Sebastián González Moreno is set to take the next step in his coaching journey, having been appointed Head Coach of Linköping VC in Sweden.

Currently Head Coach of the Volley Blacks (2021–2026) and former Head Coach of the Volley Ferns (2021–2024), González Moreno departs New Zealand following a significant period of growth and impact across both national programmes.

“I’m very excited to take my coaching to the next level. I’ve been working towards an opportunity like this for a long time, waiting for the right moment and the right place to go. There’s definitely some nerves, but I feel ready for the challenge and excited to see where this next step in my career takes me.”

An internationally certified FIVB coach with over 18 years of experience, González Moreno has worked across youth development, education, and national team environments, leading both men’s and women’s national teams in New Zealand.

His coaching career includes multiple national championship titles at both club and school level, a National Volleyball League gold medal, and recognition as Coach of the Year.

At the school level, he led St Margaret’s College to a national title in 2025, backing it up with another strong campaign and a silver medal finish at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Championships this year, reflecting his consistency in developing teams.

Reflecting on his experience with both the Volley Ferns and Volley Blacks, González Moreno says the opportunity to lead two programmes has been instrumental in his development.

“Having the responsibility of leading two different national programs has really helped shape my coaching, planning, and leadership. I’ve been fortunate to work with many talented athletes and coaches, which has allowed me to learn and grow a lot. That exposure to the international level has also helped me reassess key areas of focus so we can continue improving and be competitive on that stage.”

His coaching journey began early and has always been grounded in a clear sense of direction.

“I started coaching when I was 19 while completing my PE degree in Chile. By the time I finished, I knew I wanted to become a professional volleyball coach. I continued with postgraduate studies and completed multiple coaching courses and qualifications to give myself the best chance of building a career at a high level, and I’ve been pursuing that path ever since.”

Now, as he prepares to move to Sweden, González Moreno is embracing both the challenge and opportunity ahead.

“I’m excited to step into a new environment, live in a new city, and work with new athletes. I’m also looking forward to continuing to learn and grow as a coach. I’m very competitive, so I’m especially motivated by the opportunity to challenge for and win titles.”

Alongside his own progression, he also shared advice for coaches in New Zealand aspiring to pursue coaching full-time.

“My advice would be to invest in yourself, keep studying, keep learning, and take every opportunity to learn from other coaches and from your athletes. It’s also important to value your knowledge and experience. In New Zealand, a lot of coaching is still voluntary, and while that limits the ability of coaches to commit fully to coaching, it does not reflect on the value of the coach’s knowledge and experience, so coaches should pursue their dreams of coaching full-time with confidence.”

Linköping VC has welcomed González Moreno as a key appointment, with the club highlighting his experience, leadership, and proven results as aligning strongly with their ambitions.

“I’m proud to join Linköping VC. This is a club with strong foundations and big ambitions. I will lead with purpose and high standards to continue the development of a strong team that competes with pride. Together, we will strive for consistent success and long-term growth.”

Volleyball New Zealand General Manager of Performance, Colleen Campbell, acknowledged González Moreno’s impact across the National Team Programme.

“Seb was instrumental in key international planning, including the Chile tours for both the Volley Ferns and Volley Blacks in 2023, and consistently created opportunities for our athletes to compete and grow on the international stage,” Campbell said.

“Seb has put in a lot of energy and effort into our national programmes, providing athletes with consistent training environments and campaigns. We thank him greatly for his service, and we are excited to see him pursuing his goal of becoming a full-time professional coach.”

González Moreno is expected to arrive in early August to begin pre-season, marking an exciting new chapter in his career and another step forward for New Zealand Coaches, coaching on the international stage.

Volleyball New Zealand congratulates Sebastián on this opportunity and thanks him for his outstanding contribution to the Volley Ferns and Volley Blacks programmes. His impact on athletes, coaches, and the wider volleyball community has been significant, and we wish him all the best for this next chapter in Sweden.

Article added: Tuesday 28 April 2026