Principal Paula Wells has been awarded Life Membership by School Sport New Zealand in recognition of her significant contribution to school sport across Aotearoa.

Over nine years on the School Sport New Zealand Board, including four years as Chair, Paula played a central role during a period of major organisational reform. At the 2026 Annual General Meeting, she was one of four outgoing governors acknowledged for helping guide significant change across the organisation, including governance reform, constitutional review, updated eligibility settings, membership changes and a refreshed strategic direction for secondary school sport.

A key focus of her work was the development of a strategic plan that places young people at the centre of decision-making, while strengthening the organisation’s commitment to inclusive, accessible and educationally focused sport.

“It positioned us as an organisation taking responsibility for the future of school sport in New Zealand,” Paula says. “We wanted every student to have the opportunity to wear their school colours and experience the benefits of being involved.”

She first joined the Board as the Taranaki, Whanganui and Manawatū representative before continuing as an appointed member after moving to Wellington to take up her role at Marsden. Across her tenure, she contributed to a modernised governance framework, a rewritten constitution and a full review of eligibility rules across secondary school sport.

Reflecting on this period, Paula notes the shift in the nature of governance.

“The role of governance has changed enormously,” she says. “It has moved from eligibility and competition rules to complex strategic decisions about the future of school sport.”

For Paula, that shift reflects a broader responsibility: ensuring school sport helps young people build lifelong habits of wellbeing. She believes the real value of sport lies in young people being active, connected, and engaged in healthy recreational experiences during their school years, developing positive habits that carry into adult life.

Paula sees the impact of this work most clearly during tournament weeks, when she makes a point of being present with students and seeing first-hand what this philosophy looks like beyond policy and planning.

That sense of connection has remained a constant throughout her governance career and is equally visible in her leadership at Marsden.

At Marsden, sport is a cornerstone of school life, with 83 per cent of students participating - well above the Wellington regional average. That strong engagement reflects a deliberate approach to school sport that prioritises belonging, participation and enjoyment alongside performance.

“When we developed our sports strategy at Marsden, we were guided by many of the same values,” Paula says. “We want every student to experience belonging and enjoyment, while also supporting those with talent to pursue excellence.”

Marsden’s sporting culture is built around that balance, ensuring students at all levels are encouraged to take part and represent their school in meaningful ways.

Paula also reflects on the COVID-19 period as one of the most challenging aspects of her Board service, particularly the responsibility of helping restore safe opportunities for young people when sport had come to a halt.

Across her career in both education and governance, she has consistently emphasised the lasting value of sport beyond results. “The memories they make through sport often stay with them far longer than any result,” she says.

While stepping away from formal governance, she will remain a Life Member and continue to support the organisation. She also acknowledges the broader community behind school sport.

“I accepted the Life Membership on behalf of all the principals, teachers, coaches and volunteers who make these experiences possible.”