Coaching
Rozie Robinson
Rozie represented New Zealand in the 2010-2012 Oceania Championships. Now a mum of not only Izabel but a squad of next generation race walkers. She coaches beginners through to New Zealand representatives, including 2022 national u18 champions, Jonah Cropp and Molly O'Reilly, along with senior champ, Courtney Ruske.
Rozie is always happy to help those of all ages from around New Zealand in person or online.
Damian Blocki
Damian is an Athletics NZ accredited coach who brings a wealth of international experience to the Auckland youth race walking squad he coaches. He creates a training environment which not only prepares athletes for national competitions but creates long term health benefits beyond the track. Damian has trained as a physical education teacher in Poland and also is interested in coaching endurance running.
Damian's high performance background includes representing Poland at various major championships including 2017 World Champs in 20km and 2016 World Cup in 50km race walk.
Alana Barber
Alana competed at the 2016 Olympic Games and won a silver medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the 20km race walk.
Now retired from competing, she is an Athletics NZ community coach based in Auckland. She runs a squad with her partner Damian Blocki, where they use their international experience to teach juniors and young adults the correct technique and prepare them for national competitions.
Alana hopes to provide pathways to a high performance level for those who wish to focus their energy on pursuing race walking further.
John Bowden
John is an Athletics NZ Accredited Coach specialising in race walk, middle and long distance. He is a World Athletics Level 1 Coach Educator.
John was a middle/distance distance athlete, who represented New Zealand at 4 World Cross Country championships, the Commonwealth Games, attended 2 World University Games and was part of the New Zealand World Record 4 x mile relay team.
He coaches a squad of approximately 18 athletes from late teens to adults throughout New Zealand and overseas. Some of his past and current athletes have represented New Zealand, while others are national medallists or social athletes. He is always guided by the athlete's wishes and goals. This might be just to get fit, attain personal bests, achieve national honours or represent New Zealand on the world stage!
John is Tauranga based and available to help those of all ages from around New Zealand and overseas, in person or online.
Gary Little
Gary began coaching in late ‘70s in Cambridge, both runners and race walkers. In the ‘90s, he professionally operated a running and race walking fitness company that coached a number of ANZ registered and non-registered athletes. He has also produced the Athletics New Zealand Level II Coaches Education Manual. Gary is currently only advising a couple of race walkers in NZ and coaching a race walker in Germany.
Gary (self-coached) competed in a number of overseas events at both open and masters grades, including the IAAF 1991 and 1993 Race Walking World Cup. He won, on one occasion, a USA open state championship in Alaska along with another open grade race in Oakland, California. He currently still holds a number of masters world records and in 1992, set a New Zealand Allcomers, National & Resident Record for the 2 Hour Race Walk.
Hamish Meacheam
Hamish is an Athletics NZ Accredited Coach specialising in sprints, middle and long distance, he is a World Athletics Level 2 coach in these events, as well as a World Athletics Coach Educator.
Hamish was a middle distance athlete who dabbled in Race Walking, (15:02 for 3000m). He coaches a squad of approximately 12 athletes from the late teens to adults. About half of the squad are international athletes, and the other range from national medalists through to very social athletes.
Hamish is not a specialist Race Walking coach, but is North Shore, Auckland based and provides a supportive squad environment. He is open to co-coaching arrangements.
Mark Harris
Mark has a desire is to have fun as a coach while creating an environment that allows you to learn, perform and be the best you can be in sport. His experience and knowledge is from years of competing and representing New Zealand and learning from the best coaches in the world. Mark is based in Masterton and currently coaching Lucas Martin. He is happy to assist anyone from around New Zealand.
Marks is an Athletics NZ Approved Coach, Get Set Go Coach, Run Jump Throw Coach and Lecturer, World Athletics L3 Sprints and Hurdles, World Athletics L1, L2 and L3 Lecturer and Trainer, Sport WLG Coach Trainer, Athletics NZ Distance, Sprints, Jumps, Throws Coach.