Where are you from?

I am originally from Essex in England, and I have made my way to Hamilton via Auckland, Nelson and London. 

What is your role and where?

In my current roll I am the Facilities Coordinator and Sports Administrator at Hamilton Boys High School. It is a part time gig, but that allows me to follow my passion for sport and coaching for both the school and Hamilton Wanderers Football Club. 

What do you enjoy doing or some background about yourself?

I really enjoy most sports and also have a real interest in music. I used to be a bass player in a band and that was a real blast and we had modest success having recording a few records and touring overseas. I had to put that to one side when the coaching bug hit me after giving up my football playing days and I have been actively involved in coaching for the last 10+ years. This is my second season with Wanderers and my third season coaching at Hamilton Boys' High School. Previously to that I have coached at both Claudelands Rovers and Northern United in Hamilton and Three Kings United (now Auckland United). 

Why you joined the WILSS Sport Coaching Course?

I joined the course to learn some new skills, try to cement some foundational knowledge, pick up some new ideas and to deepen my understanding of other sports and athletes from a coaching perspective. It also offers opportunities for networking and learning from other coaches, which I hope will enable me to coach more effectively and innovatively and increase my ability to contribute to local football programs, encouraging young players and keeping them engaged in healthy and productive activities - be it in football or other sports. 

How are you finding it so far?

I'm really enjoying it so far. The course content is thought provoking, relevant and the interaction and discussion with the other cross section of coaches on the course has been invaluable.