19 Apr, 2026

Allan Carson

  • Head of Sport / Head of Hockey
Cricket, Hockey Director of Sport

Personal Summary

I am a dedicated sports administrator and high-performance coach with a deep-rooted passion for developing people and building thriving environments. At the core of my professional philosophy is the fundamental importance of connection and community. I believe that sport is a uniquely powerful vehicle for human growth, and I am driven by a desire to empower individuals to reach their full potential, both on and off the field.

My career has been a journey of continuous growth, evolving from hands-on educational delivery and course leadership into executive management and strategic directorship. Throughout this progression, I have developed strong capabilities in organisational governance, managing complex operating budgets, and leading large-scale sports programmes that serve hundreds of students and athletes. I pride myself on my ability to lead, support, and unite diverse teams of staff and volunteers toward a shared vision.

Alongside my executive and administrative roles, I have always maintained a strong commitment to volunteering within the sporting community. Whether managing grassroots community football programs, organising senior trials, or serving as a high-performance hockey coach, I deeply value the opportunity to give back and foster a sense of belonging among athletes, parents, and supporters.

I am an empathetic, strategic, and community-focused leader who cares deeply about the people I work with. As I look toward my next professional challenge, I am eager to bring my experience in sports management, governance, and my unwavering commitment to community building to a team that shares these values.

Work Experience

Director of Sport
Aug 2024 - Apr 2026 Rongotai College

As the Director of Sport at Rongotai College, I am responsible for leading, managing, and enhancing the school’s sporting programmes and the people involved in them.

Strategic Leadership & Planning

Develop a strategic plan in consultation with the Senior Management and Leadership Team (SMLT) and create a yearly operations plan.
Review progress every twice annually and report directly to the Principal.

Administration & Resource Management

Coordinate team entries and logistics (travel, food, accommodation, etc) for local, regional, and national competitions.
Prepare and manage the sports budget, ensuring funds are allocated according to established criteria and that accurate records are maintained.
Oversee the inventory, storage, maintenance, and distribution of school sports uniforms and maintain an equipment maintenance schedule.

Personnel & Student Management

Recruit and appoint department staff and coaches and managers for all sports teams.
Ensure all external coaches and managers undergo necessary police vetting.
Establish working frameworks with Teachers-in-Charge (TICs) and Code Coordinators (CCs) for all sports codes.

Communication & Public Relations

Manage and keep the school website and social media pages updated.
The primary contact for Regional Sports Directors (RSD), local media, and community sports organisations.
Collect results and ensure student successes are celebrated in assemblies, newsletters, and the local press.
Attend parent meetings when required and deal with parental requests promptly.

Health, Safety & Training

Develop and run training programmes and seminars for coaches, officials, and student leaders.
Manage the safety of all participants by establishing RAMS (Risk Analysis and Management Systems) forms and permission slips.
Provide all coaches with injury prevention information and ensure first aid supplies are readily available and maintained.

Marketing & Community Involvement

Coordinate sponsorship funds for our programmes.
Apply to charitable trusts for funding and complete all necessary reporting by the required deadlines.
Build links with community sports clubs to access facilities or provide opportunities for students that cannot be catered for within the school.
Executive Officer, Advanced Training
Mar 2023 - Aug 2024 Royal Australasian College of Physicians

Provided full secretariat support to specialist physician training committees in a complex governance-based workplace. Responsibilities included scheduling meetings, drafting agendas, taking accurate minutes, tracking action items.

Course Lead - Level 5 Diploma in Sport, Recreation, and Exercise
Feb 2022 - Mar 2023 New Zealand Institute of Sport

Management, including full creation & delivery of all content, of New Zealand Institute of Sport’s Level 5 Diploma in Sport, Recreation, and Exercise.

Community Hockey Manager
Mar 2020 - Feb 2022 Otago Hockey Association

Design, facilitation, and delivery of Development and Education programmes at Regional Sporting Organisation level for all participants - players, coaches, and officials.

Administration of various competitions/tournaments, including designing participation-based programmes leading into events.

Teacher Aide
Mar 2019 - Mar 2020 Kingslea School

Provided one-on-one Teacher Aide support to students in a Ministry for Children residential school

Junior Club Head Coach (volunteer)
Jan 2024 - Dec 2024 Hutt United Hockey Club

Developed a full-season training programme for the Junior Club (ages 5-12).

Created and led coach development sessions for coaches to upskill alongside players.

Performance Hockey Coach (volunteer)
Apr 2022 - Apr 2026 Wellington Hockey Association

Wellington Hockey Representative Coach of the Year 2025.

Wellington Women's 2nd Team - Assistant Coach, 2025.

U18 Women's Team - Head Coach, 2025 (4th in National Tournament).

Wellington U18 Academy Coach, 2023-present.

Wellington U16 Girls - Head Coach, 2023 (1st in Provincial Tournament)

Wellington U15 Boys - Coaching Lead, 2022-2023.

Committee Executive (volunteer)
Oct 2018 - Oct 2021 Otago University Hockey Club

Club President: October 2019 - October 2021

Club Coordiantor: October 2018 - October 2019

Premier Women’s Head Coach (volunteer)
Oct 2018 - Oct 2021 Otago University Hockey Club

Head coach of the University’s premier women’s team. 

Education

Bachelor of Science, Major in Sport and Exercise Science, Minor in Sport Development and Management
Feb 2017 - Dec 2019 University of Otago