Jaimee McAleese knows what it feels like to have an Olympic dream ride on a selector's decision. Now she is the one making that call, having been appointed Canoe Racing New Zealand's newest National Selector.
McAleese, née Lovett, was part of the country's high performance canoe sprint programme from 2007 to 2017, racing at World Championships and, in 2016, becoming part of New Zealand's first women's K4 crew to compete at an Olympic Games. That Rio boat finished fifth.
Selectors rarely make headlines, but their work matters enormously. They are responsible for ensuring athletes are picked fairly and transparently, in line with CRNZ's selection policies, and for providing independent oversight across every level of competition the sport runs teams for.
Since stepping away from international racing, McAleese has stayed close to elite sport. She supported athletes at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games, served as a New Zealand Olympic Committee Olympic Ambassador, took part in the NZOC Women in Sport Leadership Academy, and helped facilitate the NZOC Wāhine Toa leadership programme.
Outside sport, she has built a career in people, culture and organisational performance, taking on senior executive responsibilities spanning strategy, governance, risk management and workplace culture. CRNZ says that background underpins the sound, evidence-based judgement a national selector needs.
CRNZ Chief Executive Graham Oberlin-Brown welcomed the appointment. "Jaimee brings valuable experience and a strong understanding of our sport through her involvement as both an athlete and leader," he said. "Her ability to assess information objectively, apply sound judgement and understand the athlete perspective will be a significant asset to the selector group."
The timing is notable. Athlete numbers are growing, results on the international stage have been strong, and opportunities are expanding across junior, under-23 and senior programmes alike.
McAleese takes over from Chris Emmett, who held the selector role for several years. CRNZ has thanked Emmett for his contribution to the sport's selection environment and the part he has played in supporting athletes and programmes over that time.
Her appointment was endorsed by the CRNZ Board, closing the loop on a decision that puts someone who has lived the athlete experience firmly in charge of judging it.
