Over the past two weekends, 27 dedicated coaches came together to develop their craft through the Level 3 Te Whanake Coach Course—a five-month programme designed to deepen knowledge and sharpen coaching practice. These weekends marked the immersive wānanga component of the course, where coaches connected, reflected, and put their learning into action.
On April 5th and 6th, the first group of coaches gathered at St Margaret’s College in Christchurch, guided by facilitators Sam Ryburn, Sebastian Gonzalez, and Shaun Matthews. Participants travelled from across the South Island, including Christchurch, Tasman, Queenstown, Dunedin, and Southland, to take part. Some coaches even made the trek from the Central Region!
The following weekend, on April 12th and 13th, a second cohort came together at Rangitoto College in Auckland. This wānanga was led by Johann Timmer, Adam Watson, Laina Samia, Rob Tarr, and Shaun Matthews, with coaches attending from Tāmaki Makaurau, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, the Hawkes Bay, and Wellington.
Both weekends focused on two critical phases of the game: Serve Receive, Set, and Attack and Serve, Block, and Defend. Through deep discussion, thoughtful reflection, and hands-on application, coaches explored these elements from multiple angles. They observed expert facilitators in action, exchanged ideas, and practiced delivering high-quality coaching themselves. Coaches were also introduced to the concept of nested planning – a strategic approach to long-term/campaign planning, where each coaching interaction connects to medium-term cycles, which in turn align with long-term development goals.
Participant feedback highlighted the depth and value of the experience:
“It was really insightful, informative, and intriguing.” (Christchurch participant)
“It was incredibly well-structured and smoothly run. The positive environment you and the facilitators created made a real difference, and the honest, constructive feedback shared was truly valuable for everyone involved.” (Auckland participant)
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible facilitators, the schools who generously hosted us, and the players who brought energy and openness to the learning environment. These weekends were a testament to the power of connection, shared purpose, and continuous growth in the coaching journey.
Level 3 coaches have two sessions left – an online workshop focusing on motivation, performing under pressure, and the surroundings and conditions of the group they coach. The programme concludes with a forum, where coaches are encouraged to share any successes and challenges, they’ve encounter while applying the learning.
For any more information on the Level 3 programme, contact our Coach Development Manager – shaun@volleyballnz.org.nz
