Sports & Speed 6-week course

Maria Pearson is a Hawke’s Bay-based personal trainer, life coach and registered exercise specialist with a Master of Physical Education from the University of Otago. An ATG Certified Coach and REPs registered professional, Maria supports people of all ages, with a particular passion for helping older adults build strength, confidence and wellbeing. Her approach combines practical movement, positive mindset coaching and evidence-informed health knowledge. As a podcaster and women’s health advocate, she brings warmth, clarity and encouragement to conversations about ageing well, staying active and navigating life’s changes with resilience, curiosity and optimism every day, at every stage of life.

SESSION Abstract: Staying robust and independent as we age.

As we get older, our bodies inevitably change. Our balance, strength, speed, power, confidence, and independence can be affected. Navigating stairs, sitting on the floor, travelling, playing with the grandchildren, and keeping up with daily tasks can become a little more difficult.

As a healthy aging advocate, Maria will explain these changes and will explore ways we can keep our bodies strong and able despite the passing years. Her goal is to help people stay robust, independent, and confident in their bodies as they get older. The session will be informative with a bit of fun and laughter thrown in.

Ormond is passionate about bridging the gap between sports science research and real-world performance. As a lecturer and researcher, he focuses on biomechanics, strength & conditioning, and exercise programming to enhance athletic performance.

Research includes Force-Velocity Profiling in Rugby and MMA performance analysis, building on my master's research in FVP and rugby performance. He is also an aspiring PhD student exploring combat sports science.

SESSION Abstract: What Can We Learn From Rugby?

Why do rugby players train the way they do? A key principle in sport science is specificity—the idea that training should prepare athletes for the demands of competition. From strength and speed training to conditioning and contact preparation, every aspect of a rugby programme is designed with performance in mind.

In this session, Ormond Heather explores how specificity is applied in rugby and what lessons can be learned from elite sport. Drawing on his experience in rugby performance and research, he will examine how coaches balance the demands of the game with the need to develop well-rounded athletes.

But if training should replicate competition, where do we draw the line? This session will explore the benefits and limitations of specificity and ask an important question: can there be such a thing as too much specificity?

Chris Treacher brings a holistic, highly professional approach to high-performance coaching, mentoring, sports nutrition, and motivational speaking. His extensive background spans intermediate to tertiary education, community health, and premier-grade sports, including the NBL’s Taylor Hawks, Basketball Hawke's Bay, and Hawke's Bay Cricket.

Passionate about preparing youth for the rigours of elite sport, Chris uses health, fitness, spiritual, and Whakapapa facets to teach the bigger picture. By focusing on goalsetting, better choices, and teamwork, he helps individuals build lasting self-confidence. Chris empowers people of all ages to unlock their potential both in sport and everyday life.

SESSION Abstract: From Combat to Coach: Tactical Programming for Peak Performance

Utilising Chris’s journey through a military career into high performance sport and education. This workshop will inform on how performance coaches write programmes for their athletes based on their sporting requirements, whilst also taking into consideration a holistic approach.

Reflect on what requirements you need to address for your chosen activity in life, what exercises may be best to help you in that endeavour and how to map out your journey towards your own achievements. The bonus is that this information can be applied to many facets of life, not just sport.

Born in Australia and raised in Dannevirke, New Zealand, Michael Stonestreet developed a strong work ethic in the freezing works industry before entering aviation. He began pilot training with Air Hawke’s Bay in 2001, graduating in 2003, and joined the organization as a Flight Instructor the following year.

By 2006, Michael was appointed Chief Flying Instructor (CFI), a leadership role he has held for nearly two decades. In this position, he has overseen the training of hundreds of pilots and instructors, significantly shaping Air Hawke's Bay's reputation for safety and high training standards. Today, he continues to lead their flight training operations with a dedication to developing the next generation of aviation professionals.

SESSION Abstract: From Hawke’s Bay to the Global Skies: The Rigor and Tenacity of Training Tomorrow’s Pilots

What does it truly take to prepare a student pilot for the world’s largest commercial airlines?

In this session, Michael "Mike" Stonestreet shares the stories, strict processes, and sheer tenacity required to maintain world-class training standards. Drawing on nearly two decades as Chief Flying Instructor at Air Hawke’s Bay—where they train 50 to 60 students a year across Napier and Hastings—Mike will break down the meticulous mentorship and safety-first culture needed to shape elite aviators.

From his early roots in the freezing works industry to climbing the aviation ranks, discover how a practical, high-rigor approach builds the next generation of global aviation professionals.

Guy Lowry is a highly respected thoroughbred racehorse trainer operating out of Game Lodge Stables in Hastings, Hawke's Bay. With a deep family pedigree in New Zealand racing, Guy honed his craft working alongside some of Australasia's finest, including a formative three-year stint as foreman for the legendary Bart Cummings in Melbourne. Known for his meticulous approach and profound understanding of equine athletes, Guy has trained numerous Group winners, consistently producing peak performance on the track. His expertise spans breeding, conditioning, and the strategic preparation required to succeed in the highly competitive world of thoroughbred racing. At Game Lodge, he combines traditional horsemanship with modern training methods to nurture both young talent and seasoned racehorses. Guy brings a wealth of knowledge on the mechanics of speed, the psychology of the equine athlete, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in one of the world's most thrilling sports.

Guy Lowry is a highly respected thoroughbred racehorse trainer operating out of Game Lodge Stables in Hastings, Hawke's Bay. With a deep family pedigree in New Zealand racing, Guy honed his craft working alongside some of Australasia's finest, including a formative three-year stint as foreman for the legendary Bart Cummings in Melbourne. Known for his meticulous approach and profound understanding of equine athletes, Guy has trained numerous Group winners, consistently producing peak performance on the track. His expertise spans breeding, conditioning, and the strategic preparation required to succeed in the highly competitive world of thoroughbred racing. At Game Lodge, he combines traditional horsemanship with modern training methods to nurture both young talent and seasoned racehorses. Guy brings a wealth of knowledge on the mechanics of speed, the psychology of the equine athlete, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in one of the world's most thrilling sports.

Dr. Mike Schofield is a premier high-performance coach and biomechanist with a rich athletic pedigree as a former under-20 professional golfer and Olympic weightlifter. He holds a PhD in track and field biomechanics from AUT, seamlessly bridging elite athletic experience with cutting-edge sports science. Mike has successfully trained Olympic medalists, finalists, and World Games competitors, specialising in strength and conditioning for elite throwers. Driven by a deep passion for performance consulting and coaching, he excels at transforming scientific data into practical, podium-winning athletic strategies.

Dr. Mike Schofield is a premier high-performance coach and biomechanist with a rich athletic pedigree as a former under-20 professional golfer and Olympic weightlifter. He holds a PhD in track and field biomechanics from AUT, seamlessly bridging elite athletic experience with cutting-edge sports science. Mike has successfully trained Olympic medalists, finalists, and World Games competitors, specialising in strength and conditioning for elite throwers. Driven by a deep passion for performance consulting and coaching, he excels at transforming scientific data into practical, podium-winning athletic strategies.