OUR COACHES
NCSRT also runs three coaching teams, with each pair of coaches visiting schools across North Canterbury on a regular basis. These coaches work with children across all year groups to help them develop fundamental movement and sport-specific skills that will last with them for life.
Liam Connelly
Age: 23
Hometown: Christchurch
Qualifications: Bachelor of Sports Coaching (BSpC) Majoring in Leadership– University of Canterbury
Experience: 3 years Primary School Coaching, 1 year Rep Basketball Co-Ordinator
Hobbies / Interests: Basketball, Basketball, More Basketball
Personal statement: Liam spent 3 year at the University of Canterbury attaining his Bachelor in Sport Coaching whilst majoring in Leadership. He then joined the team at NCSRT and has been there ever since. Liam also has a passion for playing and coaching basketball. As a player, he currently plays for the University of Canterbury Premier team. As a coach, he has experience coaching a number of South Island Representative teams, and is also employed as the Basketball Co-Ordinator at Rangiora High School.
Lisa Rooney
Age:Early 30s
Hometown: Timaru
Qualifications: Bachelor of Physical Education (BPhEd) - University of Otago
Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (PGDipTchg) – University of Otago
Experience: 5 years Primary School Coaching, 1 year Secondary School Teaching
Hobbies / Interests: Basketball, indoor netball, swimming.
Personal statement: Lisa completed her Bachelor degree in Physical Education at the University of Otago. She followed this up with a year at Teachers College where she obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching. Lisa spent a year teaching PE and Health at Logan Park High School in Dunedin, before heading overseas to be a specialist counsellor at a Summer Camp in New Hampshire. She has been with the Sports Trust since 2014.
Lisa has also coached North Canterbury basketball rep teams and has been a member of the Canterbury Basketball Association Board since 2015.
Jesse McLay
Age: Late 20’s
Hometown: Christchurch
Qualifications: Bachelor of Sport and Recreation Management (BSRM) majoring in Tourism Management
Experience: 1 Year Primary School Coaching, 1 Year Personal Training
Hobbies / Interests: Rugby, Power lifting, Tramping, Surfing, Snow Boarding and long walks along the beach.
Personal statement: Jesse spent three years at Lincoln University attaining his bachelor in Sport and Recreation Management whilst majoring in Tourism Management on a Rugby Scholarship. After his studies he then moved to Taranaki chasing his rugby dream to play professionally, followed by heading to Tasman years later on contract. He played for the wider training squads in both provinces. He now resides back in his hometown coaching for NCSRT and personal training at Oxford gym.
Craig Oliver
Age: 23
Hometown: Rangiora
Qualifications: Professional Mountain Bike Association Certificate (PMBI)
Swimming New Zealand Swim Teacher Award (SNZ STA)
Experience: 6 Months Coaching and Guiding at Christchurch Adventure Park. 2 Years Swim Coaching.
Hobbies / Interests: Mountain Biking and Tramping.
Personal statement: Craig spent 5 years racing on the mountain bike world cup circuit, while working part time as as a swim coach to fund his travels. He then worked at Christchurch Adventure Park as a coach/guide and ran there school holiday program. As well recently joining the coaching crew at the trust, he has recently on a role at the North Canterbury Cycling Club as Jr Development Officer.
Jesse Rawlings
Age: 22
Hometown: Picton
Qualifications: Bachelor of Sports Coaching (BSpC) – University of Canterbury
Experience: First year Primary School Coach
Hobbies / Interests: Football, Any Other Sport, Long Romantic Walks on the Beach
Personal statement: Jesse has spent 3 years at University of Canterbury, completing a Bachelor of Sports Coaching, and has recently joined as a Primary School Sports Coach at North Canterbury Sport and Recreational Trust. Jesse coaches the Universities AFC Men’s Premier League squad in his spare time, and is studying a Masters of Sport and Exercise through AUT.
Dan Clark
Age: 23
Hometown: Poole, England
Qualifications: Bachelor of Sports Coaching (BSpC) – University of Canterbury
Experience: First year Primary School Coaching, Coaching junior football programs
Hobbies / Interests: Football, Any Other Sport and Travelling
Personal statement: Dan spent 3 years at the University of Canterbury and was rewarded a Bachelor of Sports Coaching and has recently joined as a Primary School Sports Coach at North Canterbury Sport and Recreation Trust. Dan has also spent the past 4 years working with Canterbury United as the Performance analyst for the National League Franchise. He is now continuing his study through a Masters In Sports Science at University of Canterbury.
