to see a young person achieve ‘greatness’ in sport and in life.”

It comes as no surprise that she is passionate about creating opportunities for girls and young women to achieve through sport.

“There is so much more on offer for female athletes now, by being able to make a career out of their chosen sport. So, for me, being able to give these athletes the right tools to be able to be successful in their chosen sport is a huge success in my eyes,” Tasha said.

“In my career we had to pay for every World Cup and tour we had representing our country. Now these ladies can make this their full-time job, and with these opportunities it
is only going to grow the talent and the standard of women's sport in New Zealand, and that is something I want to be a part of and thanks to SIT2LRN, I’m doing that.”