Peter Pfitzinger - CEO

Pete has been with the Academy since its inception in 2000, serving as Performance Services Manager until taking the role of CEO in December 2004. An experienced exercise physiologist and coach, Pete represented the U.S. in the marathon in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics, is co-author of two books on training for distance runners and was a triathlon coach with the New Zealand Olympic Team in Beijing. Pete was on the Executive Board of Sport Science New Zealand from 1998 to 2004, and serves on Triathlon New Zealand's High Performance Advisory Group.

Jennie Coker -

Jennie moved here from the UK in 2007, and has since been based with Rowing New Zealand in Karapiro, combining her biomechanics research with regular technique analyses of their athletes. Jennie joined the NZASNI full time as the Rowing Performance and Technique Analyst in August 2010, having completed her PhD through AUT University under the supervision of Patria Hume. Her work involves analysing rowing force profiles, synchronised with video, in order to recommend changes to technique and boat set-up for improved performance.

Martin Dowson - NZAS Performance Director

Martin began with the NZASN in March 2005 after returning from working in Japan for 2 years with a company's rugby union team. Prior to Japan, Martin worked for seven years at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) as a senior lecturer in Sport Science and acted as manager of their Sports Performance Centre. Martin has also worked as a consultant for the following sports / teams - England rugby, Manu Samoa rugby, North Harbour rugby, Auckland cricket, NZ Soccer and NZ men's hockey. Martin has a Business Post-Grad Diploma, Masters in Physiology (Loughborough, UK) and a PE degree from Otago University. Martin is married and has two young boisterous boys!

Deslea Wrathall - Performance Services Consultant

Deslea has been appointed as Performance Services Consultant, based in Wellington and working closely with Martin Dowson and the Performance Services Team. A woman of many accomplishments, Deslea was a member of the 1982 World Champion White Sox and the 1992 World Championship winning Women’s Touch Team, was 2003 NZ Women’s Basketball Coach of the year and just last month coached Porirua to the NZ U 19 Basketball Championship. Deslea holds a Masters from Victoria University has services as Performance Services Manager for NZAS Central since 2004 and will continue to provide her outstanding support for NSO high performance programmes, carded athletes and coaches. Deslea starts on the 2nd July.

Rod Corban - Performance Services Consultant / Sports Psychologist

Rod Corban has just been appointed as the new Performance Services Consultant to be based in Auckland/Hamilton. Rod has been heavily involved as a lecturer in sports psychology at WINTEC as well as being the lead sports psychologist provider with Rowing and Bike NZ. He will begin his role on 1 October as Performance Services Consultant while still continuing to play a lead role with Rowing and Bike. We are working with WINTEC to ensure a smooth transition into this role and acknowledge our ongoing relationship with our consortium partner WINTEC.

Criss Strange - Athlete Services Consultant / Athlete Life Advisor

Criss graduated with a Graduate Certificate in Athlete Career and Education Management in April of 2002 and is a registered nurse with psychiatric endorsement with 25 years experience and qualifications in the fitness and rehabilitation industry. He is a former NZ Track & Field representative. Criss is based at the NZASNI house on Wintec’s Avalon Campus in Hamilton.

Susan Thomason - Athlete Life and Performance planning Manager

Susan holds a Masters in Counselling and a Post Graduate Certificate in Career Counselling for Elite Performers. Susan has also run a private counselling practice providing supervision, counselling and training. Susan has played and been involved in coaching and administration of basketball. She enjoys time with her family and is a keen supporter of her sons’ basketball and other activities. When relaxing she likes to cycle, walk, hike or kayak.

Gaye Bryham - Athlete Life Advisor

Gaye holds a Degree in Physical Education from Otago University, a Masters of Arts (Applied) in Recreation Administration (Victoria University) and the Graduate Certificate in Athlete Career and Education Management from the Australian Institute of Sport. Gaye started with the Academy in August 2000 and manages the ACE programme inthe northern region from 2000 - 2008. Gaye played representative squash for Otago, Wellington and Auckland as well as representative netball for Otago. Her current interests include cycling, kayaking and running.

Karin Adelinger-Smith - Athlete Life Advisor

Karin has a BA and an Advanced Certificate in Recreation Management from AUT as well as a Graduate Certificate in Athlete and Career Management. Karin joined the Academy in 2001 and has been working as an Athlete Life Advisor with athletes across a variety of sports for the last 6 years. In April 2007 Karin joined the Academy full time from her previous role with North Shore City Council. She is the mother to daughters Satori and Bianca, and son Benjamin. Karin is currently on maternity leave.

