Wayne’s interest was shaped by growing international conversations about toxic environments in elite sport. As athletes increasingly spoke out about experiences of bullying and abuse, Wayne questioned how such environments could persist in organisations that emphasise care and wellbeing.
“These aren’t just isolated cases, these are systemic issues, rooted in power, structure, and management practice,” Wayne says.
At the centre of his thesis was an examination of athlete wellbeing within New Zealand’s high-performance sport system. Wayne referred to the case of Olympic cyclist Olivia Podmore as a critical focal point—not as an exception, but as a lens through which to explore broader organisational dynamics. Her death in 2021 prompted widespread reflection on athlete welfare and reinforced the urgency of Wayne’s central question: What does critical theory reveal about how power operates in high-performance sport, and its influence on athlete wellbeing?
To address this, Wayne drew on Marxist theory and the work of Michel Foucault, employing critical discourse analysis to examine wellbeing related documents produced by high-performance sport organisations. This approach allowed him to look beneath surface level language and interrogate how wellbeing is defined, measured, and governed.
Wayne’s findings revealed a disconnect between the narration of care and lived experience.
“I found that athlete wellbeing was frequently commodified, positioned as something to be optimised to achieve performance outcomes such as funding success, medals, and national pride.
“In addition, control over wellbeing was commonly exercised from the top down, even though wellbeing is experienced differently by individuals—it’s subjective.”
These structural pressures, Wayne says, “...reinforce a ‘win at all costs’ culture.”
Wayne feels it is essential to acknowledge these issues aren’t confined to a single sport.
“Women’s rugby, gymnastics, canoeing, kayaking, cycling—this is affecting a whole lot of sports right across the board.”
Looking ahead, Wayne is set to embark on the next phase of his research career. Having been awarded a Wellington Doctoral Scholarship, he will commence his PhD study, deepening his work on ethics, power, and wellbeing in organisational systems.
“My studies have shown me there’s another side to management. It’s not just this dusty old-fashioned system where managers are there to control or influence employee behaviour.
“Exploring critical theories has shown me a different purpose for management, where people can be prioritised at the same time as organisational goals.”
Throughout his studies, Wayne was supported by his supervisor, Professor Todd Bridgman, who recognises his academic strengths and future potential.
“Wayne possesses a rare ability to analyse and synthesise complex information, to think critically and creatively, and to communicate clearly. He is showing all the signs of being both an outstanding researcher and teacher. His performance in his Master's degree was all the more impressive because of the considerable personal challenges he faced.”
Those challenges included becoming a parent during his degree. Wayne and his partner Denise welcomed a baby following a complicated birth that required extended time in hospital. During this period, Wayne credits his partner and wider family for their unwavering support, keeping things going at home while he remained focused on completing his research.
As Wayne reflects, “It takes a village not only to raise a baby, but to write a thesis.”
When Wayne crosses the stage to graduate in May, he will do so with not only a significant piece of research behind him, but with deep appreciation for the people who made it possible.