Jim Floerchinger
Noble Wolf - Coach
Water Polo has been an integral part of my life, it has taught me the value of friendship and teamwork. All of my solid friendships can be traced back to my time in this sport.
I've been fortunate to travel and live around the world with this great sport, and, it is something that I have, and continue to be, a student of since 1984 when I first showed up to my first high school water polo as a 14-year-old who was too tall and skinny to play gridiron anymore. Though I had also wrestled, I hadn't been a swimmer, so, I had a lot of catching up to do! I did this, and 4 years later, I was part of the team at the US Naval Academy which had a National Rank of 8th in the USA at the time.
In athletes, I look for someone willing to work and be engaged in the process. Bad habits are difficult to break, and, I want someone who will apply themselves in order to ensure that the correct habits are put into place from the start of my work with them.
My inspiration is always those who persevere. It is easy when you've got everything going for you, but, my greatest inspiration is always the stories of people who overcome the odds and put in the consistent effort.
Olly Gibb
Pack Coach
Olly has coached at a variety of age groups and levels. Olly began his coaching career at St Kentigern Boys School, where he led the boys program. Olly also coached the U16 boys at Marist Water Polo Club, leading them to the National Championship title in 2017. Olly has been the director of water polo at St Cuthbert’s College for 4 years, and has built the program into one of the powerhouse high school girls programs in New Zealand, winning the 2017 New Zealand Secondary Schoolgirls Championships, North Island Championships and Auckland Championship, as well as top 3 finishes in all Senior, Junior and Intermediate age groups for the last 4 years. Olly was the head senior coach at Atlantis Water Polo Club, where he led the U18 girls to top 2 finishes in both Pan Pacific Championships and the U18 Nationals, Olly was also the head coach of the National League Women’s team at the club for two years. Olly has also been the coach of various New Zealand age group teams; he was head coach of the U17 and U18 New Zealand Girls team for the Interstate Tournaments in Australia in 2017 and 2019. Olly has also been the head coach of the New Zealand Secondary Schoolgirls team for the past two years, as well as the assistant coach for the U20 New Zealand Women’s team which attended the FINA Junior World Championships in Funchal, Portugal.
Olly attended Fresno Pacific University in California for four years, as well as playing for various New Zealand age group teams. Olly has playing experience in both Hungary and Italy, where he played for youth clubs during his playing career. Olly holds two degrees in pre-medical science and law.
Max Rudowski
Coach
I'm Max, I started playing at 10, my brother played and being a young competitor I always wanted to be better so I started. I just fell in love with the sport and happened to be okay at it, and my life gave me a pathway to pursue this passion. I started coaching at 16 And I haven't looked back. Being the best and having a genuine empathy with my players is what keeps me driven and unique.
When coaching I mainly look for hard work and a genuine wanting/hunger to be better or the best you can be.
What I look forward to most is making players better than myself and impacting their lives, just like mine was. My goal is to put some New Zealand players on the world map.
My philosophy is if your willing to do the work the world can take you anywhere.
I look forward to seeing you poolside.
Kian McAllister
Coach
As a player, Kian has been in the pool for seven years. He has played his water polo for both the Marist & SeaWolf clubs. He is currently a member of the SeaWolf under 18 men’s side and was selected into the NZb2002 RTC training squad. He is also working with the St Cuthberts College water polo programme over a range of age groups alongside our new Women’s Head Coach Olly. He had previously coached at Marist with their under 12 age group and is returning back to SeaWolf to coach after a year at Atlantis City Waterpolo, coaching their under 12 and under 14 age groups. Kian is also a budding referee who is currently a B grade referee.
Ella Pollock
Coach
I played at Mount Maunganui College in the Premier 1 team since I was year 10. At the end of year 13 I was apart of the New Zealand Secondary School Girls team who competed against Australia over a 3 game test series.
I have been apart of Tauranga Water Polo since U12 playing in various teams. In 2018/2019 I moved to Atlantis to play in their Senior Women’s team.
I was apart of the New Zealand U18 Women’s team who competed at the 2018 FINA Youth Women’s Water Polo Championships in Belgrade, Serbia as well as the U20 New Zealand Women’s team who competed in the 2019 FINA Junior Women’s Water Polo Championships in Madeira, Portugal.
Ben Goodwin
Coach - GK Specialist
I started playing Water Polo in 2011 as a year 8 student, I became a goal keeper soon after. Since then I've played in several NZ representative teams, NZ National Leagues with Marist and Sea Wolf and over in Serbia with PVK Bečej. I've been coaching club and school teams along the way with running specific goal keeping training for 4 years.
Ben is currently away playing in Serbia.
Mario Sinovcic
Coach
I have been actively playing some form of Water Polo since primary school. Although I moved in and out of center forward over the years, it was always the place that I felt most comfortable. After training in the New Zealand national program for a few years, I was able to play Water Polo overseas well. As early as 16, I was playing Water Polo in Europe alongside some very accomplished Croatian and Italian coaches/players. In 2017 I was involved in a Sea Wolf training camp in Serbia where I trained at a high level and gathered an even better understanding of the sport. Above all else, I want to pass on what I have learned to anyone in the younger generation that is dedicated and eager to become a better player.
Jordan Lane
Coach
I started playing in year 7, scored only once, and spent the whole summer reliving that goal as motivation. I’d caught the bug.
I debuted for the King’s Premier Team in year 9, went on to be captain, and represented the country for Born 98s. Highlights of my travels with the sport include training in Italy, and playing for the University of Melbourne at UniGames in Perth. After a rocky start as the world’s slowest driver, I switched to centre-back and learned the importance of playing with your brain. Now, I’m thrilled to be back coaching after some experience during school and at King’s in 2019. My teams will be told that, while the sport is awesome fun, it also requires a lot of hard work – and I cannot wait to watch what comes from striking the right balance.
Nemo Radjen
Boys Head Coach
Nemanja entered the waterpolo world as a player early in his life and eventually became to play for clubs in countries such as Italy, Serbia, Holland and Israel. He also represented his home country, Serbia, at an international level. After his career as a waterpolo player, he changed to coaching in order to inspire the next generation of players following him and his peers. His experience as a player gave him insight into what he would need as a coach, especially the ability to help young players to develop into great athletes. He wants to be a mentor who provides good guidance that will help their waterpolo paths lead to good futures. Waterpolo is a team sport therefore Nemanja wants his players to have an ‘all for one and one for all’ mentality. He hopes to see players and their parents/support at the pool side.