The Future Champions programme provides mentoring, personal development sessions and comprehensive workshops for emerging athletes from Taranaki.

Sport Taranaki works with the Taranaki Secondary Schools Sports Association to offer the Future Champions programme to recognise, acknowledge and support the development of  high-performing, emerging Taranaki athletes.

Future Champions provides mentoring, personal development sessions and comprehensive workshops to assist selected athletes to fulfill their potential.  

Workshops cover topics including:

  • Nutrition
  • Performance psychology
  • Leadership
  • Injury prevention
  • Mental skills
  • Media skills
  • Strength and conditioning
  • Stretching and breathing
  • Drug free sport

Coaches and parents are involved in this holistic programme supported by experts in their field.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Steve ‘Coach’ McKean legacy honoured​​​​​​​

While best known nationally as a basketball coach, locally McKean reached thousands of young people through teaching at Spotswood College or as regional director of the Taranaki Secondary Schools’ Sports Association (TSSSA), a position he held for 20 years.

In recognition of the impact Coach has had across all Taranaki sports, Rachel and Naomi McKean have partnered up with the Taranaki Foundation to establish a sports endowment fund, to create a lasting legacy for young athletes.

“Our larger-than-life husband and father, Steve ‘Coach’ McKean was an instrumental and avid supporter of budding Taranaki sportspeople. In his memory we encourage those who are able to donate to The ‘Coach’ McKean Fund which will support promising young athletes.” 

Enquiries

Guy Honnor - Sport Advisor

guy@sporttaranaki.org.nz

Phone: 027 705 9369

Future Champions 2026

Future Champions Alumni

Future Champions marked its 20th year in 2026.   Over 150 Taranaki “born and bred” athletes have been through the programme from 27 sporting codes during this time. These athletes have gone on to become very high achievers, with five Olympians, over 85 New Zealand reps/champions and six World Champions. Swimmer Zac Reid and Black Sticks Holly Pearson and Hope Ralph all competed in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Sprinter Zoe Hobbs competed in the 100m in the  Paris Olympics in 2024.