coaches
OUR
We have a base of experienced, regular coaches who work with us most years. The remainder of our coaches are sourced from the southern hemisphere and are selected not only on their coaching ability but just as importantly, their personality. It is of the utmost importance to our camps, that coaches are not only sociable but are fun for the kids to work with.
All coaches complete a comprehensive Rucksnmauls coaching course. All coaches are DBS/CRB checked and have completed a minimum of the New Zealand 1st level coaching course.
kim harris
head coach
"
Thank you for an enjoyable week. The coaches quickly gained the boys respect and taught them the importance of discipline on the pitch. They managed to deal well with boys of differing ages and ability, some adverse weather conditions and the inevitable minor injuries. My son is keen to go again next year.
"
Rucks N Mauls Founder
Nickname | Kimbo
Date of Birth | 17/08/1947
Home Town | Gisborne, NZ
PLAYING & COACHING CAREER
The contribution that Kim Harris made to Gisborne Boys’ High School rugby is difficult to measure, it was immense! Player, coach, teacher, organiser, pioneer, Harris was all that and much more, he was an institution. One of the most effective ways to measure his achievements are in numbers, they make for some impressive reading.
TEAM
National Top Four Appearances | 1991, 1993, 1994, 2000, 2001
National Top Four Winners | 1994
Condor Sevens Winners | 1994
World First XV Invitational Winners | 1994
Moascar Cup Holders | 1993-1995
INDIVIDUAL
4 All Blacks Coached | Hose Gear, Rico Gear, Chris Masoe and Jerry Collins
10 Maori All Blacks
4 Internationals who represented other countries
13 New Zealand Schoolboys
4 New Zealand u/20’s
Kim Harris is one of the great schoolboy rugby coaches. In the 1990s Gisborne were constantly one of the best schools in the country. The Gear brothers are among many of the fine players he has produced. In terms of achievements Harris pretty much won it all!
Occupation | Sports Coach /Teacher /Contractor /Land Owner.
Hobbies | Diving /Fishing /Gardening
Favourite Position on the Rugby Pitch | Fly Half
Favourite International Rugby Player | Richie McCaw
Person you’d least like to sit next to in changing room | Dylan Hartley
Your personal rugby highlight? Coaching the winning teams in both the World Schools Championship and the NZ Schools Championship.
GRAEME TORRIE
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An excellent way
for children to learn new skills. All while having a great time in a disciplined competitive atmosphere that the children enjoyed. Children of different abilities were welcomed. Knowing that the coaches were all CRB checked was reassuring.
"
Nickname | GT
Date of Birth | a while ago
Home Town | Gisborne, NZ
PLAYING CAREER
Ardmore Teachers College, Gisborne High School Old Boys Rugby Club,
Counties & Poverty Bay Provincial teams, Auckland Barbarians, New Zealand Teachers, Poverty Bay /East Coast Combined vs. Western Samoa, Japan, British & Irish Lions, South Africa.
coaching career
Gisborne Boy’s High School 1st XV
North Island Under 16
New Zealand Age Grade Selector
Poverty Bay Age Grade Selector /Coach
Gisborne High School Old Boys Rugby Club
Poverty Bay Provincial Team
Poverty Bay / East Coast Combined
An outstanding Playing career followed by an impressive coaching career. There’s not much that GT hasn’t achieved.
Occupation | Retired School Teacher
Hobbies | Rugby, fishing, horse racing (owner & punting), reading, gardening, socialising.
Favourite Position on the Rugby Pitch | Wing
Favourite International Rugby Player | Bruce Robertson, Ian Kirkpatrick, Jonah Lomu (All Blacks), Andy Irvine (Scotland), David Campese (Australia).
Best venue to watch an International match | West Pac stadium (The cake tin) Wellington, New Zealand
toby harris
"
I thought the
coaches did an excellent, professional job. Alastair increased in confidence and knowledge and had great fun.
"
Nickname | Mouse
Date of Birth | 21/12/1992
Home Town | Gisborne, NZ
COACHING CAREER
My rugby coaching career started with RucksNMauls back in 2015. But prior to 2015 I'd coached various other sports at a range of different levels, from young school kids to strapping young adults. Since moving to England I've been coaching at Ashville College in Harrogate. I am now a full time member of staff at Ashville and teach a range of sports to a range of different age groups.
Occupation | I am a teacher at Ashville College in the PE department.
Hobbies | Hockey, Rugby, Cricket, outdoor sports in general.
Favourite Position on the Rugby Pitch | Centre, because I get to make tackles as well as handling the ball a lot more than a winger.
Favourite Rugby Players | Daniel Carter, but current rugby player Ben Smith.
Your personal rugby highlight? | Playing for Rangataua RFC in Austraila and Fiji in Various 7's tournament.
Best venue to watch an International match | Twickenham, London
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Extremely knowledgeable and passionate about all aspects of rugby
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Add a different dimension to coaching from a southern hemisphere perspective
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Always patient, kind and understanding of the different abilities of the kids
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Make the course fun and entertaining whilst learning vital rugby skills
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Give feedback and constructive comments on the weeks activities
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Really engage with the kids help them develop skills and further their game
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Teach you a traditional New Zealand Haka
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