Athletics New Zealand is pleased to present a series of Masterclasses for coach development, led by some of New Zealand’s most accomplished High-Performance coaches. These sessions offer a unique opportunity to learn directly from coaches working at the elite level across multiple athletics disciplines.
Dathan Ritzenhein – Te Korowai & Athletics New Zealand โ Webinar
Focus Areas:ย Consistency Over Complexity – ย Building Champions Through Simple Principles.
Interviewee:ย Dathan Ritzenhein
Date & Time: Thursday 15th January 2026, 7.30pm
Dathan Ritzenhein is a three-time USA Olympian and former American record holder for 5000mโs and a former Bronze medallist at the World Half Marathon Championships. Since retiring in 2020, Dathan has moved to coaching. He is currently the coach of Geordie Beamish, who won gold at the World indoor championships in 2024 in the 1500m and at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships last year in the 3000m steeplechase.
Known for his athlete-centred approach and ability to develop young professionals into world-class competitors, Ritzenhein represents the new generation of distance running coaches who blend scientific training principles with strategic race planning and strong team culture.
Meeting ID: 414 459 061 837 70
Passcode: Ej9v8Dh7
Short Track Championships & Potts Classic:ย Saturday 17 January 2026
Focus Areas:ย Training periodisation, technical development, performance optimisation
Guest Presenter: Mike Schofield.
Learn from one of New Zealand’s leading high performance coaches. Mike’s systematic approach to training methodology and athlete preparation provides practical frameworks applicable across all event groups.
Cooks Classic: Friday 23 January 2026
Focus Areas:ย Elite athlete development, mental preparation, competitive strategy
Guest Presenter: Craig Kirkwood & Rod Dixon ONZM
Join two legendary figures in New Zealand athletics.
Craig Kirkwood brings extensive experience in high performance coaching and athlete development, while Rod DixonโOlympic bronze medalist and world-class distance runnerโshares insights from his remarkable athletic career and subsequent coaching journey.
Sir Graeme Douglas International:ย Sunday 8 February 2026
Focus Areas:ย Athlete development systems, coaching philosophy, practical applications
Guest Presenter: James Mortimer
James Mortimer has earned a reputation as the country’s premier sprint coach. With over a decade of coaching experience, James has guided multiple athletes to national championships and World Championship representation. Learn from a coach with deep experience in developing athletes through the performance pathway to international competition.
Porritt Classic: Sunday 15 February 2026
Focus Areas:ย Technical and competition preparation
Guest Presenter: James Sandilands
James Sandilands is the coach behind Olympic champion Hamish Kerr’s historic Paris 2024 gold medal in high jump, New Zealand’s first-ever Olympic medal in the event. James brings expertise as both a performance technique analyst and strength and conditioning coach.