Academy of Sport Launches Wellington Base

New Zealand Academy of Sport - North Island Launches Wellington Base

The New Zealand Academy of Sport – North Island (NZAS North Island) in partnership with Sport & Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) will launch its new base at the Wellington Central Library on Wednesday, 11 July.

The new location, supported by Wellington City Council, is part of SPARC’s strategy to deliver high performance services throughout New Zealand. The base will provide services to elite and emerging athletes and coaches.

NZAS North Island has secured the services of highly experienced staff and has contracted the region’s top sport science, sports medicine and Athlete Career and Education (ACE) service providers to ensure the needs of athletes and coaches in the Wellington area and other major centres in the lower North Island are met.

“We are delighted to launch the base and lower North Island operations and we are pleased to announce the appointment of our Wellington team of Deslea Wrathall as Performance Services Consultant, Chris Boyd as Coaching Services Advisor, and Nicki Tait as Wellington Office Manager and Talent Development Co-ordinator.

“We would also like to acknowledge the significant contribution made by all NZAS Central staff and Board members over the past six years.” said NZAS North Island Chief Executive Officer, Pete Pfitzinger.

Deslea Wrathall was a member of the 1982 World Champion White Sox and the 1992 World Champion NZ Women's Touch Team; she was 2003 New Zealand Women's Basketball Coach of the year, and just last month coached Porirua to the New Zealand Under-19 Basketball Championship.

Wrathall, who holds a Masters from Victoria University, has served as Performance Services Manager for NZAS Central since 2004, and will continue to provide support for National Sport Organisation high performance programmes, carded athletes and coaches.

Nicki Tait worked in administration and talent development for NZAS Central for two years prior to joining the NZAS North Island team. Tait holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Commerce from the University of Otago, and brings experience and energy to her work with athletes and coaches.

Former Wellington Lions Assistant Coach Chris Boyd was coach of Tawa Rugby Club for 10 years before taking the leap to be a professional. He was assistant coach at the Wellington Lions NPC side for four years and is also heavily involved with the International Rugby Academy of New Zealand.

Boyd will work closely with carded coaches in Wellington, and as far north as Palmerston North and Wanganui to support their ongoing development.

Chris Leslie, Junior Women's Black Sticks Coach will work closely with Boyd and team.

"As a carded coach I am really looking forward to using the new NZAS North Island Wellington base,” said Leslie. “The ability to rub shoulders with coaches from other codes, have access to numerous analysis tools, and tap into the Academy staff expertise on a daily basis can only add to my effectiveness.”

The official launch of the new base is scheduled for 11 July, and will be attended by the Honourable Trevor Mallard, Minister for Sport and Recreation, coaches, athletes, service providers and Wellington area stakeholders.

ENDS

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