Behind the scenes: Margaret Webster

Communications for the Maadi Cup couldn’t be in better hands than those of Margaret Webster, who has rowed in the event herself and has a strong background in the sport.

Margaret looks after media coverage of the event at Lake Karapiro in her role as is marketing communications manager for Rowing New Zealand, 

 “My job is planning ahead and making sure everything runs smoothly in terms of media coverage,” she said.

“It makes the schools and kids feel good about themselves if they’re getting their faces in the paper and it’s there for their grandparents and parents to see.”

Margaret started with Rowing NZ last year, continuing a communications career that has included the excitement of the 2012 London Olympics.

“I was lucky enough to be involved in the [2010] Delhi Commonwealth Games as home support. Then I went to London which was the icing on the cake.”

Originally from a dairy farming and rowing family, Margaret has an impressive background for her behind-the-scenes role.

“This is home base, this is where everything is. I’ve raced in this [Maadi Cup] myself when I was at school.

“My father Alan Webster rowed for New Zealand. He represented New Zealand in the eights. He went to two Olympic Games in 1964 and 1968.

“My brother also rowed for Kings College so when I was a baby I was out here swimming in the lake.”

Her own success as a rower has played a big part in her decision to continue in sport behind the scenes.

“I went to university and did a bachelor of business studies at Massey. They had a sport management major.

“I’d grown up with sport and always enjoyed it, it was the only place I really wanted to be.

“I rowed at school for four years for Auckland Diocesan in my second year we won the U16 eights.

“My favourite was probably the eights, especially in my U16 year. We just seemed to fly in the water.”

The transition from the sport to behind the scenes was an easy move.

“I really wanted to get into sports management but I wasn’t sure what that entailed. Through my first job I worked as a communication events assistant.

“I just fell into it really. Everything’s just fallen into place since. It’s been a dream.”