Tracey Paterson - Athlete Life Advisor / Athlete Services

Tracey is the Sports Performance Services Advisor for the Silver Ferns and NZ A, and NZ Hockey’s Support Services Manager. Tracey balances her time between the NZASN offices at MISH and Netball NZ. Much of her time is also spent at training camps and within the athlete training environment where time is focused on understanding the sport and athlete needs to direct support service activity.

David Slyfield - Athlete Performance Consultant

David began working in the newly created position of Athlete Performance Consultant in November 2008. In this role he works closely with a small group of athletes and their coaches to identify and resolve performance issues relating to their Olympic campaigns. David has assisted Olympic athletes as a conditioning coach for over 20 years and has been a support team member in four Olympic winning campaigns across four different sports. David is now into his third Americas Cup campaign as the conditioner for Emirates Team New Zealand, a position that he will continue alongside his Academy role.

Carolyn Donaldson - Athlete Life Advisor/Administrator

Carolyn joined NZASNI in 2004 and prior to that spent 14 years in the sales and marketing field. Carolyn has a Bachelor of Commerce, a Diploma in Home Science, and a Graduate certificate in Career Counselling for Elite Performers and Post Graduate Diploma in Science (Nutrition). She is currently part of the SESNZ Nutrition internship programme and is working towards her level 1 accreditation. In her spare time Carolyn enjoys keeping fit herself, following her 2 children with their sporting pursuits and spending time with family and friends

Jason Healy - Performance Analyst

Jason is the Performance Analyst at the NZASN based at the High Performance Coach Support Centre at the Millennium Institute of Sport and Health. A key element of Jason’s role is to run the Game analysis software (Sports Code and Game Breaker) for the NZASN and assist sports to integrate technology into their programme, so that it works effectively to enhance performance for athletes and coaches. He has been involved with sports coding and performance analysis for over 7 years, before joining the team on a more permanent basis.

Simon Pearson - Performance Biomechanist

Simon joined NZASNI as a full time biomechanist in May 2009, having been involved on a part time basis for a number of years. His role involves the analysis and adaptation of technique and movement patterns in order to maximise performance and/or minimise injury risk. Simon works across a wide range of sports but primarily Athletics, Yachting, Kayaking and Triathlon along with a role in developing sport-specific technologies for SPARC. He’s currently completing his PhD through Auckland University of Technology, which involved working with the Emirates Team New Zealand America’s Cup syndicate.

Tom Vandenbogaerde - Physiologist

Tom Vandenbogaerde works within the Swimming NZ High Performance Program based at the Millennium Institute. Tom has been a member of the support team for Swimming at the Beijing Olympics, and at the 2007 and 2009 World Championships. As Performance Monitoring Physiologist his key roles are to manage, develop and deliver sport science support to targeted swimmers and coaches. From Belgium, Tom has been in New Zealand for over 3 years. He has recently submitted his PhD on the Effects of Acute Nutritional Interventions on Athletic Performance, which he performed at AUT University under supervision of world-renowned physiologist and statistician Will Hopkins.

Matt Kritz - Strength and Conditioning Director

Matt joined the Team in February 2008 and has extensive experience working with elite athletes around the world. He spent two years in Japan improving the strength and power of elite Japanese swimmers. He was the Director of Athlete Performance for eight years at the University of California San Diego responsible for administering strength and power programming for over 600 athletes. Matt has been a strength and conditioning professional for the past eleven years with two masters degrees, one in sports medicine and one in sports management. He is a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) and a certified Olympic lifting club coach. Matt is currently achieving a PhD degree in sports science at Auckland University of Technology.

Paul Laursen - Performance Physiologist

Paul is the Academy’s Performance Physiologist, where he provides physiological support for a number of national sporting organisations. He holds a PhD in Exercise Physiology from the University of Queensland and is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Sport and Recreation at AUT University. His research interests include issues of concern to the endurance athlete, such as training intensity distribution, pacing, fatigue, thermoregulation, pre-cooling, and recovery from exercise. He is, himself, an avid triathlete, having now competed in 13 Ironman triathlons throughout the world.

Trent Lawton - Senior Strength and Conditioning Specialist

Trent Lawton has worked along side Australia’s World Class coaches since 1994 helping both elite and development athletes medal at World Championships, Commonwealth and Olympic Games. As the Senior Coach for Strength and Conditioning; at the Australian Institute of Sport, Trent worked with a range of national programs including rowing, cycling, athletics, volleyball and netball. Additionally, Trent coached one of Australia’s most successful paralympian weightlifters who silver medaled twice. Trent has a B. App. Sci (coaching) and accreditation as a level 3 Strength and Conditioning Coach.

