Julie Blake has been the High Performance Manager at Bowls New Zealand since 2021 …three-and-a-half years or so. Long enough for her to feel like she’s no longer the newby on the job.
That’s important. Because that ‘time in the job’ has almost certainly been key to doing the job well.
“Sure the job’s a lot about organising and managing this, that and the other,” explains Julie. “But more importantly it’s about gaining mutual respect with the high performance group … so that they come to have trust in you and you in them … they have confidence in you and you in them … and they can rely on you and you on them.”
That trust, confidence and reliability doesn’t happen overnight.
“When I was appointed,” says Julie, “The whispers were ‘who’s Julie Blake?’ And rightly so. I was Centre Manager at Bowls Waikato in a role that was purely administrative … getting the back office in shape. I’d never really played bowls, other than the odd twilight social night.”
But recruiters Mark Cameron and his team saw more in Julie than just a potential mother hen. Or a camp mother. Or a gopher for the high performance group.
And they weren’t wrong.
“Doing all the basics is important,” says Julie. “But as John Quinn, our Mental Skills and Wellbeing Director, reminds us, it’s about the extra 1% … doing that little bit more to provide that team support.”
“A good example of that was the World Championships on the Gold Coast in 2023.”
“Unbeknownst to the team, I contacted all the families of the athletes prior to departure and asked them to send me a couple of meaningful photos and a video with their best wishes. The night before the World Champs began, we joined together as a team and enjoyed the impromptu care packages. It wasn’t an Oscar-worthy piece, but it was heart-felt and genuine. And the athletes knew they had the support of their family, their friends, their bowling club and the wider bowls community. It was a really lovely way to unify the team before the event.”
“I loved Birmingham (in 2022, for the Commonwealth Games). It was my first pinnacle event so I had a lot to learn. Having said that, it’s slightly ‘easier’ at the Comm Games … you have the on-ground support of all the NZOC team. If you don’t know something, you’re encouraged to ask. They are an amazing group to work with. At the World Champs, it’s a different kettle of fish … - you’re on your own.”
“But the athletes themselves make it easier. I find that athletes who are essentially amateur tend to be far more grateful than their professional counterparts in other sports. They’re genuinely appreciative of everything you do. And it’s natural to reciprocate.”
“It’s probably fair to say that I understand people much better now, and how to get the best out of them. They probably know how to get the best out of me now too!”
Nonetheless, at the age of 43, the learning for Julie is still continuing.
“Mark (Cameron) encouraged me to apply for the Women in High Performance Residency Experience, where women from other sports are sharing their experiences and knowledge. It’s a pilot designed by HPSNZ to help women bridge the gap between development programmes and leadership and coaching roles.”
“We saw Julie’s involvement in the Residency Experience as a ‘win-win’ partnership for Bowls and HPSNZ,” says Helene Wilson, Women in High Performance Sport Lead at HPSNZ. “While we could provide the forums for cross sport learning and individual growth for Julie, women across all high performance sport could grow from her expertise as well.”
“It’s been fantastic. I’m already bringing a lot of back to bowls from other sports. And I like to think I have been helpful to those on the programme in other sports.”
“The best thing about being in this group is the extension of support that we provide each other. It’s a group where I feel comfortable to ask for advice around policy wording, or accommodation contacts or simply just to bounce ideas off each other. Nine times out of ten, one of us has experienced something similar so we throw a question or issue that we are facing out into the group chat or Teams call, and there is always someone who can help.”
“It’s a wonderful support system that I am grateful to be a part of.”
“I have the pleasure working one on one with Julie as she navigates the challenges of growing her leadership skillset for high performance,” adds Helene. “I’m enjoying seeing Julie step into her ‘x-factor’ ability of connecting with people to ensure that her contribution to performance enables them to perform at their potential.”
Julie is loving the Residency Experience and she is the type of person that strikes while the irons are hot.
“I’ve made the most of opportunities as they’ve come along. In 2014, I travelled to India with the Northern Knights (cricket team) to compete in the Champions League T20. A month long challenge in itself considering there were 12 teams with 25+ people and I was the only female amongst the entire lot! More recently at the Bowls Waikato Centre when (late) Glenn Lee gave me free reign to manage the Centre administration.”
She’s the sort of person that turns ‘just a job’ into a passionate calling … powered by her infectious cheeriness and enthusiasm.
“I like putting my hand up. I’ve always been a volunteer … and to be honest I can be a little impatient with people who are quick to complain, but much slower to help.”
The high performance group almost certainly love that about her!
Keep up the good work Julie.