Jane Sharman
Jane has lived in Wanaka since 2016, although has been visiting her whole life, and has always had a passion for sports and events. Jane has a wealth of event management experience, including working on the iconic Warbirds Over Wanaka, setting up Relay for Life in Wanaka and Wanaka parkrun. She loves to give back to the local community and has held various positions on Trusts and Committees.
Jane participated in the Integrity Homes Challenge Wanaka Half in 2023 and so has great insight into what the event is like from an athlete’s perspective.
“I am passionate about Challenge and what it means for our community. I love the inclusivity of Challenge – ranging from the pro athletes to the primary children and even pre-schoolers. The recent addition of the Adaptive event and the Cross Tri mean that nearly anyone can take part. I’m looking forward to exploring new ways to further develop Challenge Wanaka in our community.”
Email [email protected]
Sarah Searle
Sarah has been involved with Challenge Wanaka since 2009. From 2009 – 2018 as a volunteer and then for the past five years as the Volunteer Manager. Sarah loves the enthusiasm, positivity and energy that volunteers bring to Challenge Wanaka. They are the heart and soul of the event.
With more than 20 years of experience in the events industry, Sarah has a real passion for events, sport and the local community. Sarah’s event consultancy business – red polka dot events, thrives on providing support and guidance to local businesses and organisations to help plan and deliver their corporate and special events.
Sarah’s son Oscar is a familiar face amongst the volunteer crew at Challenge Wanaka and has been volunteering since he was 6 years old.
Email [email protected]
Marion Buggins
Marion has a passion for sports, media and triathlon. She has taken part in a number of triathlons and running events and loves getting other people involved in sports too!
She has worked in the events industry for over 20 years, predominantly in the UK, but moved over to New Zealand in 2021.
She has been part of the Challenge Wanaka team for just over two years!
Email: [email protected]
Sheree Sloan
Blending a passion for the outdoors with over fifteen years expertise in Marketing, PR and Event Management, Sheree has extensive experience in managing international marketing strategies for global outdoor brands, and excels at managing comprehensive campaigns across various channels.
Having actively participated in a number of marathons, trail running, mountain biking and cycling events as well as triathlons, Sheree brings firsthand passion and understanding to her role in promoting Challenge Wānaka as a premier destination event for endurance sports enthusiasts.
Email: [email protected]
Tim David
Tim has competed as a runner, a rower and a mountain bike racer though his true passion is the sport of biathlon – cross country skiing and shooting. While serving in the Royal Marines, Tim raced internationally and was GB team manager at the 1998 Nagano Olympics.
Since moving to Wanaka in 2015, he (and his two daughters) have competed at Challenge Wanaka, worked on multiple major local events and spent six years on the Bike Wanaka committee. He brings his organisational experience and pragmatic outlook to the operations manager role.
Email: [email protected]
Colleen Nisbet
Colleen brings over 25 years’ experience in the event industry across Australia and New Zealand, having worked with major brands like Audi, Lexus, Microsoft, Caterpillar, Komatsu and Kenworth. Her true passion, however, lies in local community sport.
Since relocating from Sydney to Wānaka in 2016, Colleen has thrown herself into volunteering with Challenge Wānaka, Motatapu, and Gymnastics NZ Nationals. Giving back is at her core.
In Wānaka, she helped establish Wheels at Wānaka and has worked with Warbirds Over Wānaka and Winter Games NZ. An avid long-distance runner, mountain biker, swimmer and skier, she even dabbled in triathlon back in the fluro ‘90s.
Email: [email protected]
Marianna Champion
Marianna has worked with schools and young people for over 20 years. She has always enjoyed helping people to see what they can achieve through outdoor adventure/sport and how they can transfer these skills in everyday life.
With a move back to New Zealand in 2021 from England (where she worked at a large outdoor centre), her involvement with Challenge Wanaka started with assisting Sarah with the amazing volunteers of challenge. She then made a natural transition over to the Junior and Intermediate Challenge and is finding this role very rewarding as she can once again help young people realise what they are capable of.
With a passion for the outdoor and sports, Wanaka and its surrounding is the perfect place to call home.
Email: [email protected]