Andy Barnett - Strength and Conditioning Specialist

Andy has recently arrived from North America to join our Strength & Conditioning Team. He brings a wealth of high performance experience and knowledge to NZ. With over 20 years of experience his work includes time with U.S. professional athletes including Coaching with the New York Giants (NFL). He also developed strength & power programmes, position specific speed and agility programmes for athletes in Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, and others. Andy was also a Strength and Conditioning Coach for Canadian Olympic Sports for 3 Olympic games and has worked with over 20 Gold Medalists. Andy started his Strength and Conditioning career at his Alma Mater, the University of Wyoming. Andy is a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA), a certified Olympic Weightlifting Coach and a Performance Enhancement Specialist (U.S. National Academy of Sports Medicine).

Brad Conza - Strength and Conditioning Specialist

Brad joined the Team full time in October 2007, after 4 years of working part time with the Academy as Physical Conditioner to Jan Cameron's High Performance Swim Squad. Brad is currently the Lead Physical Conditioner for Swimming NZ & NZ Football Ferns, and Sport Science Coordinator for Swimming NZ. Brad has worked as a consultant with a number of teams including North Shore Swimming, IAAF Oceania, North Harbour Rugby, NZ Waterpolo, East Coast Bays & Auckland City Football. Brad has a Bachelor & Post Graduate Diploma in Sport & Exercise Science from Auckland University. He is passionate about Sport & Life and is engaged to his partner Claire.

John Lythe - Strength and Conditioning Specialist

John joined the NZASNI in 2007 as our first full time sport scientist, having been a contractor for the previous 5 years. He has been the Lead Sport Scientist for Soccer (2003-2005) and Hockey (2004-2008) and is currently the Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach for Yachting, a role he has held for 6 years. John has Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Auckland in both Commerce (1994) and Sport Science (1997) as well as a Masters from AUT University in which he combined the areas of strength and conditioning, physiology and performance analysis in a project with the NZ Men’s Blacksticks. Other than Strength and Conditioning, John also manages the Spirometry and Recovery Centres and works as a Performance Planner. A additional and unique skill that is currently being used to maximum effect within the Academy is John’s ability to create custom excel spreadsheets for the management of athlete testing and training data, allowing for the sensitive and accurate monitoring of athlete

Mike McGuigan - Power Scientist

Prior to gaining his position with the New Zealand Academy of Sport, Mike was an Assistant Professor in Exercise Science at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in the US, and then a Senior Lecturer in Strength and Conditioning at Edith Cowan University in Australia. Mike has a PhD in Exercise Science from Southern Cross University, and a Bachelor of Physical Education with Honours from Otago University. Mike has also worked as a Strength/Power consultant for a number of national level sports including: Australian Rules football, Cricket, Rugby league and Soccer. He has conducted a large number of applied research studies in the areas of power development and monitoring, with many of them completed using high performance athletes. Mike is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist with distinction (CSCS,*D).

Daniel Healey - Senior Performance Nutritionist

Daniel M. Healey is a Sports Nutritionist working with the New Zealand Academy of Sport, North Island. In 2007 & 2008 Daniel was Consultant Nutritionist to the successful Australian Junior World Track Cycling Team. A keen Cyclist Daniel has trained Road, Track and Mountain Bike cyclists to success in UCI Professional Competition, National Titles and Junior World Championships. He is also coach to the 2009 Australian Open Road Cycling Champion. Daniel holds a Bachelor of Health Science and Masters of Science (Exercise Physiology & Nutrition) from the University of New South Wales. He is a Registered Nutritionist (R.Nutr), Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and Member of the Australian Association for Exercise and Sports Science (MAAESS).

Gavin Clearkin - Senior Performance Nutritionist

Gavin Clearkin has recently joined the NZASNI from the UK where he was employed by the English Institute of Sport (EIS) as a Performance Nutritionist from 2007-2010. During his time at the EIS Gavin worked as the Lead Performance Nutritionist for England Cricket, and more recently England Women’s Rugby, and GB Men’s and Women’s Hockey. Prior to this he also spent time working for the Scottish Institute of Sport based in Stirling. Originally from New Zealand, Gavin gained a Diploma in Fitness Centre Training from AUT and worked as a personal trainer in London for 3 years before moving to Australia in 2001 to study in Sydney. He graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics, and is one of the inaugural students to complete the 2 year International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Post-Graduate Diploma in Sports Nutrition. Gavin worked as a consultant dietitian/sports nutritionist in Sydney before returning to the UK to pursue a career as a full-time sports nutritionist.

