This position requires a diverse skills set due to the wide range of operations a leader in a dynamic developing sports team must complete. From arranging data sets of results on excel and raising funds for equipment, to recruiting new athletes and fixing boats, this role has expanded my experience of leadership. The team in this year achieved the best results in the clubs history, and without coaches meant a lot of responsibilities fell on the leadership team to keep the club afloat. Notably this meant great emphasis on people skills, in order to encourage students with already busy schedules to take up this time consuming sport. I feel I improved on my time management whilst being able to create a flexible training program for the club, allowing for the biggest buy-in from our students through making their time worthwhile. This has definitely been the most diverse roles I have been in, with experiences gained in raising significant funds for purchasing boats, team management, working with logistics such as team bookings for various tours, fixing and purchasing various pieces of equipment, forming training schedules for a range of different teams, and working with significant sets of data on excel, all whilst training and studying as a student-athlete. With this being my most diverse and intense role, I also greatly feel it is the most rewarding and enjoyable, as I feel the busier I am, the more I get done, and the more satisfaction is felt as a result!

8.3.12 The Vice-Chairperson of USSA-R Regattas shall have the following duties:(i) to work with the host institutions of both USSA-R Sprints and USSA-R Boat Race and to oversee the organisation and preparation; to continuously inform the Executive Committee and ordinary members about tournaments and changes thereof;(ii) to write a tournament’s report and ensure that it is sent to the National Secretariat of USSA;(iii) keep a record of all the results of the USSA-R Sprints and USSA-R Boat Race;(iv) to assist the Chairperson with any and all duties which they require; and(v) to implement the requirements of a hosting service level agreement between the Association and host institutions of USSA-R Sprints andUSSA-R Boat Race.

As a Student Representative of one of the highest ranked universities in Africa, the challenges that come with the position are naturally diverse and complex. Serving on the Executive Committee means a regular meetings to discuss significant issues the university is taking, recommending actions and setting agendas for the extended Students Representative council. It also means regular meetings with various institutional bodies such as the rectorate, and the department of student affairs. Through the international portfolio I act as the liaison between the universities international department and the student body, assisting with registration, student issues and the communication of relevant information. This role ultimately has aided in my leadership capabilities, and has built my confidence in addressing big crowds and significant figures on sensitive issues. I feel my leadership capabilities have grown enormously and that I am able to deal with a wide range of people with various issues seamlessly with the suitable attention and response to each situation. I feel comfortable in a position of executive leadership and have gained a greater understanding of complex institutions such as the university through this experience.

In a residence of 1000 students I was voted as the Vice-Primarius which meant I became a head of house and took up the internationals and culture portfolios. As a head of house I was responsible for around 250 students well-being, assisting with various accomodation issues, as well as planning events and encouraging participation within the greater residence and university community. In the international portfolio I was responsible for assisting the international exchange students and making them feel a part of the community. This meant planning events and helping the international students settle in. As the culture portfolio holder, I was previously not too experience in this area, yet helped numerous students participate in various cultural events, such as performance arts and numerous talent shows. Ultimately, this role expanded my leadership skills from my previous leadership experience in sports clubs, allowing me to learn how to lead big groups of people and encourage mass participation. This position provided the skills and confidence for me to be able to apply for the Students Representative Council, and inspired me to take up the international portfolio there.

As a block leader I was responsible for planning events within my residence as well as assisting the people leaving in my area.