Announcement of Black Fins and Junior Black Fins Coach and Manager positions

Surf Life Saving New Zealand is pleased to announce the appointment of the Black Fins and Junior Black Fins Team Managers and Coaches who will head our 2019-20 campaign to the Lifesaving World Championships being held in Italy during September 2020.
 
Black Fins Team Manager – Steve Vaughan
Steve has an excellent track record as Assistant Manager for the last three Black Fins campaigns as well as leading teams to the last three Sanyo Cup events. Steve is therefore well qualified and well positioned to take over the role as Black Fins Manager from Mark Weatherall, who leaves the role after 8 years and so will provide great continuity and stability to the Black Fins team. 

Black Fins Coach – Matt Cairns
Matt lead the Junior Black Fins team to their first historic Life Saving Youth World Championships win in 2018 and was also a National Selector over 2017-18. He is also well qualified and well positioned to take over the role as Black Fins Coach from Jason Pocock, who like Mark Weatherall, will always be a hard act to follow.
 
Junior Black Fins Team Manager – Simone Spencer
Simone assisted as Assistant Team Manager and Support Coach during the successful 2018 campaign with the Junior Black Fins winning the Lifesaving Youth World Championships and has also represented New Zealand on the international stage in the beach events.  Simone brings a wealth of knowledge to the team across a broad range of areas in sport.

Junior Black Fins Coach – Zac Franich
Zac brings a high level of experience to the position with a history of involvement in Canoe Racing NZ's high performance programme, coach of SLSNR’s high performance programme as well as the Surf Sports Co-ordinator and Head Coach for Orewa since 2015.

Sanyo Cup Coach - Danny Morrison

Danny has lead the last three New Zealand Teams to Sanyo Cup in Japan as Coach and are delighted to have him back on board to do this again.  Danny has previously represented New Zealand at the World Games and been in New Zealand Development Squads in his youth.

For more information, please contact:

Mike Lord, Sport Manager
Phone 027 457 1025
Email mike.lord@surflifesaving.org.nz