Antonio Cala - Aquatics Biomechanist

Antonio joined NZASNI as a aquatics biomechanist in December 2008, after working with triathlon and swimming national teams in Spain. He also worked at the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) as a lecturer in Swimming. Now, his role involves the underwater analysis of swimmers and triathletes technique’s. Antonio is currently completing his first PhD in triathlon, and starting a new one in swimming at Auckland University of Technology. Outside of work, Antonio loves to travel and to discover new places in the world.

Stephen Hotter - Strength and Conditioning Specialist

Stephen joined the NZAS in November 2008 and brings with him 15 years of Strength and Conditioning experience. Stephen completed a Diploma in Exercise Science with Distinction at the CIT in 1994. Most recently Stephen was employed by the Wellington Rugby Union for 4 years as a Strength and Conditioning Coach to the Wellington Lions, also working for 3 years with the Wellington based Super 14 Franchise “The Hurricanes” and delivered the conditioning programme to the Hurricanes contracted All Blacks prior to the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Stephen also played First Class Cricket for the Wellington Firebirds between 1989 and 2000.

Daniel Lavipour - Strength and Conditioning Specialist

Daniel is a BSc (hons) Sports and Exercise Science graduate of Liverpool John Moores University in the UK, and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS). He is currently studying for his MPhil degree in the areas of, sports science and physical conditioning at Auckland University of Technology. Outside of work Daniel is a competitive 400m runner and is a current national medal winner.

Graeme Robson - Coach Performance Manager

Graeme was a former international badminton player and National Coach for Badminton NZ from 1995 – 2002. In his coaching career he has been a volunteer, part-time and full-time coach so understands the demands of each position. In his former life, Graeme was an Exercise Physiologist so can provide good support in integrating performance services into a coaching programme. He has managed the Coach Support Program for the regional Academy since 2003 but still works one on one with coaches from a variety of sports. Graeme is especially strong in the planning area and also has a good understanding in the use of technology in coaching.

Bruce Blair - Coach Performance Advisor

Bruce Blair was appointed in January 2007 as the Coach Advisor for the Waikato / BOP region. He has filled the roles of Head Coach of the State Northern Knights and Assistant Coach for the Blackcaps on their tour of India in 2003. Currently Bruce works with the NZ Women’s Team as Assistant Coach and does some one on one work with ND and Blackcap players. Bruce played for New Zealand (1982-86) and also represented his province at Soccer & Golf. Bruce has a passion for Coaching and is a student of the learning process.

Lynda O'Cain - Coach Performance Advisor

Lynda has been a volunteer softball coach for over 20 years including head coach of the Czech Republic Woman’s team and 10 years with the NZ Junior team as both head and asst. coach and has attended 1 Senior and 3 Junior World Championships. Lynda is an ex NZ Softball rep and played at the top level for numerous years. She began working in coaching at the Hillary Commission and then joined the Academy team after 3 years as the Regional Manager at Netball North. She is particularly interested in how people learn and applying leadership principles within a coaching context. Lynda has a Diploma in Business, and has interests in music, travel and the outdoors.

Alex McKenzie - Coach Performance Advisor

Alex joined the Academy of Sport in October 2008 in a dual role as Coach Accelerator Manager and Coaching Services Advisor for the lower North Island. Alex has a PhD in sport psychology from the University of Victoria in Canada, and taught for 10 years at the School of Physical Education at Otago University. He was the Professional Development Manager for the Highlanders and Hurricanes Super Rugby franchises for six seasons before joining New Zealand Post as a Team Development Specialist. He has been coaching rugby for the past 20 years at various levels.

Paul Smith - High Performance Advisor

Paul joined the NZASNI team in May 2009. His role focuses on attracting, developing and retaining key coaches and HP Directors. Paul has had 8 years experience in High Performance leadership roles, most recently as a Performance Consultant in SPARC’s High Performance Team, and previously as High Performance Manager for Tennis NZ, and Bowls NZ. Paul worked with many Olympic athletes and coaches over his 10 years as a sport psychologist and was the NZ Olympic Team Sport Psychologist at the 1996 Olympic Games and sport psychologist for a variety of sports at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and at the 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games. He’s coached cricket for 16 years including co-coach to the NZ U19 Cricket Team at the U19 World Cup in 2000. Paul is passionate about people and performance. He enjoys, but can’t play golf and has entered (but not started) the Coast to Coast.

