Papanui TocH Coaching

Coaching at PTocH is provided by a dedicated group of skilled and experienced coaches based around facilities at the club’s Papanui High School headquarters. Coaching is available to athletes on a first come first served basis, and some coaches currently have very full squads so it is worthwhile discussing your needs with the appropriate coach as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Subject to capacity constraints, our coaches welcome athletes from both Papanui TocH and other clubs, although members of other clubs will be charged a small facility fee (curently $5 per session or $40 for the season).

None of our Senior coaches are paid by the club and some ask their athletes for a small fee to help cover their costs. Most coaches focus their squads on senior athletes (14+) and younger athletes are encouraged to dicuss their coaching needs with the Junior Club Captain or the Coaching Convenor

Sprints and Hurdles Coaching

The Club is fortunate to have the experience of Bill Grogan to look after Senior sprinters and hurdlers. For many years the director of secondary school sport in Canterbury, Bill has now retired from the full-time position and is able to devote more time to coaching. He coaches on Sundays 10am-1pm.
His contact number is 027 435 4693

Vertical Jumps Coaching

As one of Christchurch’s top vertical jumps clubs, PTocH is pleased to offer the services of a range of nationally recognized coaches across both high jump and pole vault.

Brian Cowan offers high jump coaching throughout the summer season. Training sessions are Wednesdays 4:30-7 and Sundays 1:45-4
For pole-vaulters, the Club offers top level coaching provided principally by Bill Boyd and Tom Turner. Bill Boyd conducts sessions on Wednesdays 3:30-5:30 and Sundays 10-1, plus a beginner class on Tuesdays 4:30-6, while Tom Turner has Thursdays 4-5:30 and Sundays 1-2:30

Email Brian

Email Bill

Email Tom



Throws Coaching

Discus and Shot-put coaching at the Club is handled by Joden Pratten, a current competitor in both disciplines. Joden is available to seniors on Sunday afternoons.

Email Joden

Long Jump/Triple Jump Coaching

Brian Cowan runs horizontal jumps sessions at 12:45-1:45 on Sundays and 4:30-5:30 on Thursdays. 

Email Brian



Long sprints and Middle Distance Coaching

Dion Andrews runs a training squad focused on longer sprints (200m in support of 400m performance, 400m) and shorter middle distance (800m). This involves planned and structured year round training at a number of venues including but not limited to Sumner, Hagley Park and Nga Puna Wai. Timing and venue are built around the needs and availability of the squad members.

Email Dion

Middle and Long Distance Coaching

With a long history in cross country, road racing and middle distance track events, PTocH has a number of options for athletes looking for middle distance coaching.

Graeme Christey, Canterbury Community Coach of the Year 2018, looks after a substantial group of middle distance athletes, many of whom have placed in national competitions and achieved entry into high performance squads. His group competes both in winter cross country and road events and in summer track and field.

Email Graeme

Get involved in Coaching!

We are always looking for more coaches to join the team. If you are experienced in track and field, prepared to commit to the season and able to prepare athletes for New Zealand Secondary Schools and National Track and Field Champs then we need you coaching athletics.  Please feel free to contact the Coaching Convenor. The club can hook you up with an experienced coach as a mentor if you want help to get involved.