Senior Coaching

Coaching at Papanui TocH is led by a dedicated team of skilled and experienced coaches, based at our Papanui High School headquarters. Coaching is available to athletes on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the popularity of some programs, certain coaches may have very full squads, so it's advisable to discuss your needs with the appropriate coach early to secure a spot and avoid disappointment.

Our coaches welcome athletes from both Papanui TocH and other clubs, subject to capacity. Athletes from other clubs will be charged a small facility fee (currently $5 per session or $40 for the season).

It's important to note that none of our senior coaches receive payment from the club. Some coaches may request a small fee from their athletes to help cover their costs. Most of our senior coaches focus on athletes aged 14 and older. Younger athletes interested in coaching are encouraged to discuss their needs with the Junior Club Captain or the Coaching Convenor.

At Papanui TocH, we are committed to providing high-quality coaching that helps athletes reach their full potential, whether they are training for competition or simply looking to improve their skills.

Sprints and Hurdles Coaching

We are fortunate to have Bill Grogan, a highly experienced coach, to lead our senior sprints and hurdles coaching. Bill has an extensive background in athletics, having served as the Director of Secondary School Sport in Canterbury for many years. Now retired from his full-time role, Bill is able to dedicate more time to his passion for coaching.  Bill conducts his coaching sessions on Sundays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

If you're interested in sprint or hurdle coaching under Bill's expert guidance, feel free to contact him directly at 027 435 4693.

Vertical Jumps Coaching

As one of Christchurch’s leading clubs for vertical jumps, Papanui TocH is proud to offer coaching from a selection of nationally recognized experts in both high jump and pole vault.

High Jump Coaching:

  • Brian Cowan provides high jump coaching throughout the summer season. Training sessions are held:

    • Wednesdays: 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm
    • Sundays: 1:45 pm - 4:00 pm

    For more information about high jump sessions, email Brian.

Pole Vault Coaching:

  • Bill Boyd offers pole vault coaching with sessions scheduled:

    • Wednesdays: 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
    • Sundays: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
    • Beginner Class: Tuesdays, 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

    For more information about pole vault coaching, email Bill.

  • Tom Turner also provides top-level pole vault coaching:

    • Thursdays: 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
    • Sundays: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

    For more information, contact Tom.

With such experienced coaches, Papanui TocH is well-equipped to help athletes excel in high jump and pole vault.

Throws Coaching

For discus and shot put enthusiasts, Papanui TocH offers expert coaching from Joden Pratten, a current competitor in both disciplines. Joden provides throws coaching for seniors on Sunday afternoons.

To get in touch with Joden or to join his coaching sessions, email Joden.

 

Long Jump and Triple Jump Coaching

Brian Cowan offers specialized coaching for long jump and triple jump. Sessions are held:

  • Sundays: 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm

  • Thursdays: 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm

To join Brian’s sessions or for more information, mail Brian.

Long Sprints and Middle Distance Coaching

Dion Andrews runs a specialized training squad for long sprints (200m, 400m) and shorter middle distance events (800m). Dion's coaching involves year-round, structured training sessions at various venues, including Sumner, Hagley Park, and Nga Puna Wai. The timing and location of sessions are tailored to meet the needs and availability of the squad members.

For more details or to join Dion’s training squad, email Dion.

Middle and Long Distance Coaching

Papanui TocH boasts a rich history in cross country, road racing, and middle distance track events. We offer a range of coaching options for athletes focused on middle and long distance.

Graeme Christey, named Canterbury Community Coach of the Year in 2018, leads a substantial group of middle distance athletes. Many of his athletes have achieved notable success in national competitions and gained entry into high-performance squads. Graeme’s training covers both winter cross country and road events, as well as summer track and field. 

To learn more or to join Graeme’s training group, email Graeme.

Get Involved in Coaching!

We are always looking for passionate and experienced coaches to join our team. If you have a background in track and field, are committed to the season, and are excited about preparing athletes for New Zealand Secondary Schools and National Track and Field Championships, we want to hear from you!  Whether you’re an experienced coach or looking to get started, the club can connect you with a seasoned mentor to help you get involved and thrive in coaching.

Interested? Please contact the Coaching Convenor to discuss opportunities and how you can contribute to our athletics community.