Chris Kirman - PMAS Scholarship Manager

Chris came on board with the NZ Academy of Sport North in August 2004 after working at Adidas Sports Medicine for four and a half years. Chris brings a wealth of knowledge to the NZASN team with her experience working in A&E clinics and the medical industry. Earlier this year, Chris attended an 8 day leadership Outward Bound course and after her experience "in the bush" she is now moving on to bigger challenges training for the upcoming Auckland Half Marathon with fellow NZASN team member Andrea Oades. Chris also keeps busy keeping up with her two children and their sporting committments and hobbies in her spare time.

Michelle Enright - Finance Manager

Michelle joined the Academy in November 2001 after 7 years as Finance Manager with Netball New Zealand. Her background also includes finance roles with Dominion Breweries, Pepsi-Cola, and a UK based software company and work in the Business Services section at PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Michelle particularly enjoys the unique challenges of the finance function within the sporting environment and enjoys following her 2 children in their sporting pursuits and time spent at the beach.

Andrea Oades - Assistant Accountant

Andrea joined the Academy in June 2002, after working in an administration role with College Sport. She holds a Bachelor of Business Studies majoring in Sport Management from Massey University. Andrea has a keen interest in the development of sports and active lifestyles, and enjoys running and going to the gym herself.

Deb Douglas - Administration Manager

Deborah joined the Academy in January of 2002, initially as the Administration Manager. She has since had two children and returned in 2005 to work with the Coaching Support Team. She has a background in office administration and office management. Deborah is passionate about sport; she has been involved in netball and softball for 28 years as both a player and as a coach.

Carmel McGinn - Administration Assistant

Carmel joined NZASNI permanently in June 2005 after temping for us since October 2004. She returned to NZ in January 2004 after living in London for 13 years where she was a PA to three Haematology Consultants at the National Blood Service. Carmel goes to the gym and enjoys yoga. She is married with two cats and her spare time is spent at Kaiaua where with her husband they have built a kit-set house and are now enjoying the fruits of their labour.

Holly Thompson - Performance Services Administrator

Holly is based full time in our MISH office she takes care of a variety of roles, working with our Administration, Performance Services and Coaching teams. She has completed a Business degree, majoring in Sport Business Management, at Massey University. Holly has a keen interest in sport; and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Sophia Donnelly - Administration Assistant

Sophia joined NZASNI in July 2009. She is completing a Business degree at Massey University, majoring in Sport Business Management and Marketing Communication. Sophia is a keen equestrian, spending her spare time competing and coaching. Throughout the winter months she is heavily involved in snow-sports. Sophia also enjoys travel, music, and spending time with family and friends.

Sharon Hewitt - Office Manager Wellington

Sharon joined the NZASNI team in Wellington as Office Manager in September 2008. She is passionate about sports, with a focus on football, having been a volunteer with her local club as a Junior Manager, Grade Manager and occasional coach, and Women’s Club Captain over the past 15 years. Sharon is looking forward to bringing her experience into her role in the Wellington Office

Julie Jorgensen - Communications Co-ordinator

Julie has a BBS majoring in Sport and Human Resource Management. She has also has a Post graduate certificate in Career Counselling for Elite Performers (Sport). Julie worked for NZASNI for 4 years as an Athlete Life Advisor before focusing on marketing. She represented NZ in Boardsailing for 12 years as well as coaching sailing at international level. Julie is also passionate about triathlon competing at age group level and has two boys Markus and Rhys.

Warwick Nicoll - Former Registrar, University of Auckland

Eden Park Trust Board (Chairman), Eden Park Board of Control (Trustee Representative), Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) (Fundraising Manager)

Barrie Mabbott -

Hi Prop 2000 Ltd (Director), Hi Lift Cranes Ltd (General Manager), Auckland Rowing Regional Performance Centre (Director), Auckland Rowing Association (Vice President)

Kevin Smith -

Judith McKay - Executive Director Finance and Development, AUT

Auckland University of Technology (General Manager – Finance & Resources)

Merran Davis - Industry Fellow of Innovation Business Development Unit

Waikato Institute of Technology (Dean), Movement Metrics Ltd (Director), Innovation Enterprises Consulting Ltd (Director), McKenzie Centre Trust (Member Board of Trustees)

Mike Stanley - CEO, Millennium Institute of Sport & Health

Millennium Institute of Sport & Health CEO, NZ Olympic Committee (Board Member), Rowing NZ Board Member, NZ Olympic Foundation Trustee and Karapiro 2010 Rowing World Championships Committee Member

Paul Cameron -

Sport Wellington Region CEO, Halberg Trust Executive Board member and SCANZ Board member

Paul Veric -

Surf Life Saving New Zealand Consultant – Organisational Development