Rowing New Zealand is pleased to welcome two new staff members to the team, strengthening our capability across community rowing and future-focused partnerships.

Loretta Herrera joins the Rowing New Zealand office as our Community and Schools Rowing Coordinator, covering Rebecca Milicich while she is on maternity leave.

Loretta brings more than a decade of experience across sport and education, having worked as a Physical Education teacher, Head of Year, and Sport & Fixtures Coordinator in schools in the UK and Australia. Through these roles, she has organised interschool competitions and major school sporting events, while working closely with students, staff, and external organisations to grow participation and deliver quality experiences.

More recently, Loretta has built strong organisational and administrative expertise through roles in office management and systems coordination. Combined with her passion for community sport and participation pathways, she will be a valuable addition to the team.

Based in Cambridge and starting this week, Loretta will work closely with the Sport Development team to support community and school rowing initiatives, including RNZ regattas, stakeholder relationships with clubs, schools and associations.

We are also delighted to confirm the appointment of Michelle Crook to the newly created role of Philanthropy and Commercial Partnerships Manager, following a thorough recruitment process.

Michelle is an experienced fundraiser with a strong background in philanthropy, capital raising for community projects, not-for-profit governance, and marketing and business development. In 2021, she was recognised with a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for her outstanding service to the community, reflecting her success in delivering impactful fundraising initiatives across a wide range of causes.

Michelle will work closely with Rowing New Zealand and the NZ Rowing Foundation to grow new opportunities to support the future of the sport, including the development of a gRowing Supporters Club - a community of people committed to the ongoing success of rowing in New Zealand.

Michelle will formally begin in the role on 28 April and is currently relocating from Whangamatā to Cambridge. She has already spent time connecting with the team and will attend the Maadi Regatta, providing an opportunity to engage with the wider rowing community during the largest secondary school sporting event in the Southern Hemisphere.

This role is a 0.75 FTE position, with a strong focus on building relationships with existing and prospective supporters and partners across New Zealand.

We look forward to the contribution both Loretta and Michelle will make as we continue to support and grow rowing across Aotearoa.