Focus on our Kristin Coaches

Kristin coaches

The sports programme at Kristin promotes a quality experience for all abilities. This spotlight on the coaches highlights some of the coaching staff here at Kristin. We are indeed very lucky to have the experience and quality that these coaches bring. We want our students no matter which team they play for, to want to continue playing the game, and of course staying physically active.

JAMES COUGHLAN AND KIRSTEN PEARCE

James has been the head coach of our Kristin 1st XI Girls’ team for the past six years. A former Black Stick, having played 76 test matches including the 2016 Olympics, James is a special coach, who loves coaching at Kristin, where his skill, passion and energy have seen our girls continue to perform at the highest level.

James has been joined in the coaching by Kirsten Pearce, herself a Black Stick who competed at the 2016 Olympics. This ‘dynamic duo’ continues to inspire our Kristin hockey players. We are all delighted to have such a quality coaching team involved with our Girls’ 1st XI.

JUAN LE MATIRE – CRICKET COACH

This season, Juan took over as head coach of the Kristin 1st XI and immediately instilled a passion and desire to work hard in all areas of the game. Juan has played and coached at an international level, leading the Tanzanian National team in 2017. He has coached in South Africa at various academies, clubs and high schools.

ANDY CLAY – HEAD OF FOOTBALL

Andy leads our Football programme and coaches the 1st XI Boys’ team, and is the assistant coach for the NZ Secondary Schools team. He has also coached the top women’s team for the Northern Football Federation. Andy is a qualified FIFA-level coach and has completed his “A Licence”; this is the highest coaching qualification available. In 2021 he will not only coach the 1st XI Boys’ team but also the Girls’ 1st XI. In addition, Andy is involved across the Junior School and coaches our Year 7 and 8 teams in the Harbour Zone Days. His skills and experience, along with his qualifications and passion for Football, benefits all our teams.

JULIE KELMAN POTU (JK)

K, as she is affectionately known, has been coaching our Premier Netball team for the past three seasons. She has played top-level Netball with the Northern Force Auckland Diamonds and Waikato teams. JK has previously coached and led sport at Mount Albert Grammar School. She has brought some steel to our Netball programme, which has seen our Premier Girls’ team qualify for the top North Harbour League for the last three seasons. She has ensured skills and drills have been adopted throughout the Netball programme at Kristin to improve performance across the school.