Making her mark as administrator
talks to a powerhouse behind the scenes. ‘‘I love watching other kids playing sport and getting better.’’
Kathy Bryant is your classic unsung hero.
Over the past 20 years or so, she has worked tirelessly behind the scenes both for Naenae College and the Hutt Waterpolo Club.
A former Naenae College student, she was a keen sportsperson.
Her proudest sporting achievement was a 50 she scored at Fraser Park for the Naenae Cricket Club, but it would be in administration that she would make her mark.
When her oldest son, Matt, started at Naenae College and wanted to play cricket, her husband, Dean, stopped playing and became the school coach.
When their second son, Sean, went to Naenae, Bryant helped with the coaching and became aware that the school did not have a waterpolo team.
‘‘They had not had a team for many years so I got a team together and they have had one ever since.’’
Waterpolo is not a sport you would necessarily associate with Naenae and Bryant has put a lot of effort in to keep it going.
Organising practices and gear and fundraising has all been on her brief.
She has also been involved with schoolboy rugby.
When a lack of players meant Naenae had to combine with Taita College, Bryant made sure the Naenae kids turned up by providing transport.
It is with the Hutt Waterpolo Club that she has made her biggest contribution.
Her sons were keen swimmers and when some of their friends starting playing waterpolo, they followed suit.
Always one to help out, she became an administrator for the club.
For the past decade she has been treasurer and helped run the highly successful junior school competition at the Naenae Pool.
She’s also done the draw and been the pool controller.
Her two sons recently helped New Zealand beat China.
Knowing that Naenae College produced two international waterpolo players is a great source of pride.
It is their success and seeing kids flourish in sport that motivated her.
‘‘Originally I started because I loved seeing my kids play sport. Now I love watching other kids playing sport and getting better.’’
Her mantra is that sport could play a big role in the positive development of children. She believed young people who were committed to sport were far less likely to get into trouble.
Hutt Waterpolo Club member Cheryl McGuiness said Bryant is one of the reasons the club has done so well.
‘‘She is just amazing, she is so efficient and absolutely prepared to put her hand to anything.’’