ATHLETE LIFE ATHLETE LIFE MATTERS IS A PUBLICATION OF THE HPSNZ ATHLETE LIFE PROGRAMME EMPOWERING ATHLETE CAPABILITY FOR COMPETITIVE GREATNESS Congratulations to those cyclists selected for the GET TO KNOW OUR OLYMPIANS 2012 Olympic Games NATASHA HANSEN BIKE NEW ZEALAND OLYMPIC STIMULATING CYCLING TEAM IS: Men Women ARDUOUS Shane Archbold Lauren Ellis Sam Bewley Natasha Hansen EMPOWERING Eddie Dawkins Joanne Kiesanowski Aaron Gate Jaime Nielsen FUN Westley Gough Alison Shanks Ethan Mitchell Rushlee Buchanan Marc Ryan – subject to quota SATISFYING Jesse Sergent confirmation NATASHA HANSEN (TRACK SPRINTER) Simon van Reserve: Katie Natasha Hansen first had Olympic aspirations as a youngster growing up. After Velthooven Schofield– subject getting involved in track cycling in high school, she set about making that Olympic Reserve: to acceptance of dream a reality. After about six years or so of competitive cycling, Natasha made Sam Webster final qualifiers the tough decision to leave the sport, frustrated with the direction she was going. NB: New Zealand has yet to select cyclists in the Road, Mountain Bike or BMX events Two years later, with a new perspective As Natasha counts down to the Olympics, and being physically and mentally she is in a transition phase with her role DID YOU KNOW stronger from her down time, she had as an Air Traffic Controller, working full Track Cycling has featured at every Games renewed her passion for the sport. “The time until she heads overseas. Both her but one since 1896. Women’s Track Cycling support around me was a big influence employer Airways and BikeNZ have been joined the Olympic programme in 1988. in getting back on the bike, including one flexible enabling her to juggle both. “Good There are 10 Olympic Track Cycling events of my coaches Jerard Stock. His belief communication with both BikeNZ and and one of these is the Keirin, where the in me helped re-build my confidence and Airways has made this all possible and we race is conducted over eight laps. Riders revive my cycling career,” Natasha says. have all been able to work together with compete in a sprint after following a During Natasha’s time out from the sport, the same goals in mind.” motorised pacer starting with the riders she trained as an Air Traffic Controller pacing behind. With 2.5 laps of the track relocating to Invercargill. Working with left to go the pacer pulls off and the riders experts including Athlete Life Advisor Jason sprint for the finish. The first rider to cross McKenzie and Strength and Conditioner Bike New Zealand’s National Women’s the line is the winner. Simon Jones, who are constantly offering Sprint Coach Stuart MacDonald says support and advice, allows Natasha to stay positive and focused on her goals. “I have Natasha has had a rollercoaster ride Athlete Life Advisor Jason McKenzie is based found that many of my close network act as with her cycling career, but has gone in Invercargill and works closely with the Track a calming influence in my life,” she says. from strength to strength. “She is an Team. He says that the sport is growing so After being a full time athlete, Natasha outstanding person who has successfully had the big challenge of learning to be much that the athletes have to be able to adapt managed to balance the life of a young organised when juggling her full-time job quickly to change. “Being able to reframe their working professional as well as that of an with her training. “I used to have the whole thinking around the changes and being aware day to get my training sessions done, often elite athlete,” he says. of the energy this can use is important. They procrastinating until later in the day. Now are, after all, striving to bring it all together for that I have a very limited window to train, I style ife De L ve constantly have to plan in advance and stick rt lo when it matters most,” he says. o p p in S g to my schedule,” she explains. g P in e r g s a o n n a a l M L e ATHLETE a d LIFE e r s s e h c i p THE ATHLETE LIFE PROGRAMME PROVIDES SUPPORT TO ATHLETES WITH THEIR CAREER n a n i F AND EDUCATION, SPORT LIFESTYLE, PERSONAL LEADERSHIP AND FINANCES SO THEY g n i C g a a r e n e CAN ACHIEVE COMPETITIVE GREATNESS. a r M a n n d o i E t a d c FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO http://www.hpsnz.org.nz/athletes/athlete-life u.