Marching Otago is proud to have a team of passionate and experienced coaches guiding and mentoring our teams.

Each team is unique in what it offers to their specific age group and each coach has their own method of teaching.

Our coaches have completed their training via the Marching New Zealand coaching programme and have criminal conviction checks completed via the New Zealand police.

We welcome anyone interested in joining our coaching team to make contact and enquire about what’s involved with the training. We would love to see more teams join our Marching Otago family.

If you’re interested in becoming a marching coach, click the button below to receive information on the training. 

Tracey van Stijn
Co-Coach, Onyx Militaires Under 12s

About Me
I’ve been coaching for over 25 years. During that time I’ve coached mostly the Under 12 grade but I have also dabbled in coaching an Open Free Choice adult team. I started marching as a Senior, which is not an easy task. Learning to march when everyone else has been through Midgets or Juniors (as they were know at that time) was really challenging. But it was enough to get me hooked. Within 2 seasons I took on coaching as well as marching when my sister talked me into starting a team for her daughters to join.  

My Coaching Style
I love to help encourage our marchers to gain confidence and increase their skill base. I’m fair, understanding, but firm. I believe each marcher needs a slightly different coaching style to match their personality. I try to adapt my style slightly so that they gain the most out of their time with our team. 

Michelle French
Co-Coach
Onyx Militaires Under 12s and Onyx Militaires Under 16s

About Me
I’ve been coaching for about 30 years and still love it. I started coaching the Under 12s team in 1996 and the Under 16s team since 2003. I started marching when I was 7 years old. I marched through all the grades until I decided that I would love to teach children.

My Coaching Style
I believe I am a firm but fair coach. I try to get the best out each individual while building a strong team culture. I feel honoured to be a part of their development as marchers and as people. There are multiple benefits that all sports provide including building friendships, learning how to set goals, time management, dedication and determination. We foster a good attitude when achieving goals and also encourage good sportsmanship when things don’t go to plan and dreams are put on hold for another year. 

Shona French
Co-Coach
Onyx Militaires Under 16s

About Me
I have been a marching coach since the 1960s. I started co-coaching the Onyx Miliaires Under 16s team with Michelle in 2003. I marched through all the grades in my younger years including midget, junior and senior teams. I was the leader of my Junior and Senior teams.

My Coaching Style
I believe my coaching style is firm but fair. I am caring and supportive. I love watching the marchers gain confidence and grow as a person. It is so rewarding to be part of their achievements while having fun. It is a journey and you never know far we’ll go until we give it a go.  I have so much passion for marching and the ultimate challenge is making a team look like one. 

Jenny Kennelly
Coach, Onyx Militaires Masters

Jenny Kennelly
Coach, Onyx Militaires Masters