Nationwide

Introducing Bridget, Camp Quality’s New General Manager

22 June 2026

News

Bridget Belsham has always known what’s important: people, relationships, and environments where everyone is given the chance to be the best version of themselves.  After 11 years of serving Whanganui Rugby Football Union as their Chief Executive, she has stepped into leadership at Camp Quality – full of passion and ready to make a difference.

We can thank Bridget’s friend & her Dad for encouraging her to get involved with CQ  

Back in 2024, Bridget learned about Camp Quality from a friend. The mission and the idea of CQ immediately piqued her interest, and she thought right away I’d love to be part of that. But at the time, her schedule was so busy with nearly every weekend full of commitments at Whanganui Rugby, she initially hesitated to sign on as a Companion. As is the case with so many high-performance, high-impact leaders, she felt drawn to the opportunity to help out, but constrained by the demands of her work.

It wasn’t until an honest chat with her Dad that made her realise that she needed to follow her passion and take the time off work to get involved. As Bridget explained, “He reminded me of how important it is to do the things we’re passionate about. It was right after losing my Grandmother, and he also helped me see just how proud she and my Grandad would have been to see me involved with an organisation like Camp Quality.”

That first year changed everything. As a Companion, Bridget stepped into one of the most rewarding things she has ever experienced. Watching the kids in action at camp – the laughter, the energy, the silliness – was truly remarkable. And looking back? It’s the moments of true connection and sharing that she holds closest. Like meeting her camper and their whānau for the first time. She remembers the nervous but excited feeling of getting to know them, and finding ways, together, to make sure camp would be special and meaningful. “It is hard to fully explain the impact that Camp Quality and this community has on you until you experience it,” Bridget says. “It’s unlike anywhere else.”

From Companion to General Manager

There’s simply no other job comparable to the one Bridget has just stepped into. As General Manager of Camp Quality, she’ll be responsible for everything from securing funding, shaping the future of camp operations and opportunities, overseeing the day-to-day management of the whole organisation, supporting the Board, and carving out partnerships with other charities. Unlike most non-profits, Camp Quality has only two full-time staff members; the rest of the work all comes from incredible, passionate volunteers. But that means Bridget is at the centre of a lot – from our brand to our systems to our strategic planning and our technology.

It’s a job that requires a lot of flexibility, and an incredible eye for opportunity. And this is where we are so excited to have Bridget’s incredible knowledge, talent, and expertise for us!

Because beyond her years of senior leadership experience at Whanganui Rugby, Bridget also has strong backgrounds in banking, law, events, and venue management. She’s coordinated complex projects on the ground, she’s worked directly with customers, and she’s managed passionate & dedicated teams. From being a bank teller to managing the build of a grandstand, she really has seen it all. That variety of experience and perspective is exactly what we needed at Camp Quality, and we’re so excited to have her wisdom!

At the heart of all her roles, across the many industries and contexts she’s been part of, Bridget says it’s always been about people. “No matter what the job was, I have always been creating environments where people feel valued, supported, and motivated to do their best for themselves and for others,” says Bridget. And that, as we all know, is what Camp Quality is all about.

She’s taking up the role from her home in Whanganui. Before work, she’s usually found out for a walk with her dog Millie and her amazing daughters, Kate (25) and Alana (21). In her spare time, Bridget enjoys playing squash, hockey, golf, or cheering on one of her race horses that she part-owns with her Mum and Dad. Originally from Taranaki, Bridget is deeply connected to her local community, family, and her love of sports and health.

Thinking big and leading with passion

There’s a lot in store for Camp Quality – new opportunities for collaborations, growth, and strengthening our service. But there are also many challenges, with factors like rising costs and a nationwide decline in volunteering, that are affecting charities up and down New Zealand. 

As Bridget takes on this important role, she says her priority is to see every child diagnosed with cancer in New Zealand have the opportunity to experience the magic of camp. “My hope is that we continue to make a real & lasting difference in the lives of children and their whānau who have already been through so much, while also continuing to grow awareness of the incredible work Camp Quality does.” 

Part of that work will be honouring and staying true to our roots as a community, and part of it will be to seek out new opportunities to raise up the name and the profile of our work in a bigger way. 

With the backing of truly the best volunteers any organisation could ask for, and the joy of hundreds of Campers fuelling our mission, we know we’ve got everything it takes to be the best we can be. And with our new fearless leader Bridget paving the way forward, we just can’t wait to see what the future holds.