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