© 2025 Christchurch United Football Club
OUR COACHES
Our coaches are the foundation of the club's success. Attracting qualified coaches is a crucial part of Christchurch United's strategy.
To provide high quality coaching, all of our coaches are required to commit to continuous personal development by learning from our local and international partners, which include:
TOVO Academy Barcelona (educated both locally and in Barcelona) | MBP school of coaches (Barcelona) | Mainland Football (Junior, Youth Courses) | New Zealand Football (Advanced Courses) | Internal courses | Experts from around the world | Fit4Football | Double Pass (Belgium)
To provide high quality coaching, all of our coaches are required to commit to continuous personal development by learning from our local and international partners, which include:
TOVO Academy Barcelona (educated both locally and in Barcelona) | MBP school of coaches (Barcelona) | Mainland Football (Junior, Youth Courses) | New Zealand Football (Advanced Courses) | Internal courses | Experts from around the world | Fit4Football | Double Pass (Belgium)
paul holocher
U20 HEAD COACH
Jude Fitzpatrick
U17 Academy Head Coach
- Bachelor of science in sport and exercise science
- Graduate diploma in teaching and education
- NZF Senior C license
- NZF Youth level 2 license
- TOVO 7 A-Side Online Coaching Course
- TOVO T1 and T2 coaching course in Barcelona
- 11 years coaching experience
- Played in NZ National League and the Australian National Premier League (NPL).
Lew Gordon
U15 academy head coach
U9 Pre-Academy Head coach
U9 Pre-Academy Head coach
- Degree in Sports Coaching of Canterbury University
- Masters Of Teaching & Learning (With Distinction)
- NZF Junior Level 3 License
- Youth Level 2 License
- NZF Goalkeeper Level 1
- TOVO T1 & T2 coaching course
- 7 years coach experience
- Played as a goalkeeper
- His hobbies are board games
Lew
"I'm happy that I'm able to have a positive impact on kids lives, and keep their passion for football going and growing, whilst developing other areas and becoming a better person."
James Malthus
U14 Academy head coach
U12 Pre-Academy Head Coach
U12 Pre-Academy Head Coach
- James is an experienced junior and youth coach who joined the club in 2023.
- Originally a cricket player and coach, he spent five years at Ole Football Academy, working with every age group between U11 and the Senior First Team.
- Through Ole he also had a period as Director of Football at New Plymouth Rangers. James holds an OFC C-Licence and is currently pursuing his B-Licence.
Ash Fitzpatrick
U13 Academy head coach
Brendan koplin
U12 Pre-Academy head coach
Zach Bennett
U11 Pre-academy Head Coach
U4-U8 Coach
U4-U8 Coach
- NZF Youth level 2
- Currently studying a bachelor of sports coaching. Studying a double major of performance analysis and sports leadership and management
- Zach has played for Christchurch United for 7 years, being able to represent his region and club at the highest level possible.
Tyler Hornsby
U11 Pre-academy Head Coach
Adam Huskic
U10 Pre-academy Head Coach
- Originally from Bosnia, Adam brings a wealth of experience including professional stints in Canada, Bosnia, Finland, and now New Zealand.
- Adam is excited to share his experience as a centre back with players and looks forward to helping them take their game to the next level
Jakub Hosnedl
Academy Skills Coach
Tony Harvey
U10 Head coach
Also known as "Coach Tony" to the playing staff, Tony Harvey has been coaching since 1971 after suffering from his own footballing injuries. He gained his senior New Zealand coaching badge in 1975. He started coaching with Christchurch City in 1971 and moved from there to Christchurch United.
He re-joined the Christchurch Football Centre and Christchurch United in 2014 — coaching at ALL junior levels for the club. He is currently the program coordinator, and dedicates his spare time too assisting our other junior teams.
He re-joined the Christchurch Football Centre and Christchurch United in 2014 — coaching at ALL junior levels for the club. He is currently the program coordinator, and dedicates his spare time too assisting our other junior teams.
Josh Sapsford
U10 Gold PRE-ACADEMY HEAD coach
- Josh is in his first year of coaching after playing for Christchurch since he was 10.
- Currently holds a Junior Level 1 License
- Currently playing for the U20s Reserve Team
Sam Cosham
U9 PRE-ACADEMY HEAD coach
U17 Assistant Coach
U17 Assistant Coach
- Sam has five years of coaching experience across both football and rowing, and currently holds Youth and Junior Level 2 Coaching Licenses.
- He plans to complete his C Coaching License in 2025.
- He is currently studying a bachelor of sport coaching majoring in performance analysis and minoring in psychology.
Travis Graham
U4-U8 PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATOR
Andre Richards
U4-U8 Head Coach