NZWP Staff
Jan Shearer - Chief Executive
021 029 72930
Jan worked for 20 years as a mechanical design engineer including the Dunedin Public Hospital and Auckland Starship, followed by projects in the dairy and food manufacturing industry, and also as a design consultant for Beca Engineering.
Alongside her engineering work, Jan enjoyed a career as an athlete in yachting. She represented New Zealand at 3 Olympic Games in the 470 Class, winning a Silver Medal in 1992 and gaining a World Match Racing title, along with multiple national and international podium finishes. Jan brought up her two children while working and competing, the family then moved overseas for 5+ years, based mostly in Europe due to her husband competing in multiple America’s Cups. Her daughter represented NZ at the 2016 Olympic Games finishing 4th.
On return to New Zealand in 2010 Jan took up sports administration. Firstly joining Tennis NZ as a Board member (2011 – 2014) and High Performance Advisor, then working for 5 years as their Head of Performance (2012 – 2017). Jan then spent 3 years as CEO for Snow Sports NZ (2017 - 2020), she also has commentated for TVNZ and Team NZ VIP’s during multiple Americas Cups.
She joined New Zealand Water Polo in 2021 and is Board Chair of Canoe Racing NZ (2017 – present). Her current interests include skiing, hiking, golf and following sports.
Polly Powrie - High Performance Manager
Polly’s has worked for Canoe Racing NZ where she was Operations Manager and Team Manager during the Tokyo Olympics.
Polly played water polo at secondary school and went on to become an Olympic sailor winning a gold (2012) and silver (2016) medal.
Polly has a passion for performance and an eye for detail.
On a personal level, Polly has two young daughters and enjoys participating in water sports whenever she can.
Polly will be supported in her leadership role through the HPSNZ Residency Programme.
Leonie Phillips - Community Competitions Manager
Age Group Club and School Competitions, FlippaBall
competitions@nzwaterpolo.org.nz
027 4545 184
Blake Taylor - National Competitions Manager
National League, Premier League & Masters
Blake has worked in Event Management for 15 years including working 7 years at Tennis NZ and running events from first-time experiences to international professional tournaments. He recently worked at a country-club style club in Melbourne while still running events, and upon returning to NZ, will also be working again with the ASB Classic Tennis in January as their Volunteer Manager and Event Coordinator.
Blake has an in-depth understanding of event delivery and has a holistic overview approach when it comes to building event schedules/calendars, considering training loads and other factors that impact athletes.
Blake joins NZWP on a part time contract working on various projects and events.
