Rowing: Hectic initiation opened door to life in fast lane

Just a glimpse from this year's Maadi Cup. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Rowing New Zealand dwarfed other sports organisations in the last Olympic cycle, hauling in eight gold, four silver and three bronze world championship medals. In just over 18 months, a 40-year-old former first-class cricketer will have major input in helping to host the country's second rowing world championships. Andrew Alderson chats to CEO Simon Peterson about what he's bringing to one of the most coveted management positions in the country:

Alderson: Simon you've had the chance to get a gauge for Rowing New Zealand's programme since joining the organisation on March 2. What's been your insight so far?

Peterson: My start coincided with trial week for the national squad. I turned up for work at 7am and there were 80 athletes in the gym, being briefed. The selectors and coaches were on the water and the athletes mixed it up between gym workouts and on-water trials. By the end of that week 30 athletes had been selected for the international programme. It was a great time to start but hectic as well.

Have you had a chance to see rowing from the grassroots up, by going to events like the Maadi Cup, rather than just at a high performance level?

I visited a couple of regattas pre-March 2 to get a feel. The biggest problem I see, which is a great one to have, is catering for the growth, particularly at an event with a profile like the Maadi Cup.

Did you have any previous involvement with rowing?

Nothing directly. In my Sport Auckland CEO role, I worked with the Auckland Rowing Association, but that was only an indirect link.

What about your time with Sport Auckland and Paralympics NZ?

The Paralympics role gave me a national overview and I went through two cycles, the Athens and Beijing campaigns as chairman, six years in total. I was able to understand the four-year cycles Olympic organisations go through from a national perspective. The Sport Auckland role was a complement to that over nine years, understanding how clubs and regional bodies operate.

Do you have a business background?

No, my emphasis has been on sport. I did the semi-professional athlete thing overseas where I worked while playing cricket in England and Wales, I even had a season in Vancouver. I was also fortunate to be sent to Harvard Business School in Boston for a week on a 'governance for non-profit organisations' course while working for the Paralympics board. That was a wonderful opportunity and it's where I've worked since.

You played first-class cricket for Auckland. You opened the batting for Papatoetoe?

Papatoetoe was the club for something like 25 years. I opened for most of that time as well as spells tinkering as an all-rounder. I batted at every position between one and seven for Auckland. I enjoyed my time but never cemented my place over an eight-year, first-class career. I also coached in the John Bracewell-Auckland unit for six years. In hindsight it was a mistake trying to do both but it was a good grounding.

The 2010 World Championships are a major focus. How are you working in with event CEO Tom Mayo and how's planning going?

RNZ is the 100 per cent shareholder in the company K2010 which is to manage the event. Tom is its CEO and I've enormous respect and confidence in his ability, especially as they work for sponsorship. We're in contact two or three times a week. We're excited about the legacy it could leave. I've been fascinated by legacies since my involvement in the Athens and Beijing Paralympic campaigns and comparing what you say you're going to do before an event to what you're left with afterwards. The 1978 world championships at Lake Karapiro are testament to that, right down to the bricks and mortar we've been working in until recently. FISA visited two weeks ago and they've approved of how we're tracking. They were complimentary to the point where they're doing away with a further inspection.

How has the recession affected the 2010 event when it comes to sponsorship?

It's too early to say but conversations have been positive and an international event can bring in sponsors beyond New Zealand. The recession is making it harder than would be the norm.

Is the CEO role more about supporting high-performance athletes or supporting the broader base to develop those athletes?

I see my role as working for athletes as a whole, not separating them into high performance or grassroots. It's the biggest challenge to connect those two. If I can align the two then I've done a good job. Too often in my Sport Auckland role I saw where national bodies had one strategic plan but there appeared to be no alignment with their regional bodies.

We had the controversy over the purchase of Italian rather than NZ-made boats with charity funds for the last Olympics. It's an issue that could have been the difference in getting the Evers-Swindell twins a gold medal. It's an administrative minefield at times?

I am aware of RNZ's recent past but I haven't been involved. . All New Zealand sporting CEOs have the same challenge with the downturn in gaming income and sponsorships.

Will you be touring with the team this year?

No. I would rather get a good handle on the business back in New Zealand so, when the next summer rolls round followed by the 2010 world champs, we're ready.

How have you found the transition to life in and around Lake Karapiro?

I finished with Sport Auckland on a Wednesday, flew to the rowing nationals in Twizel on the Thursday then got married on the Saturday in Hamilton. We had a week's honeymoon then it was my first day of work at Karapiro. Within two weeks we had moved offices about 300m down the lake.

Tell us about your dealings with head coach Dick Tonks?

I'm living by the mantra 'if it ain't half broke, don't half fix it'. I'm letting him get on with what he does best but I'll provide support.

Have you made his morning tea after an early stint on the lake?

No, but I have had a couple of chats.

What NZ rower or crew has impressed you?

Rob Waddell's achievements at Sydney were impressive. Now I'm into the role I've got a lot of respect for Don Rowlands who's in his 80s. I'm also impressed with Mahe Drysdale's current contribution.