Our Amazing WORD Board!

The WORD Board was formed in May 2014 to oversee our growing organisation. Over the past couple of years, they have created the mother of all constitutions, developed our long term plan, and found a bit of time to ride bikes. They meet every 6 weeks to discuss the progress and possibilities of WORD. Each Board member brings unique skills to the table, but most importantly they are all passionate about seeing more kids mountain biking.

Board member vacancies!

WORD is looking for board members who are passionate about mountain biking and excited about our mission, and energized about the future growth of the organization. WORD is based in Wellington, Wanaka and piloting Queenstown, yet our community and network reaches across Aotearoa. We are looking for 2-3 clever, experienced, and creative people (ideally based in Wānaka or Queenstown) to join our Board with experience in any of the following:

  • Fundraising/Grant writing

  • Sponsorship and commercial partnerships

  • Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
    Let’s do this! If you’re keen to apply: head over to our fancy online application form Applications close 21 February 2025 with online interviews conducted the week of 24th February. Any questions just ask Richard Capie, WORD Chair: richardcapienz1@gmail.com

Current WORD Board

  • Richard Capie

    Richard is a WORD dad to Edmund and Isobel. After learning about WORD through their love of all things WORD he joined the WORD whanau as an instructor in Wellington. When he isn't riding his bike or heading out around New Zealand in the family adventure van, he works in a leadership role for Forest and Bird. Richard joined the WORD Board in 2022 with an ambition to help with WORD's next phase of awesome, with a particular interest in how WORD can open up to more kids from a wider range of backgrounds.

    Richard has experience in a number of senior leadership roles in government, private organisations and NGOs in Aotearoa and the UK.

  • Sarah Reading

    Sarah Reading

    Mum to 2 WORD kiddos, Sarah knows the benefit of lessons and regularly shares all the awesomeness that is WORD with anyone who will listen. A regular on the Wellington trails, Sarah loves how WORD has helped to upskill her kids so that she can share her passion with them. A family favourite are shuttle days at the Redwoods in Rotorua!

    In her work life Sarah has built and led a national team for a global tech company, and played a key role within a global leadership team that set the tone for creating and delivering an awesome workplace experience which just made life better for people in the office!

  • John Humphrey

    John is a Dad (and shuttle/ uplift provider) of two Daughters, one high on WORD stoke and the other counting the days to her 7th birthday. Seeing first hand what WORD means to kiddos and the positive impact on their lives, he jumped at the chance to join the board in 2024 to support the awesome mahi of Ash and her crew.

    In between the next Enduro or XC Event, he is a regular Welly rider (lover of all things Waipamihi and Te Kopahou) and a Civil Engineer, leading high profile and complex projects for both government and private clients.

    John brings his breadth of knowledge including analytics, operational management, commercial management, leadership and governance to WORD and, has a particular interest in facilitating the development of key life skills for Tamariki as they grow into young adults.

  • Matt Williams

    Matt is WORD parent to Elliott 9 and soon to be WORD rider Millie 7, he is excited at the opportunity to get stuck in and join The WORD Board in 2024 after seeing the growth and development that this organisations delivers to kids first hand. Matt and whanau are regular riders at Rangituhi, Porirua but also love exploring trails around the wider Wellington region and further afield whenever they get the chance.

    Matt holds a senior leadership position within the building industry, responsible for multiple businesses across the Lower North Island. Matt has experience across operations, finance and HR and has a huge passion for helping people and businesses to grow and develop. Matt has a particular interest in assisting Ash and the team with securing greater funding via grants and commercial partnerships, so WORD can have an even bigger group of kids around the country involved in changing the world one ride at a time!