Coach-in-Residence

Peninsula and Plains Orienteering Club is one of the largest clubs in NZ with around 260 active members covering the wider Canterbury area. The majority of members are based in Christchurch, the main centre of the South Island. PAPO has a rich history of NZ and International representatives, World Champion Orienteers, Rogainers and Adventure Racers. 

This NZ Summer PAPO is offering a travel reimbursement for a Coach-in-Residence. This is aimed at University-aged orienteers from outside of New Zealand who are looking to improve their Orienteering and Coaching skills. 

• Approximately 10-15hrs/week helping with training (with flexibility)  

• Weekly trainings targeted at all skill levels

• Involvement with planning elite level training/weekend camps 

• Helping juniors with high performance advice/giving talks 

• Training sessions for adults

• Possibility to coach/travel to other South Island clubs

The next NZ orienteering coaching season is from October (2025) to May (2026). We are looking for a candidate that can coach for a minimum of 2.5 months within this time period. During the Christmas - New Year Period everyone in NZ goes on holiday so you will too!

Ideal skills and experience we are looking for:

• Ability to communicate in English 

• Junior or elite level Orienteering background

• Previous orienteering coaching experience

• Planning, organising and setting training

• Mapping/setting using orienteering software programs

• Good people interaction skills

• Ability to be able to adapt to the New Zealand way of life!

• Travel assistance: up to $2000 NZD* (pro rata based on duration of stay)

• Assistance with accommodation

• Assistance with nation-wide travel

• A great club environment

• Drivers license is an advantage in NZ – public transport in NZ is very limited compared to Europe!

• Ability to ride a bike (bicycle) is an advantage

• Working Visa for NZ could allow you to extend your stay 

• Flights to/from NZ: Are at your own cost, and reimbursed once in residence

• Entry to events: at your own cost

• Internal travel: at your own cost

• Food: general expectation is that you will be offered shared meals with your host's, but generally breakfast, lunch and extra food is at your own cost and responsibility.

If you are interested in applying applications open from 31 March every year and will be advertised on PAPO facebook and on the news page of the PAPO website.