leadership team
Hockey Development Team
Michelle Bentham
Interim Chief Executive
Born and spent my early childhood in Wellington before my family moved to Palmerston North. Sports were always a big part of my upbringing and I excelled at swimming, becoming an age group representative.
After school I did an OE where I spent time in Africa, and Europe before coming back to NZ and moving to Auckland. I’ve worked as a business consultant and advisor for over 20 years and coupled with my love for hockey I was appointed to the North Harbour Hockey board 3 years ago.
It’s been a privilege being the Chief Executive for the last 6 months. I love that no two days are ever the same and see the most important part of my role is creating an environment that inspires the next generation.
Outside of work my life revolves around my four children and family and you’ll often see me standing on the sideline being a cheerleader. Whenever possible I love doing a bit of DIY or gardening. My happy place is Kai iwi Lakes where we visit every summer with a great group of friends and I love disconnecting from the bustle of modern life.
Alastair Wright
Chief Financial Officer
Originally from the north of England, I have been in New Zealand for 6 years with my wife and 2 boys.
I have only ever played one hockey game, many, many, years ago at university when my housemate’s thirds team was short a few players. I had fun but it didn’t end well!
Outside of work, I spend my time chasing round after my kids, taking them to hockey, swimming, water polo, jujitsu. If I get some time to myself, I can be found outside, sailing, tramping, or trying to hit a ball over a net or into a hole.
Interesting fact? How about a shameless plug instead! Just over a year ago, I set up Escapologist, an escape room business on Rosedale Road. If you’ve not been yet you should go, it’s easily the best in Auckland and I’m not biased at all.
Brenda Hosking
NHC Venue Manager
Brenda is responsible for the National Hockey Centre Venue. She is a master of all trades doing everything from liaising with corporates partners, to creating events, and managing the Bar and Café team.
Harley Kopa
Property Maintenance Manager
I started playing hockey in the Bay of Plenty when I was 7 because the girl I liked played hockey, and my love for the game was born. I moved up to North Harbour when I was 18 and have played here ever since.
I became a weekend coordinator in 2011 and started some coaching not long after, coaching in-school and goalkeeper coaching with representative academies. In 2013 I started doing some groundkeeper work and that became my main role alongside my coaching for several years.
In 2019 I took the opportunity to work closer to home and became the caretaker at my kids school. I was lucky enough to spend 5 years seeing them every day and watching them grow through their early years. I continued my coaching through this time and have enjoyed watching my students progress on to regional, national and international careers. In 2023, my girls moved on from their school and I jumped at the opportunity to return to North Harbour in the Property Maintenance Manager role. I have loved returning to the Harbour family and all the familiar faces that I have missed seeing regularly over the last few years.When I’m not at the turf I love hanging with my family and tinkering on odd jobs at home on our lifestyle block.
Debbie Johnson
Accounts & Rep Admin Officer
I started with NHHA in March 2022 as the Accounts & Rep Admin Officer. My 30 hours per week role comprises of booking travel arrangements for the rep teams, assisting with budgets, payroll for Coaches, Umpires and Competition staff along with a variety of day to day account reconciliations.
I enjoy being able to draw on my 15+ year’s experience of working in Corporate, Retail and Wholesale travel, as well as on the sporting side having worked at a local Community Leisure Centre.
At home I’m a proud wife and mother of three who loves getting out on the water for a spot of fishing, swimming or kayaking. I’m a regular at my local gym and an avid bike rider. My family have always been involved in sport and exercise and I can’t rule out picking up a hockey stick again in the future socially. It would be great to meet more people from the hockey community, so please stop by to say hello and introduce yourself.
management accountant
Chinmay Bhagvagar
Role TBC
facilities team
Jayvant Dhanjee
Competitions Manager
Born and bred in the mighty Bay of Plenty, I often found myself up against the boys in Maroon. These matches always showcased the love and skill for the game, and I was always impressed with what Harbour had to bring.
