We are proud to announce our 2023 coaching team here at Hikurangi RFC. Our seniors coaching squad will be led by Head Coach Cory Abraham this coming season. Cory will be supported by Assistant Coach (Attack) Jared Hemara, Assistant Coach (Attack) Cameron Pene, Assistance Coach (Analyse, Defence & S&C) Jon Renes, Trainer (S&C) Katie Woodhouse, and Premier Manager Rowan Lawson. We caught up with our coaches to find out how they got in to coaching, where they gained their experience and what they want to achieve with Hikurangi RFC in 2023! Read on to find out more.
Cory Abraham - Head Coach
How did you get into coaching ?
Through two good mates of mine in 2014
What’s is your coaching experience?
I’ve coached IMB rugby for 4 years and have now been coaching senior rugby for the last 3 years.
What do you hope to achieve this year with Hikurangi?
The mission is to make the top 4 next year but it’s also important to maintain our vision of developing a supportive culture where players feel supported and feel part of the Hikurangi RFC family. I also want to make sure we have all the right support systems/tools in-place to help those players looking for higher honours in their rugby careers.
Jared Hemara - Assistant Coach (Attack)
How did you get into coaching ?
I first got involved with coaching back in 2015-ish with Hora Hora JMB. It was about a 4 year journey for us as a team, before things like girls, first XV and Fortnite came into the picture. I took a step back from it, always with the intention of getting back into it and then covid hit. What I'm really pleased to see now, is some of the boys that I knew when I started coaching are now starting their own journey in senior rugby, which I am excited to be a part of.
What’s is your coaching experience?
When it comes to coaching senior rugby, and with the way the game has changed since I first started, I can honestly say I have very little experience. BUT, I do believe that the principles of coaching are still relevant, and I’m confident that I can bring an engaging way of teaching and learning with me.
What do you hope to achieve this year with Hikurangi?
My goal for 2023 is to introduce a fresh, new approach to the way we attack. We will create, learn, and develop it together. We will own it and be held accountable for our actions as one. This will be delivered under the philosophy’s and values that have been put in place.
Cameron Pene - Assistant Coach (Attack)
How did you get into coaching ?
I started coaching in the touch rugby space. I was keen to coach senior teams and really wanted to try myself in and around the rugby scene and was fortunate to be recruited to assist Cory.
What’s is your coaching experience?
In addition to touch rugby, I have spent 1 year as a trainer/assistant for Hikurangi RFC.
What do you hope to achieve this year with Hikurangi?
I hope to achieve a welcoming and warm positive culture within the club, with the team learning from me and myself learning from them. I hope to bring positive energy, always.
Katie Woodhouse - Trainer (S&C)
How did you get into coaching ?
I studied Personal Training in 2021 and began coaching at Extraordinary Skin and Body in Kamo shortly there after as Junior Coach and eventually became Head Coach in 2022.
What’s is your coaching experience?
I specialize in Strength Training and Boxing so anything with a Barbell and Boxing gloves - I'm there. I also love coaching Weightlifting as well as Crossfit style workouts as that's where I originally began my fitness journey back in 2015 at House of Training (orginally Far North Crossfit back then).
What do you hope to achieve this year with Hikurangi?
I'm hoping to help Hikurangi make some ground in their overall fitness and wellbeing going into the new season for them to take onto and off the field.