February 2026 Issue
Koutou ngā matanga nō te ao hākinakina, tēnā koutou,
Welcome to the Feb 2026 edition of Coaches Kōrero.
Coaches Kōrero was established to create a forum to connect, support and celebrate our Performance Coaching Community in New Zealand.
In this issue, we profile Black Sticks Hockey coach Shea McAleese and Netball coach Jo Morrsion who last year went on a study trip to Europe.
We also have an article from our financial advisors, Penberthy, on New Zealand’s Mortgage Market Update – What Borrowers Should Be Thinking About Now.
Te Korowai’s year has started, with our first members’ webinar where our guest was Dathan Ritzenhein, coach of Geordie Beamish. If you would like to get a copy of the recording, please make contact with Andrew.
Our next webinar is with Mike Cron, legendary All Black Assistant Coach, on Tuesday Feb 10 at 7.30pm.
You will have received either our Members Survey or our Coaches Survey. We would appreciate you completing this as it gives us great insight into the needs of the coaching community.
Click here to access the coached survey link.
Finally, we request your support in providing introductions to potential funders. For our sustainability, we need to grow our revenue base. If you know of, or have a relationship with, a potential funder, sponsor or donor, we would love to hear from you.
Wishing you a highly successful and rewarding 2026
Ngā mihi,
Tom Willmott
Chair
Shea McAleese
Shea McAleese spent over 15 years competing at the highest level of international hockey, representing New Zealand 320 times and playing at four Olympic Games. Today, his passion is focused on helping the next generation grow, both on and off the turf.
“I’m still very new to coaching, and that’s what I love about it. I get to learn something every day and find ways to get better.”
Born and raised in Hawke’s Bay, Shea first picked up a hockey stick near the end of primary school. His older brother had joined a team at Napier Intermediate. He had been playing football as a goalkeeper and got asked to try on the pads. That moment sparked something for Shea.
Jo Morrison
Jo Morrison’s coaching inspiration comes from all over the world. And a recent study trip to Europe has inspired the netball coach more than ever.
The former Silver Fern was given funding through the Te Hāpaitanga programme, which provides opportunities for women in high performance sport coaching. Morrison chose to use her scholarship money to tour around Europe, visiting various sporting organisations and coaching environments to learn from them.
Starting in London with the Harlequins Women’s rugby team, it was a “jam-packed” month for Morrison.
New Zealand’s Mortgage Market
Update – What Borrowers Should Be
Thinking About Now
We’re continuing to see meaningful change across New Zealand’s residential lending market. With interest rates lower than they were a year ago and a large portion of lending due to reprice, now is an opportune time to review whether your mortgage structure is still working as hard as it should
Here’s our current view of the market.
