James Coughlan is Director of Coaching and is the Club’s Men’s Premier team as a player-coach. He also has an overarching role supporting all teams, both men and women within the Club.

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ABC recognizes the importance of cultivating and nurturing coaching talent within the Club for our members. During the season James is readily available to mentor the wider ABC coaching group and provides coaching advice, guidance and training drills. 

 

ABC is very fortunate to have two very accomplished, passionate and respected coaches who oversee the Club’s Premier teams.  

 

Paul McGoon

Premier Women’s Coach

Paul’s love for hockey started from a young age in Fiji. As a young adult, Paul was offered a contract to play hockey in New Zealand for Roskill Mt Eden where he played for a number of years before heading over to North Harbour. In his playing capacity Paul represented North Harbour NHL teams and in 2000 was part of the winning Challenge Shield team and also had the privilege of representing Fiji in 1995. 

 

In later years, Paul has turned his attention towards coaching, particularly North Harbour teams and sharing the wealth of knowledge he has accrued. Assistant coach for Collier 2012 team, U15B (2013), U15A (2014, won gold), U18A (2016 & 2017). Paul has been involved in the school programmes coaching Rangitoto Boys 1st & 2nd XI and Carmel College girl’s 1st XI.

 

Paul joined in ABC in 2013, initially coaching the Premier Reserve Woman and in 2018 taking on the head coach position of the Premier Women’s team. 

 

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James Coughlan

Premier Men’s Coach

James grew up on the North Shore and continues to live and work within our community. James heads North Harbour’s Talent Development programme. A former Black Stick with 76 test matches to his name, James represented New Zealand at the Rio Olympics 2016. 

 

In 2019 James played a pivotal role as Captain of North Harbour’s Men’s NHL team who took out the title, James’s being recognized as the Tournaments MVP. 

 

James started his early years in senior hockey with ABC, later returning in his current position in 2018 as player/coach of ABC’s Premier Men’s team.

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