Coaches from New Zealand and Australia completed the 2026 FIH Level 3 Coaching Course, strengthening the performance coaching network across the Oceania region.
Throughout May and June, Hockey New Zealand led the delivery of an FIH Academy Level 3 Coaching Course, providing an internationally recognised coach development opportunity for current and aspiring performance coaches from across New Zealand and the wider Oceania region.
The FIH Level 3 Coach Award is designed for coaches operating in advanced competitive and performance environments. The programme focuses on applying contemporary coaching theory, leading performance athlete and team environments, demonstrating reflective and evidence informed practice.
The programme was delivered through a blended learning approach, combining online learning with practical, applied coaching experiences. This enabled coaches from across New Zealand and Australia to access international expertise while also engaging in face-to-face collaborative learning.
The 2026 programme included:
• Four live online Level 3 course sessions delivered throughout May.
• Four specialist workshops covering Power of Principles, Session Design, Game Analysis and Integrating Goalkeepers.
• A three-day face to face learning and assessment experience in Auckland from 13 to 15 June, alongside the FIH Nations Cup.
In total, 16 coaches each completed close to 50 hours of learning, discussion, observation, reflection and assessment.
FIH Educators
The course was led by experienced FIH Educators Amy Ryan (Australia) and Jude Menezes (New Zealand), with additional international educators supporting selected online content.
Image: FIH Educators Jude Menezes and Amy Ryan in action
NZ-based Course participants:
Louis van Dyk (Bay of Plenty), Ben Tanner (Waikato), Mel Aiken (Tauranga), Jayvant Dhanjee (North Harbour), Rocio Gonzalez Canda (Auckland), Rory Crawford (Canterbury), Matthew Witheford (Hawkes Bay), Stu Pitu (Waikato), Thornton McDade (Auckland), Tracy Edmonds (Bay of Plenty), Joe Hanks (Hawkes Bay), Toni Wright (Northland), Mark Page (Tauranga), Nathan Fouhy – online only (North Harbour).
Australia-based course participants:
Jesse Beeson, Tom Brown, Greg Steele (connection to PNG).
Impact and Coach Feedback
Participant feedback highlighted the value of learning alongside other experienced coaches, engaging in meaningful reflection, and observing high performance environments and coaches in action.
The programme contributed to Hockey New Zealand's wider performance coaching priorities by providing development opportunities for coaches operating within regional, franchise and national pathway environments.
It also brought together coaches and educators from New Zealand and Australia, strengthening Trans-Tasman connections and developing performance coaching capability across the Oceania region.
Acknowledgements
Hockey New Zealand acknowledges the support of FIH Academy, course educators Amy Ryan and Jude Menezes, the wider educator team, and all participating coaches who contributed to the success of the Level 3 Coaching Course. A special thanks to Sjoerd Marijne, Head Coach of India Women, and David Passmore, Head Coach of USA Women, for sharing their knowledge with the course participants.
Hockey New Zealand also acknowledges the New Zealand Olympic Committee and Olympic Solidarity for their funding support, which helped make this international coach development opportunity possible.
Image: Coaches watching the FIH Nations cup as part the FIH Level 3 Coaching Course
