Darren Smith Email and Phone Number

- Design, evolution, and successful implementation of Softball New Zealand’s High Performance Strategy;- Implementation of this plan across a talented and professional team of coaches, athletes, and staff which operate our national network and extensive stakeholder group;- Leading Softball New Zealand’s high performance system responsible for the delivery of its high performance programme across elite and pathway levels;- Leading all three programmes under both gender formats of Black Sox and White Sox, Senior, Junior, and Development programmes. - Designed to support coach and athlete performances and results through effective delivery, developed in cooperation with the relevant national head coaching staff and key partners to achieve Softball New Zealand’s vision of success.

Key tasks include:• Head Coach to National Senior Squad - leading all on and off pitch activities;• Manage the professional support surrounding the national team including sport science, sports medicine, performance analyst, mental skills, performance nutritionist and lifestyle support team;• Develop and manage the overall programme, budget and staff of the senior squad; • Support the development of the programmes for all high performance squads in conjunction with 
the respective coaches;• Develop a transparent selection process to be used for all future national squad selections, including the creation of a selection panel; • Encourage alignment of all age-group programmes with the national programme; • Develop Irish coaches through direct involvement with the national team, workshops and structured feedback; • Create and implement a high performance strategy for elite players and coaches; • Play a key role in the submission of government funding agency applications 
across both men’s and women’s programmes in Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (including presenting to the Irish Sports Council on behalf of both teams); • Build positive working relationships between four provincial associations and two countries (Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland); • Sit on the High Performance Committee for Ireland Hockey; and• Report effectively to stakeholders within Ireland Hockey.

Key tasks included:• Performance analysis using SportsCode; • Lead role: Defensive structure and coaching; • Lead role: Ball possession structure and coaching; • Lead role: Set plays routines and coaching; • Lead role: Opposition analysis; • Planning • Coach mentoring with National Hockey League coaches; • Information sharing with regional associations to encourage alignment with the national team and create awareness of international trends; and• Supporting and enhancing development of team culture.

Key tasks included:• Creation and implementation of a high performance strategy for elite players and coaches; • Development of the Midlands brand and culture; • Overseeing the performance of the under 21 and National Hockey League teams; • Building positive working relationships between five provincial associations; • Managing coaching, sport science and logistics staff for U13, U16, U18, U21 and senior squads; • Reporting to stakeholders within the Midlands region; • Head Coach Midlands Men - 2007 to 2011; and • Head Coach Midlands U21 Women – 2008 to 2009