Last week, a three-day Coach Developer Training programme was held in Auckland, bringing together Coach Developers from every zone, creating an atmosphere of learning and collaboration.

Facilitated by Shaun Matthews, Volleyball New Zealand’s Coach Development Manager, the purpose of the course was to arm Coach Developers with the tools to facilitate impactful coach development experiences.

More specifically, providing participants with the knowledge, skills, and attributes to deliver meaningful opportunities for coaches of junior players.

“For me, the event was a profound source of pride and inspiration. It was gratifying to have everyone in the same room, discussing, reflecting, and demonstrating their understanding of coach development," Matthews said. 

Over the three-day workshop, Coach Developers explored various ways to enable ‘space’ for coaches to learn by creating psychologically safe environments, fostering curiosity, and sharing tools to encourage reflective practice. In addition, the group reflected on ways to share the knowledge and understanding they have as coaches, with others.

Matthews said the real work begins now.

"Maintaining the momentum and providing ongoing support will be crucial to turning our collective vision into a sustainable reality. There is a palpable sense of excitement for what the future holds, and I am committed to ensuring that this initial spark leads to lasting impact."

Keep an eye out for Coaching Course opportunities or reach out to your Regional Association to find out more about upcoming Level 2 courses in your area.

In April, 18 passionate volleyball coaches from all four corners of Aotearoa, united for a weekend of development as part of the Level 3 Coaching Course.

Across two intensive days, they delved deep into the intricacies of defensive and attacking concepts and skills.

Day one saw Johann Timmer (Game Development Manager at VNZ) take the reins, guiding the cohort through the nuances of defensive play, looking closely at planning, reading, and execution.

On day two, Rob Tarr (Game Development Manager at Harbour Volleyball) steered the conversation towards attacking strategies. Coaches absorbed sessions on individual and team components to setting and attacking.

VNZ’s Coach Development Manager, Shaun Matthews, also provided guidance on facilitating the decision-making process and the importance of long-term planning.

“I have already incorporated elements from the weekend into my planning for this week’s training. The other coaches are really friendly and supportive, and I feel like I’ve developed a further network of coaches to bounce ideas off. I would highly recommend this course to other coaches” (Course Participant)

Additionally, the Level 3 Pilot programme in the Bay of Plenty recently concluded on a high note. For the final session of the course, Jason Lochhead (VNZ High Performance Coach) addressed critical gaps in the game, helping coaches to develop their understanding of the arm swing technique when attacking, jump serving, and defending. Coaches got to observe Jason in action, discuss and reflect on ways to teach the techniques and skills, as well as do some coaching of their own.

VNZ want to thank Johann and Rob, for sharing your knowledge and experience with the group. In addition, we would like to thank Rangitoto College for graciously hosting and to the local athletes whose participation enriched the coaching experience.

Congratulations to the dedicated Bay of Plenty coaches - Treena Blythe, Taina Savage, David Hadcroft, Suzanne Miller, Linda Page, Tom Collier, and Michelle Darke for completing the programme. A special acknowledgement is also owed to Brittany McMurtrie (nee Allison-Carnie) for her instrumental role in sharing and advancing this course.

Volleyball Coach Education takes a bit step forward this weekend with the first-ever Level 3 Te Whanake Coach Course delivered.

As the third step in the Volleyball New Zealand Coach Development Pathway, the Level 3 course has 21 candidates representing nine different Regional Associations from across the motu - from more than 30 coaches who applied to be part of the first cohort.

The Level 3 course is delivered over five months with session one a half-day, online component. In April, the group come together for a weekend of learning before the course finishes in June with another half-day, online session.

Participants are encouraged to demonstrate reflection and learning throughout the course. After each session, coaches will be challenged and supported to embed learnings into their coaching practice. In addition, each coach has identified a mentor, someone who can play an important role in assisting them on their coaching journey.

Volleyball New Zealand Coach Development Manager Shaun Matthews is delighted with the level of interest from around the country.

“It was an absolute pleasure to interview every applicant and get to know more of the volleyball tribe,” Matthews said.

“Every interview was a rewarding conversation about coaching, and it was genuinely a tough decision narrowing down the final group.”

Matthews said the course will provide an environment that stimulates both individual and group learning.

“I am genuinely excited to get this programme underway. Coaches will learn more about themselves and pick up tools to enhance their coaching.

