Coaches supported by High Performance Accelerator Programme

3 February 2015

Support for Talented Coaches through High Performance Accelerator Programme

All Whites Head Coach Anthony Hudson, Canterbury Head Coach Scott Robertson and Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic Assistant Coach Margaret Forsyth are among those selected for High Performance Sport New Zealand’s next Coach Accelerator Programme.

High Performance Sport NZ Chief Executive Alex Baumann says quality coaching is critical to the success of individual athletes and teams, as well as the overall high performance system.

“Through the Coach Accelerator Programme, we’re able to help skilled coaches further develop their leadership and coaching styles so that they are world’s best and can lead their athletes and teams to world’s best performances. We believe that quality coaching is one of New Zealand’s competitive advantages.

“The Coach Accelerator Programme was started in 2009 with the aim of ‘growing our own’ here in New Zealand, so they’re capable of producing more Kiwi champions. The coaches who put their names forward for selection are talented and driven to achieve at the top. Forty-two coaches have either been through or are currently in the Coach Accelerator Programme. I’m pleased to announce today the names of those selected for the seventh intake to the programme.”

The coaches selected to the 2015 intake are:

• Anthony Hudson, who was recently appointed as Head Coach of the New Zealand men’s football team the All Whites. Prior to this appointment, Anthony was Head Coach of the Bahrain national team and has had coaching roles with Tottenham Hotspur and Newport County in England. He is one of the youngest coaches to have obtained a UEFA Pro Licence.

• Margaret Forsyth, who is Assistant Coach of the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic netball team. Margaret is a former policewoman, Silver Fern player and Board member of the Magic franchise, and is a current Hamilton City Councillor.

• Scott Robertson, Head Coach of the Canterbury provincial rugby team and of the New Zealand U20 team. The former All Blacks flanker played 23 test matches for New Zealand, and has also played professionally in France and Japan.

• Tony Iro, Assistant Coach of the Warriors rugby league team. Tony was appointed to that role last year after previously working with New Zealand Rugby League as their High Performance General Manager. Tony played 244 games as a professional player and 25 tests as a New Zealand representative, and he has also been a selector.

• Raylene Bates, Throws and Combined Events Coach at Athletics New Zealand. Raylene works with Paralympic and able-bodied athletes, and has managed teams at numerous Olympic Games, Paralympic Games and other international competitions. She is a former national level athlete in throws events.

• Gary Roberts is the Head Coach of Rowing New Zealand’s Waikato Regional Performance Centre and is a New Zealand U23 coach. He was New Zealand Junior Rowing Coach of the Year in 2011. A former athlete in Rowing New Zealand’s elite programme, Gary was Assistant Coach at the Waikato RPC before being appointed Head Coach late last year.

• Sean Dancer, Assistant Coach of the Black Sticks Women’s hockey team. Australian-born, Sean has also coached in Belgium, worked for Capital Hockey in Wellington, and also has experience working with the Black Sticks men’s team.

Anthony Hudson says he’s really pleased to have been selected to the Coach Accelerator Programme so soon in his role.

“I’m really passionate about coaching and development and this programme is a dream for coaches like me. I am committed to building the national team and making sure we get to Russia in 2018. And, most importantly, building a team that the country will be proud of, with a good style of play, strong team spirit, and to leave the team in a healthy and sustainable place for the future. I’m confident that being part of the Coach Accelerator Programme will help me achieve those goals."

Netball New Zealand Chief Executive Hilary Poole says having Margaret selected to the programme is a boost to the work Netball NZ is doing to develop their coaches through their own High Performance Coaching Programme.

“The demands placed on coaches are intense so it’s great to get the extra support and professional development provided through the Coach Accelerator Programme. The netball coaches who have already been through it have found it hugely valuable so we were pleased that Margaret was selected for the programme and joins this very talented cross sport group.”

Scott Robertson says he’s excited to be involved in a programme “that's held in such high esteem”.

“I have no doubt that this will be of huge value to me and a major part of my growth as a coach. This programme provides a great opportunity for high performance coaches to network and learn from their peers in other sports and that helps to give New Zealand coaches an edge on the international stage. The knowledge and skills I pick up through this programme will be immensely useful as the New Zealand U20 team prepares for the Junior Rugby World Cup in Italy."

Coach Accelerator is a three-year professional development programme. The group of coaches selected each year learn about the art of coaching, and are also given individualised programmes focusing on areas they each need to work on to be world’s best. The programme is structured through a series of residential workshops, access to coaching mentors, and engaging with experts from various high performance environments. One of its unique features is that it brings together coaches from different sporting codes.

Graduates of the programme include All Blacks Coach Steve Hansen, Cycling New Zealand Head Coach Dayle Cheatley, and Black Caps Coach Mike Hesson.

More information about the Coach Accelerator Programme is available on our website.

ENDS

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