Running for 90 years

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This page was last edited on Tuesday, 27 June 2006

This website is hosted by Wellington Community Network, connecting people, community and ideas. WCN is supported by Wellington City Council.

Coaching contacts and linkages

by Angus Napier, Coaching Coordinator

In 2006, Scottish will continue to offer coaching seminars and guide those seeking coaching to the relevant club coach. Our philosophy is that it is a two-way system. Tell us what you want, we will do our best to help you, and please, give us feedback.

As a service to members, Wellington Scottish is pleased to provide complimentary coaching from our volunteer club coaches.

This page contains club members that we are currently aware of who are prepared to offer coaching (at various levels) to others. The write-ups mention something of their coaching philosophy, style and preferences. 

In addition, below the list of club volunteers are some links to some material internally generated in Scottish and also to some training programmes on the Internet. No guarantees come with the internet training programmes. Look them over and see if they have something that might work for you, and if you have a coach, please discuss them with your coach!

Scottish coaching contacts

Steve Plowman has been running competitively for more than 30 years and coaching for 20 years. He is a former nationally ranked 800m runner, whose career highlights include beating former world 5,000m record holder and Olympic silver medallist Dick Quax and racing against former world mile record holder John Walker. He has won at every distance from 800m to the marathon and is a former Oceania Masters 3000m steeplechase champion.  

He uses a mix of the methods he learned from world-renowned coach Arthur Lydiard, who was Steve’s coach for several years, with those of American-based Professor David L Costill, one of the world’s leading physiologists. Steve assists runners of all abilities - from absolute beginners to athletes who have won national titles and overseas races. His schedules aim to find a balance that suits the individual – in order for the runner to achieve his or her personal goals. He believes enjoyment, hard work, variety, adequate rest, perseverance and consistency are the keys to successful running.     

Steve can be contacted on 383-4115; or by Email at editor@policeassn.org.nz

James Hurring is able to offer advice on technique and style and general encouragement for race walking. He has walked for a number of years at the regional/national level but now only walks for general fitness. At this stage, he's not available to supply full training programmes, but he can give input into what needs to be included in one.

James can be reached by email at HurringJF@hotmail.com 

Rupert Watson is a Feldenkrais Practitioner who runs regular classes and occasional workshops that can improve running and walking technique for athletes of all levels.

Based on the "whole body" approach of the Feldenkrais Method, they are also very good for rehabilitating sad backs and keeping good ones strong.

Rupert is particularly interested in helping older athletes, like himself, to literally keep on the track/road/trail and continue enjoying and contributing to their sport - rather than wobbling off course with injuries that are often the result of poor posture and body use and don't really need to happen!

He also offers quality general health massage to club members at discount rates.

Rupert can be contacted on 801-6610 (Ghuznee Health Associates) or via email Rupert.Watson@paradise.net.nz

Matt Dravitzki believes that reaching your potential in distance running is about three things:

1. Consistency – training regularly for 6-7 days a week, week-in and week-out.
2. Balance – a balance in your training between long running, quality, hill work and R&R. This also requires a balance in your life style.
3. Enjoyment – if you don’t enjoy it, don’t do it! 

To contact Matt please either ring 479-2425 or via email matthew_dravitzki@westpac.co.nz

Todd Stevens uses his personal experiences from 20 years of competitive running and 15 years as captain of the club’s senior men’s A team to formulate his coaching programmes.

His approach to coaching is based on the Lydiard system and he believes in building a strong aerobic fitness base through long Sunday runs, a long mid-week run on the hills and a 20-30 minute tempo session each week. 

Todd also believes that running needs to be fun. A good programme finds a balance between doing the hard work necessary to achieve the goals and enjoying the training.

Todd has a particular interest in assisting the “average” club member to achieve their goals, be it a sub-1 hour 30 half marathon, a sub-3 hour 30 full marathon, or indeed just to complete a marathon. He likes constructing training programmes to incorporate other activities – for example, a weekly indoor netball game or a mountain-bike ride.

He is happy to speak to anyone regarding any assistance that he may be able to give. Please just think first about your medium- and long-term goals and how much time you are able to commit to training each week before contacting Todd on 479-5374 or via email at todd.stevens@nz.pwc.com

Don Dalgliesh’s coaching philosophy is based around two basic maxims:

1. The word is "training," not "straining," and
2. Training is like getting a sun tan ie a little bit each day is better than a lot every three or four days. 

Don’s coaching credentials are very impressive and include 35 years of practical experience. (Take a look at Don's profile on the Profiles page)

He believes in concentrating on building speed while athletes are young as you can always build stamina later in life. Restricting young athletes to low miles enables them to participate in other sports as well until they decide which sport they wish to specialize in.

He believes that swimming and cycling form a valuable part of training, enabling athletes to maintain fitness while unable to run. Also, these extra forms of training give variety to an athlete's training programme. To contact Don, please ring 473-9414 or email dondalgliesh@xtra.co.nz

Peter Wrigley's main interest is in the development of junior athletes, giving them the skills and knowledge to develop their talents and achieve performances that reflect the efforts in their training. He believes that junior athletes are the grass roots of our sport and their training is vital to growth at all levels and not just the elite. Check out his profile on the Profiles page.

He has a vast knowledge of the junior levels and would like to pass on his experience to any young athletes who want to improve their performances. 

Peter can be contacted at any of the club runs or any time during business days on 388-8288 or via pwriggles@paradise.net.nz 

John and Maryanne Palmer work closely together when formulating training programmes for athletes. Their aims are directed at those people wishing to take the first steps in preparing for either their first half or full marathon. 

Both John and Maryanne, as qualified B grade walking judges, are interested in becoming more involved in the coaching of race walkers.

Below are listed some of their ideals with regard to programmes:

1. To produce schedules specifically geared to the individual
2. To promote cross training and rest periods
3. To be involved with all aspects of training, including sports nutrition, psychology and physiology
4. To encourage the social and fun aspects associated with group training 

To contact either John or Maryanne, phone 479-2130 or email palmer.palace@xtra.co.nz

Other coaching resources