Sport Canterbury's Timaru based team is delighted to welcome two new members to the South Canterbury office: Nicole Irvine, promoting health and wellness as a Healthy Lifestyle Advisor, and Ella Horgan, the new Events & Admin Coordinator.

In pursuit of fresh and familiar horizons, Nicole started on her Sport Canterbury journey in late July, leaving Dunedin behind for a new opportunity in Green Prescription back home in South Canterbury.

From day one, Nicole has been loving the vibrant atmosphere and diversity at Sport Canterbury. The camaraderie among her colleagues immediately made her feel at home, with her role keeping her engaged and motivated.

Nicole's daily duties are shaped around community wellness, reviewing referrals, and reaching out to existing Green Prescription clients; Nicole ensures seamless support for those on their health journey.

Nicole’s day-to-day focuses on wellbeing, setting goals, and crafting personalised plans for new and existing clients, whilst also leading the 'Be Active' groups.

With a great deal of experience, including roles at Sport Otago's Green Prescription programme and F45 Dunedin, Nicole brings great passion, experience, and dedication to her role, positioning her as a vital asset in fostering a healthier South Canterbury.

Sport has always been a significant part of Ella's life.

A devoted hockey player and gym enthusiast, she embodies an active lifestyle alongside a real interest in the power of sport, being the treasurer of her local hockey club in Timaru.

Professionally Ella has experience as a team leader at South Pacific Sera Limited, where she thrived in a dynamic environment but felt she had reached her peak with processes and required a change.

Guided by glowing recommendations from a friend, Ella saw the role advertised at Sport Canterbury as the right step, having worked in a manufacturing environment for four years she felt this new change aligned with her personal values and beliefs.

A dynamic day for Ella includes diverse tasks, answering calls, event coordination, and witnessing the impact on rangatahi at Aoraki Secondary School Sports events.

Ella fuels Sport Canterbury's mission, with her passion and story a great fit to influence brighter paths to get the community leading healthy and active lifestyles.