“I am confident each coach will enrich the programme and create an environment where coaches generate knowledge together.”

The first Level 3 course comes after a pilot course delivered with the assistance of Brittany McMurtrie (Volleyball Bay of Plenty) and Johann Timmer (VNZ).

Level 3 Te Whanake Coach Course 2024 – Cohort 1

Level 3 Te Whanake Pilot Coach Course 2023-2024 (Volleyball Bay of Plenty)

Suzanne Miller
Tom Collier
Michelle Darke
Taina Savage
Linda Page
David Hadcroft
Treena Blythe

A group of Aotearoa’s best and brightest aspiring female volleyball coaches had an experience to remember in early December.

Delivered as the first in-person group session of Coaching On!, Volleyball New Zealand’s mentoring and coach development programme for aspiring female performance coaches, nine of the cohort’s 13 members gathered in Sumner, Ōtautahi.

Led by Volleyball New Zealand Performance Coach Advisor for Women and Girls, Kim Smith, the weekend provided a range of opportunities for the group including whanaungatanga, building connections, sharing knowledge while developing tools for coaches to use on their personal journey.

Smith says the weekend provided many opportunities for deeper connections to be made within the group.

“Through the get to know games, challenging physical activities, discussions when participating in the designed sessions or just through the informal learning opportunities, we are now in a really good place to be able to have courageous conversations with each other when we move through the next seven months of this programme,” Smith said.

“This is important when wanting to get the most out of our peer coaching observations and monthly online connects.

“The live in wānanga proved extremely valuable allowing many more informal opportunities to connect in comparison to a more formal conference style. The sharing of kai and having everyone pitching in to clean prepare and clean up all contributed to an were examples of our group’s values and the way in which we want to move forward as a team.”

Cohort 1 of the Coaching On! programme took to the water together earlier in December. Photo by Thomas Hamill.

High Performance Sport New Zealand fund Smith’s role with Volleyball New Zealand supporting the running costs of the Coaching On! programme.

Basketball New Zealand’s - South Island lead of people development, Lori McDaniel, and Head of Matutū Rugby, Whitney Hansen were also part of the kaupapa, delivering sessions on self-awareness and giving and receiving feedback.

Both coaches have been through HPSNZ’s Te Hāpaitanga program designed to connect and accelerate women coaches in New Zealand.

Smith said both alluded to the need to continually be open to learning both sharing examples of their vulnerability and willingness to be open to feedback of your athletes and the impact this has had for the betterment of their coaching.

Liz Hanna says the experience was a weekend of growth and connection. 

“We were given fabulous opportunities and great speakers to expand on our own knowledge, strengths and confidence all whilst bonding and building trust together.  There was real value in discussing situations together and really drawing on the diversity and knowledge, the gold was in the group.”  

We were extremely lucky to have Thomas Hamill a documentary photographer and videographer employed by HPSNZ to capture part of the day on Saturday. Thomas will continue to follow the progress of this group at upcoming tournaments and National training camps that our coaches are involved in.

2024 will see the coaches form closer relationships with their Coaching partner within the group. Regular mentor sessions with their personal mentor and regular check ins with Kim Smith as their programme co-ordinator. The group will continue monthly online connects as a whole group.

Ma te huruhuru ka rere te manu

Adorn the bird with feather so it can fly.

(The above whakataukī is the guiding theme for this year’s cohort)

Mentors are an extremely important part of this programme. Their wisdom, support and challenge will contribute to each coach developing all of the different feathers they need to soar.

Each coach has reached out and are initiating coach mentor relationships with other coaches around Aotearoa. We view this as a crucial piece in the growth and support of our coaches pushing the envelope and supporting them to coach on to the performance level. Thank you to our Mentors!

Coaching On! - Cohort 1 2023-2024

Brieana Crosbie                                                Mary Edmondson                                            Treena Blythe
Ella Carlsen                                                       Nina Kerr                                                         Alyssa Johnstone
Eseta Semisi                                                      Shaunna Polley                                               Claire Stewart
Lauren Fleury                                                    Liz Hanna                                                        Laina Samia
Sarah Drummond

Volleyball New Zealand upcoming coach development opportunities

The Expression of Interest for the 2024 Volleyball New Zealand Level 3 Develop Coaching Course is now open. For more information click here.