OUR COACHES

Craig McDougall

Head Coach

Hi I’m Coach Craig, I am the Head Coach within the trust. I started Hawkes Bay Youth Trust in 2015, with a vision to “Help Young People and Their Whanau Live Lives They Value” with the aim of instilling discipline and providing a structure of Olympic style boxing to teach young men and women, how to be fit, well-mannered and active members of our community.

I was called to grow where I was planted, playing my role in growing a community that thrives not survives, one we all feel like we belong and feel connected to. I am a former New Zealand boxing champion, 2013 Hawke's Bay Person of the year and Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year 2023, after progressing my working career from builder, to strength and conditioning coach, to firefighter, and then coordinator of the Jarod Cunningham Sports Academy, decided that my calling and passion was to work with young people and help them navigate the complexities of life.

Alongside helping people, I am passionate about sharing food with whanau and friends, surfing and spending time with good humans.

Seamus Daly

Coach

Hi I’m Seamus, I coach the morning classes, that are targeted to the public, who come together for various reasons, mainly health and well-being. I have been involved since the inception of Hawkes Bay Youth Trust in 2015, after moving to Hawkes Bay and after some volunteer coaching at Otahuhu Boxing, I answered an advert for coaches, and I have never left! Nearly 10 years and counting.

In my day job, I am a land surveyor, and have previously coached Martial Arts and am an avid hunter when I get the chance to go bush.

I not only coach but enjoy learning and have learnt so much during my time, including physical and mental limits of myself, people management, but most of all I have witnessed how amazing people are and how small influences can make a massive difference to people’s lives.

Anthony Harlen

Coach

Hi I’m Anthony, I am the assistant coach within the trust and the head coach of the Saints boxing academy and of our School and Holiday Programmes. I’ve been teaching boxing for over 20 years as a hobby at home. I have been involved with the Giants since 2019 when my daughter joined the cadet girls classes. I progressed from watching the class to assisting, and then to running them. In 2022 I was offered employment with Hawkes Bay Youth Trust.

I now work part time within the Trust running our School and Holiday Programmes and also run our Saints Boxing Academy branch in Havelock North. I spend the other half of my time at Peak Fitness where I am completing my personal trainer diploma.

Working for the Hawks Bay Youth Trust has allowed me to develop as a Coach and hone my skills within group fitness classes, I’m hoping to extend this to a full time role helping people belong, believe become the best versions of themselves they can be.

Alongside my passion of boxing, I spend a lot of time with my wife and two children.

The biggest lesson I have learnt since being with HBYT would be the way I now parent, it has definitely made me a better father.