When James Hardaker took over as Head Coach of Wellington Diving Club in October 2003, he brought with him a vision — not only to develop champion athletes, but also to create a pathway for divers of all levels to enjoy the sport and achieve their potential.

Over the past two decades, James has overseen the rise of numerous New Zealand champions, record holders, and international representatives. His athletes have competed at the Australian Olympic Youth Festival, Junior World Championships, FINA Grand Prix, World Championships, and the Commonwealth Games.

James’ coaching philosophy has always been about more than results. He’s built a development pathway that allows every diver to find joy in the sport, while also pushing those with the ambition and dedication to reach the highest level. His drive to develop and support coaches has seen numbers grow steadily, with an eye on building an even stronger coaching team as the club continues to flourish.

That same passion for nurturing talent led James to his current role as a Te Mahi Ako workplace assessor. The opportunity came unexpectedly, after he was asked to record a video about his coaching philosophy — but it struck a chord. I can help new coaches by sharing the guidance I wish I’d had early on.

For James, assessor training with Te Mahi Ako was a perfect fit. “I’m very much a doer rather than a classroom person,” he says. “We had some in-class work, then we could go out and put it into practice. That suited me perfectly.” The positive, welcoming environment and ongoing support have been key to his success in the role.

Being an assessor is more than marking assessments — it’s about building confidence, encouraging growth, and helping learners bring their philosophies to life. “I like to give feedback that’s encouraging and positive, but I’ll challenge them if they haven’t quite met the brief,” James explains. “The easy part is saying why you’d do something — the harder part is showing how you’d implement it.”

One of the most rewarding aspects for James is the passion he sees in his learners. “They’re highly engaged and committed — you can see it in the quality of their work and the way they think more deeply about their assessments as they progress.”

In his own workplace, James’ assessor role reinforces an athlete-centred approach, keeping ideas fresh and helping to grow his coaching staff. He believes this qualification is a game-changer for the profession: “It’s great to see coaching taken seriously, and having this qualification available to aspiring coaches is a big step forward. It can lift coaching standards across all sporting codes in New Zealand.”

His advice to anyone considering becoming an assessor? Do it. “It’s a positive, welcoming environment. You aren’t micromanaged. You get to help people grow — and it’s fun.”

And for learners just starting their journey with Te Mahi Ako? “Be a sponge. Learn from everyone and everything. You’ll be surrounded by great people — take in as much as you can.”

Even the paperwork has been a pleasant surprise. “Admin isn’t my forte, but I’m actually enjoying it!” James laughs. And if he could talk to his ‘new assessor’ self? “I’d say, told you it was a good opportunity to take up!”

For James, success is simple: do his utmost to give every learner the best experience possible. Because when the next generation of coaches thrives, the entire sporting community benefits.