With Don Leitch Memorial Trophy nominations opening this round, it is only fitting to profile the winner of the 2022 CBD trophy, Samantha Byrnes!
Not only does she keep her team motivated and engaged, but she also grew her office’s participation from 1 team in 2022, to 5 teams in 2023! Samantha is described by her team as ‘the most amazing, inspiring, bossy and fun captain’.
How did you initially find out about the Corporate Cup?
I actually ran the Corporate Cup a few times with my Mother (Ruth Byrnes) when I was in my teens (let’s not identify how long ago that was!!). Ruth Byrnes (aka ‘Mum’) tells me that she won the fastest veteran 4.5km category once!
Last year you were awarded the Don Leitch Memorial Trophy in the CBD for ‘reigniting the team spirit and sense of community.’ How have you used the Corporate Cup to boost camaraderie in your organisation and do you do anything extra to keep the team spirit up over the 7 rounds?
Banter, competition, a few cheeky ‘lemonades’ Friday’s after work, Corporate Cup snacks and we always feature a CC member weekly– how long they have been with our agency, where they were before coming to us, what they love about the CC so far – it has been great to get to know our colleagues.
You grew your Corporate Cup teams from 1 in 2022 to 5 in 2023 – what’s your secret to encouraging so many staff from your office to participate?
Some would say brute force, some would say a focused commitment on actions and outcomes, some would say bribery! I would however say customised and focussed attention on my colleagues being the best they can be (also, a fair bit of friendly banter and sense of competition). We each participate for a different reason and it is finding and encouraging that reason for every individual.
What’s your favourite thing about the Corporate Cup?
I love seeing everyone achieve what they set out to achieve – whether that be an extra 1km every day or losing a few pesky covid kgs or getting that PB or using the KM tracker walks as a way of connecting and spending time with their family on the weekend in a positive and healthy way!
Great work Samantha, and thanks again to all of our awesome team captains and motivators.
