New Programme Will Boost Success of Waikato Performace Athlete Coaches

Eighteen coaches representing fifteen different sports codes were named for a new nationwide Performance Coach Advance (PCA) programme launched last night in Hamilton.

The nationwide programme will see 102 coaches of performance (pre-carded, pre-elite) athletes, selected by their National Sport Organisation (NSO) through six regional centres in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago.

The regional programme led by Sport Waikato will run alongside the ‘Pathway to Podium’ programme launched last week for athletes.

The Waikato PCA programme will be managed by Sport Waikato’s coach development advisor Mark McLaughlin, who has coached a number of sports from grass roots to an international level since he was of school age.

“The focus of the programme is around education and active learning,” McLaughlin said.

“Coaches need to understand where they sit in the athlete’s career paths. PCA is not about developing the coach to become a high performance coach, but about supporting the coach to become the best coach of a performance athlete they can be.”

Guest speaker at the launch was Triathlon New Zealand’s high performance director Graeme Maw. Maw spoke of the importance the performance coach plays in getting more high performance athletes on the podium and winning medals. “This is the most critical area in achieving high performance success. Coaches who are on the programme have the opportunity to engage in an active learning process, and obtain excellence in coaching performance athletes”.

The 2014/15 Inductees are;

Barrie Jennings: Athletics

Blair Taylor Cycling

Cameron Durno Triathlon

Carl Gordon Swimming

Clarke Johnstone Equestrian

Colleen McIlroy Volleyball

Gary Peacham Rugby League

Gavin Downes Touch

Joanne Williams Squash

Ken Creswell Football

Matt Scorringe Surfing

Mike Gilbert Rowing

Reon Sayer Golf

Roger Randle Rugby

Simon Brill Hockey

Simon Thomas Golf

Vanessa Way Equestrian

Vaughan Priddey Athletics

ENDS

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