Triathlon New Zealand (Tri NZ) has confirmed that Greg Fraine has decided to continue his involvement with Tri NZ by accepting the role of National Head Coach for the High Performance Programme.
Fraine will work under the leadership of the new High Performance Director, Graeme Maw, and will be based predominantly at the High Performance Centre, the location of which will be established early next year.
Fraine has been the Tri NZ National Coach for the past 4 years and Maw is delighted that he will continue his involvement with Tri NZ within a new look High Performance Programme. This follows the Independent Review conducted prior to the London 2012 Olympic Games.
“I congratulate Greg on his on-going involvement as National Head Coach,” said Maw from England as he finalises his move to New Zealand in early December. “He undoubtedly has the necessary skills and experience to lead the coaching programme.”
Maw added, “Greg has earned the right through his past efforts to continue with Tri NZ in this new role, which will enjoy greater support than he has enjoyed before thanks to the implementation of the Independent Review recommendations, which also brings higher expectations in terms of performance and results.
“The establishment of my role as High Performance Director will free Greg to focus his expertise on day-to-day coaching to ensure Tri NZ’s Podium and Development athletes achieve their goals.”
Fraine is enthused at the opportunity to work with New Zealand’s best triathletes, as well as working in a new High Performance structure. “I am very excited about working for Tri NZ HPP,” he said. “The last 4 years have been a massive learning opportunity for me and the team I have worked with. Much of what has been identified in the 2020 review has been trialled in the past 4 years as we looked to change how NZ approached the ever changing sport of ITU triathlon.
“I love challenges and we have many but I feel confident that we now know more than ever what is required and how we can truly improve our chances of challenging the world in Olympic and international events. My role is to be part of the team that lifts athletes from where they are now to the Podium in Glasgow, Rio and beyond.”
Fraine continued, “The appointment of Graeme Maw as the new Tri NZ HPD will provide leadership to the programme; this leadership will enable the Tri NZ HP Programme and athletes to be clear on roles and responsibility for all. The biggest bonus for me personally will be the ability to solely coach HP athletes to achieve their goals.
“When I read our strategic plan the first thing to come into my head was ‘let’s get started’; the plan is a challenging, well researched, and robust document.”
Maw was well aware of Fraine’s reputation and work within the New Zealand High Performance Programme in recent years through his own involvement with the sport in Britain.
“Greg commands respect amongst his peers nationally and internationally, something I was well aware of before even considering the job as HPD with Triathlon New Zealand,” Maw said. “That respect was further emphasised by the work he carried out on the ITU Coaching Commission and has only been reiterated further since I accepted the role with Tri NZ.”
