New Zealand Team management positions announced

Surf Life Saving New Zealand is excited to announce further appointments to the New Zealand Team Management positions:

New Zealand Open Team Assistant Coach - Steven Ferguson
New Zealand Youth Team Coach - Jonelle Quane
New Zealand Youth Team Assistant Coach - Matt Sutton
New Zealand Youth Team Manager - Ange Johnston
New Zealand Youth Team Physio - Mike Ellis

Surf Life Saving New Zealand Sport Manager Mike Lord says it's great to have all of the management positions in place ahead of another busy year on the High Performance calendar.

"We have a great mix of people here to lead our New Zealand Open and Youth teams in the 2015-16 season, the majority of whom have already been part of successful world championship campaigns," he says.

Mr Lord says Steven Fergusson has one of the most impressive histories competing on an international stage, not only for surf lifesaving, but also as a dual Olympic representative in Kayaking and swimming. "Steven has proven his coaching ability as a club coach, bringing Piha up to be one of the top sporting clubs within SLSNZ and he will be a great addition to the New Zealand Open team," he says.

Steven joins Jason Pocock as Coach, Mark Weatherall as Manager, Steven Vaughan as Assistant Manager, Susan Pirret as Physio and Caroline Stuart as Doctor for the New Zealand Open Team.

As former assistant team coach of the New Zealand Youth team, Jonelle will take over the reins this year as coach of the Youth team. Mr Lord says it's a great step in the development pathway for her to continue working in this space. "Jonelle has a great understanding of the athletes from being a selector as well as a great understanding of the format of the World Championships," he says.

Also returning to the Youth management team is physio Mike Ellis. He has been involved in the Youth squad and team since 2011 and, like Jonelle, he has a wealth of knowledge of the surf lifesaving environment and world championships. "Mike's understanding of the athletes and providing some consistency to the squad is key to moving the team forward in their performance and support to the management team," says Mr Lord.

New to the Youth management team this season is Matt Sutton and Ange Johnston.

Mr Lord says Matt's natural ability in coaching, race tactics and race plans will be an asset to the Youth Team. "Matt is well respected as an athlete and coach and we are excited to have his involvement this season," he says.

Ange has had an extensive history as a team manager for Papamoa SLSC and taking teams to the Australian Pool Championships, Australian Surf Life Saving Championships and Lifesaving World Championships. Mr Lord says Ange's strong skill set with organizing and communicating with athletes, parents and management across numerous campaigns will be a great asset to the team.

For more information, please contact:

Lisa Honeybone, Media & Communications Specialist, SLSNZ
Phone 09 303 9335 or 0276 488 823
Email lisa.honeybone@surflifesaving.org.nz