We are so proud of our history and people, and we are introducing a new section for each newsletter called ‘Friends of the Corporate Cup’. In Round 2, we profile Belinda Elding, who has been participating since 2021 and is team captain of 4 teams at Ultra Maritime (UM), pictured above – you may recognise the name as she was recently crowned Corporate Cupper of Round 1, nominated by some of her team members.
Why does UM encourage participation?
At UM, Corporate Cup is a great event for staff to be active during the colder months but more than that staff discuss it in the office and it creates great energy and culture around the office. People are excited to participate and talk to each other about how they go and encourage each other. Staff get to know people outside their work teams and it creates new relationships. This year we have over 25% of staff participating from Vice Presidents through to our new grads, and it is an opportunity for all to get to know each other from a non-work perspective. Personally, as I participated last year and was getting back into running I was encouraged by other staff after each run on how I was going with advice and support from different people.
Do you have a favourite memory/achievement from participating in Corporate Cup?
The 1st year I walked, I started running and by participating in Corporate Cup it encouraged me to get back into running, I improved every week and lost 6kgs along the way. I have continued to run since last year and have lost 20kgs over the year. It was the start of getting myself fit again and enjoying running again.
How are you so successful in encouraging over 25% of your workplace to participate?
I promoted Corporate Cup through emails, but then followed up with personal conversations with staff to encourage and explain how it works. For people unsure I spoke to them about it being once a fortnight and all you had to do was one lap of the lake and you can walk it or run and the only person you had to beat was yourself from the previous fortnight. Through personal conversations and sometimes not accepting the 1st no people slowly signed up and as more signed up others joined in. I had people say if they do it I’ll do it. Other participants from last year also encouraged new people to sign up and take part, we have a lot of 1st timers so let’s see if we can get more people next year.
Is there anything else you want to add?
I think the Corporate Cup is a great event that everyone should get involved in after all it’s only a short walk at lunch time once a fortnight.
Belinda – thanks for being a strong advocate for Corporate Cup and for taking the time to answer these questions for us.
