Hitaishi ( Hazel) Soni

Ponds Cricket club:

Duties:

• Directed the development of a 5-year strategy plan to increase girls’ cricket participation, securing funding, ensuring compliance with safeguarding regulations, and launching initiatives such as female coach appointments, high-performance programs, women’s leagues, and school outreach campaigns.
• Led strategic governance and oversight for high-performance pathways for 50 junior teams (U17, U15, etc.), ensuring compliance with Cricket NSW’s WIP strategy for talent development and community engagement, and conducting due diligence on all program initiatives.
• Directed the management of high-performance annual budgets, and resources were allocated efficiently for training, gear, camps, and competitions.
• Innovated AI-driven performance & management applications to optimise training, improve player selection, and inform management decisions on resource allocation.
• Designed and executed revenue-generating strategies through sponsorships and partnerships, ensuring compliance with financial regulations and diversifying funding streams for sustainable growth.
• Reviewed financial reports (balance sheets, P&L, cash flow statements), conducting due diligence to assess the club’s financial health and ensuring decisions align with long-term growth and compliance standards.

Key achievements:

• Strategically developed and led seminars on mental toughness, nutrition, and strength & conditioning, impacting 300+ junior athletes and driving long-term high-performance goals.
• Increased annual revenue by 25% and improved financial stability by 12% through securing sponsorships ( SQ Solutions, Mcgrath estate agents, Crystal Sports Australia), merchandising sales, hosting high-performance camps and clinics four times/ yearly
• Increased young girls' participation by 40% in the 24/25 season through targeted community outreach initiatives (Western Sydney Social Girls Program, Girls League) and appointing women in leadership roles.

• Directed the development and execution of a 5-year strategic plan to increase junior participation and player pathways, ensuring alignment with Cricket NSW's WIP strategy and long-term club goals.
• Exercised leadership and provided governance oversight of high performance, ensuring programs met industry standards and were continuously improved and compliant through regular monthly and yearly reviews and reports.
• Managed the financial oversight of high-performance programs by ensuring strategic resource allocation and sustainability through effective budgeting and conducting risk assessment protocols.
• Developed and implemented financial risk management protocols to safeguard program viability.
• Negotiated and secured sponsorships to fund competitions and support program activities, ensuring long-term financial stability.
• Innovated mental health initiatives to support youth athletes in balancing performance pressures with their personal well-being and academic commitments.
• Applied advanced negotiation strategies to build strong relationships with key stakeholders, securing partnerships and sponsorships expanding resources and ensuring the program’s long-term growth and financial stability.

Key achievements:

• Led the successful implementation of a 5-year strategic plan, increasing junior player retention by 25% and increasing competition participation by 21%.
• Managed a budget that reduced operational costs by 15% while maintaining program quality and expanding athlete services.
• Secured multi-year sponsorships with local businesses like Crystal Sports Australia, Specsavers, and Just Listed real estate resulting in a 20% increase in funding for club activities and program expansion in 2024-2025.

Duties:

• Led the first-ever strength & conditioning program for female athletes in major championships, aligning it with long-term development goals and overseeing program delivery for 6 teams and over 80 athletes.
• Led strategic initiatives to increase female participation in cricket, aligning with organizational goals and overseeing partnerships, funding, and community outreach for sustainable growth.
• Led and mentored S&C coaches and high-performance staff, upholding high standards and fostering a high-performance culture.
• Managed program budgets, prioritizing resources for performance equipment and athlete development.
• Monitored athlete workloads, minimizing injury risks and ensuring compliance with Cricket Australia’s guidelines.
• Collaborated with internal teams and external stakeholders to design and align physical performance programs with goals and regulations.

Key achievements:

• Became the first female coach at BCDCA to develop and launch physical performance programs for girls' cricket, significantly advancing athlete development and increasing female participation in the sport.
• Led he high-performance program for the U13 girls' team, resulting in a grand final victory, showcasing effective leadership and strategic program execution.

