Strategic Sporting Solutions

Hi There!

Firstly, I would like to say thank you to who ever you might be for jumping onto the website to take a look. Secondly, I know the above heading says 'A few words', which if you knew me, you would know that I like to talk and tell stories, so a little heads up - there are slightly more than 'a few words' in the 'About Us' page. A story on the other hand, about why I have founded Strategic Sporting Solutions and what I hope it can do for sport, will hopefully suffice.

Like most traditional Aussie kids, my childhood was filled with participation in community sports. I played basketball back when bloomers were apparently short until after 20 years when shin splints benched me permanently. I attempted high-school footy (which was rough as!), and took every opportunity to water ski with family on the mighty Murray River. I had a horse called Jet (black of course) and was the classic horsey girl who fought with her brother about what was better.. horses or motorbikes? - obviously, horses. In Grade 6, I was one of the youngest people to complete the Great Victorian Bike Ride, and in Year 10, I completed my Duke of Edinborough, which included obtaining my Surf Bronze Medallion, and I became a member of the Woolamai Surf Life Saving Club.

The thing is, I never at any point saw myself as a sporty kid, and I had no specific talent. Yet, I always took every opportunity to participate in a new sport, and for me, like many young people, it was about the people and friendships and feeling good for being part of something. 

Sport enriches our lives. Sport brings people together- across the globe. Sport prevents illness, and it promotes a healthy mind and spirit. It affords us the ability to believe in ourselves - we know most of this because it's scientific. Yet, sometimes, I think that for those of us who work in sports, we undervalue the genuine impact we make across communities and the opportunities we have to harness all of the knowledge and passion to enhance the power sports can have on the lives of all people in Australia. 

After a long career as a Senior Sporting Executive and most recently working as an Executive General Manager in a large sporting organisation,  I see untapped potential in sport. 

My roles and experiences have enabled me to build extensive strategic plans, work with and integrate board transformation, present at national sporting conferences, and lead 5,000+ staff and stakeholders - which included. navigating complex PR and crisis scenarios, leading improved governance and strategic direction, and managing high-risk scenarios for improved performance outcomes.

The Australian Sports Commission has bold plans for sport in our country and the challenge for service providers is keeping up with the pace of evolution. Most services in sport, aquatic, leisure, and recreation operate under a not-for-profit model or are small businesses and don’t always have the resourcing or financial capability to have sufficient support for human resources, marketing, safety, and compliance roles. Keeping up with technology and governance requirements can be tough, yet the same obligations apply - regardless of the size of the business, club, or program.

Strategic Sporting Solutions is a dedicated consultancy serving sporting organisations, swim schools, clubs, and nonprofits. We recognise the unique challenges and specific contexts these entities operate within, and we offer a broad spectrum of high-quality services at an effective price point. We understand the fast-paced, ever-changing environments and aim to work with you to plan effectively, ensure long-term sustainability, and, most importantly, to achieve your goals.

Strategic Sporting Solutions is a dedicated consultancy serving sporting organisations, swim schools, clubs, and nonprofits. We recognise the unique challenges and specific contexts these entities operate within, and we offer a broad spectrum of high-quality services at an effective price point. We understand the fast-paced, ever-changing environments and aim to work with you to plan effectively, ensure long-term sustainability, and, most importantly, to achieve your goals.

Thanks for reading & have an excellent day. 

Nicole Webster

MD - Strategic Sporting Services