In 2018 I was lucky enough to join the Harbour team, recently moving into the role of Competitions Manager at the end of 2022. Working closely with Clubs administrators, School TICs and volunteers has allowed me to appreciate the positive impacts the Harbour community has on our sport.
The saying “Home of Harbour Hockey” hits real. Like many of our Harbour members the world outside of hockey is hard to find. However, I enjoy keeping active and over the past few years, I have hobbled my way through some 21km, 40km and 50km events. I also I enjoy supporting other sporting competitions around world.
Nicolene van der Merwe
Competitions and Admin Officer
Along with most people on the shore... I am originally from South Africa, and I moved to New Zealand in 2017. With a sports events background in various sports from mountain biking to Ultimate Frisbee. I joined the Harbour family at the end of 2022 as the Competitions and Admin Officer. I am not a hockey player however my time at Harbour has not only taught me about hockey but I have also been able to flex my creative muscles with our social media pages and website.
Any time spent away from hockey draws, you can usually find me with my family which consists of my partner, a grumpy cat and a very happy dog named Espresso. We love exploring the beautiful trails and beaches around Auckland/New Zealand. And if there’s any free time beyond that you may find me upcycling a piece of furniture.
accounts team
Sheree Scown
Head of National Hockey Centre
I was born in New Zealand and grew up on a dairy farm before moving to Australia at the age of 11. I came back to live in NZ when I was 18 to attend university. I started working at North Harbour Hockey in 2016 as the Operations Manager, where I was heavily involved in the competitions and tournament space. In 2022, my role transitioned to facility management, and I am now Head of NHC.
Learning all the ins and outs of our new facility hasn’t been straight forward, however when I am faced with challenges, I always remind myself of the many improvements and efficiencies we have gained with our new location. No flooded turfs, LED lights that can turn off and on via an app, being able to water a turf in 5 mins and two turfs at one time, the list goes on.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and supporting my kids in their sports activities. During the summer, we love heading to our family bach in Whangamata. A fun fact about me is, that this year I gave birth to my daughter on my birthday, at the same hospital where I was born 35 years earlier—not exactly the relaxing birthday I had planned!
James Coughlan
Head of Hockey
I’m a North Harbour Home Grown boy who started his hockey journey at Sunnybrae Primary School. I then went on to Glenfield Intermediate and Westlake Boys High School. Not originally from a hockey family I played many sports as a kid with cricket and hockey being the two that I eventually excelled in, with hockey taking over as I made my NZ debut in 2010.
I started working at North Harbour Hockey late in 2016 as the Talent Development Officer. This was the role which I held to 2022 before moving into the Head of Hockey position. 2024 marks my 8th year working full time with North Harbour and it has been amazing to see so many talented players, coaches, umpires, schools, clubs and rep teams achieved success over this period.
As much as community sport never sleeps, outside of hockey I’m a sport nut and enjoy watching and supporting various sports teams. Since I no longer play as much hockey as I used to, I have recently got into golf and this is something that I try and get in once or twice a week
carey wessels
Participation Manager
I am a born and bred Capetonian, having lived in South Africa for 33 years. Coming from a sporting family, it’s no surprise that I’ve eventually found myself in a sporting role. Since joining Harbour in 2022, I haven’t looked back. Getting to know this community has been incredibly rewarding and I look forward to continuing my role as Participation Manager.
Six years ago, my family faced the incredibly tough decision of whether to stay or leave. Three months later, visa in hand my husband came to NZ while my two girls and I packed up our lives, said goodbye to family and friends and embarked on a journey across the globe.
Like many Harbour members and my co-workers, Harbour has become my home away from home. When the winter hockey season ends and the sun comes out, I enjoy a good Saffa braai, heading to the beach and camping which is becoming a favourite family activity. Even better are the days when we can pile the kids into the car, pack the boat and spend all day on the skis, wakeboard and biscuit!
Pathway Role
Coming soon
Pathway role coming soon.
