Community Coaches ‘Winners On The Day’

MEDIA RELEASE
25 May, 2007

Community Coaches ‘Winners On The Day’

Graham Henry launches Powerade coaches’ programme
at SPARC convention

A comprehensive online community coaches' programme was launched by All Blacks coach Graham Henry today in Wellington.

The website, www.powerade.co.nz is the first step in Powerade’s plans to connect community coaches. An online forum invites coaches to chat with each other, a special ‘coaches only’ section covers everything coaching; and there are also player tips and information for non-coaches.

Speaking to more than 450 sports coaches at the SPARC Connecting Coaches convention, Henry explained the significance of the Powerade Connecting Community Coaches programme.

“Community coaches are the backbone of sport in New Zealand. This website is another way of supporting them in their hugely valued role, and in getting coaches connected with each other.

“As official sports drink of the All Blacks, Powerade is in a great position to lead the project, with input from a range of esteemed sports and coaching experts. Effective hydration is right up there for my players, alongside training, motivational techniques and all the other tools we use to do our best on the field.

“The site will be used by community coaches from the full spectrum of sporting codes as a resource and a meeting place, and I congratulate Powerade on developing such an important coaching tool,” he said.

Powerade recognised the need for a community coaches' programme earlier this year. Research undertaken in February highlighted the fact that community coaches want to connect with other coaches, and build their coaching expertise and ability. The website allows them to share information, learn from the best and upskill their coaching knowledge.

Powerade ambassador and director of Team Powerade, Jack Ralston, says the inclusion of hydration information is an important part of the site.

“Many coaches don’t fully understand the principles of effective hydration. This site contains information for coaches to provide to their teams and players. . This knowledge will help coaches advise their players on when to drink water and when sports drinks are appropriate. The most important thing is that specially formulated sports drinks, such as Powerade, are used for the right reason, and that’s to quickly replace what the body loses during intensive exercise to maintain mental and physical performance,” said Jack.

The Powerade Connecting Community Coaches programme is advised by a panel of leading sports coaches and experts. These are; Tracy Lemon (MIT senior sports lecturer); Bob Jarman (AUT senior sports lecturer); Dane Baker (Sports dietitian); Mike McHugh (SPARC Coaching programme leader and coach of NZ Tall Ferns); Jack Ralston (Netball NZ CEO and Team Powerade director) and Brent Anderson (New Zealand Rugby Union Community Rugby Manager).

Coaches who sign up to the site will be sent a resource folder with coaching templates for use during training, and the ability to add their own information as they go.* In a special offer to coaches who sign up in the first week (by 5pm, Friday 1 June), Powerade will select one lucky coach to win a visit from a coaching or sporting star to their club or school.**

* Numbers are limited to the first 1,500

** Some conditions apply:
Must be taken by end of 2007 on a date acceptable to both parties, the coach or sporting star will be selected by Powerade and the recipient will be randomly drawn from all website coaching section sign ups received by 5pm Friday June 1st 2007.
See www.powerade.co.nz for all terms and conditions.

ENDS

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