Duties:

• Led strategic planning for athlete development, making strategic decisions on training methods and overseeing execution to optimize performance and reduce injury risks.
• Managed the budget for S&C programs, ensuring efficient resource allocation and integrating technology for performance tracking.
• Directed innovation in performance programs using technologies like VALD, Dartfish, and Teambuildr to enhance performance and minimize injury risks.
• Led and mentored the high-performance team, setting KPIs for training outcomes and aligning strategies with both short-term and long-term goals.
• Delivered clear and concise progress reports during AGM and club meetings, ensuring all stakeholders (athletes, coaches, parents) were aligned on performance goals and athlete development.
• Ensured compliance with Cricket NSW guidelines and governance standards, addressing data and training issues while maintaining athlete well-being and program transparency.

Key achievements:

• Maximized ROI by prioritizing investments in advanced performance technologies leading to a 30% reduction in injury rates, a 25% improvement in performance, and a 20% increase in program efficiency, while reducing injury costs by 20%.
• Secured financial support for the 2025-2026 season, increasing female participation by 40%, fostering inclusivity, and enhancing women’s cricket development.
• Offered expanded role to coach Greenshield youth athletes for the 2025-2026 season, following success with Brewer Shield and contributing to Cricket NSW’s youth development strategy.

Duties:

• Designed and executed a 5-year business growth strategy, analysing market trends, identifying opportunities, and incorporating marketing, financial, and operational plans to drive growth, scale profitability, and expand market reach.
• Directed financial planning, budgeting, and strategic allocation, ensuring profitability and compliance through regular audits and transparent reporting.
• Secured strategic partnerships with cricket academies, clubs, and stakeholders, expanding brand reach and driving new revenue streams.
• Invested in a digital marketing agency and leveraged data analytics to boost brand visibility, target key demographics, and increase lead generation.
• Introduced cutting-edge sports performance technologies (e.g., VALD, Catapult Sports, Playertek) to elevate client outcomes and differentiate the business in a competitive market.
• Expanded service offerings in 2025 to include sports biomechanics, nutrition, psychomotor skills, and virtual programs, diversifying revenue streams and supporting long-term growth.
• Conducted thorough risk evaluations to identify and mitigate potential business risks, ensuring sustainable operations.
• Ensured legal compliance by preparing and maintaining all necessary documentation, including contracts, reports, and regulatory filings, to meet industry standards and mitigate legal risks.

Achievements:

• Launched the sports-performance coaching business in October 2023, securing 70+ athletes and generating $145,000 in revenue within the first year, surpassing initial growth targets.
• Secured partnerships with 3 cricket academies, 6 individual cricket coaches, and 10 sports teams, driving an additional $70,000+ in revenue through team and group coaching contracts.
• Introduced new service offerings, increasing revenue by 15% and attracting new customer segments within the first 3 months of operation.

Duties:

• Contribute to the development, management, and oversight of budgets, ensuring financial goals are met.
• Generate financial reports through MYOB, including profit & loss statements, balance sheets, and key performance metrics to support strategic decisions.
• Oversee cash flow, track costs, and implement strategies to maintain financial stability and profitability.
• Ensure adherence to financial regulations and oversee risk assessment processes for the organisation.
• Collaborate on long-term financial planning, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently to support financial goals.

Key achievements:

Developed and managed the annual budget, reducing operational expenses by 7.3% while maintaining efficiency.

Duties:

• Collaborated with a multi-disciplinary team of high-performance staff to ensure programs were well-coordinated.
• Managed injury prevention strategies and led recovery programs to reduce injury risks.
• Contributed to the planning and execution of athlete performance programs, improving performance outcomes through data interpretation and analysis via AMS.
• Identified and managed training risks to ensure compliance with health and safety standards.

Key achievements:

• Supported the development and execution of elite-level training programs, resulting in improved team performances and reduced injury rates for NSW Blues and NSW Breakers.