Tim O’Connor (Chair)
Auckland Grammar School
Tim O’Connor became Headmaster of Auckland Grammar School in Term 4, 2012.
After commencing secondary teaching in 1990, Mr O’Connor was appointed Deputy Principal of Nelson College in 2000. In 2002, he was appointed Rector of Palmerston North Boys’ High School and was active in many areas related to boys’ education, including the Association of Boys’ Schools New Zealand, the Secondary Schools Principals’ Association, and the International Boys’ Schools Coalition. In 2007, he was awarded both a Woolf Fisher Fellowship and was also made a Sir Peter Blake Trust Emerging Leader.
Mr O’Connor is a strong advocate for the importance of academic rigour and achievement being complemented by extensive co-curricular opportunities. He was co-opted back onto the College Sport Auckland Board in July 2020, bringing a wealth of secondary school sport experience from his leadership positions at boys’ schools with strong sports programmes.
Mr O’Connor took over as College Sport Auckland Board Chair in May 2021.
David Ferguson
Westlake Boys High School
David Ferguson has been a member of the College Sport Auckland Board since 2012 and served as Board Chair from July 2020 – May 2021.
As part of his role as Headmaster of Westlake Boys High School, Mr Ferguson has invested significant time observing, planning, and making strategic decisions that impact on school sport. As a previous Director of Sport at Westlake, he received an excellent grounding in the landscape of secondary school sport in Auckland.
Mr Ferguson believes the sporting opportunities provided by College Sport Auckland are hugely important. “I think the experiences that schools offer in sport are unique and create lifelong friends and memories. College Sport Auckland plays a critical role in ensuring that there is a framework for our young people to represent their school proudly in a positive and safe way”.
Mr Ferguson has continued to be involved in the governance of College Sport Auckland to play a role in advancing school sport and creating quality opportunities at all levels for high school students in Auckland.
Trina Tamati
Independent
Ko Ngati Mutunga, ko Ngati Kahangunu ōu iwi. Nō Tāmaki Makaurau hia ia.
Trina is a highly accomplished, award winning and dynamic senior Executive with over 25 years of global experience across NSO, marketing and corporate sectors. Results orientated with proven success in governance, business leadership, strategic planning, major event operations, marketing, media, digital and financial management. Her most recent position was Managing Director of New Zealand’s largest live entertainment company Ticketek NZ.
Possessing a core foundation in health, wellness and sport with tertiary qualifications in psychology and communications and an outstanding track record of leading and thriving within complex and challenging environments, Trina is well renowned for actively striving for more women, across all industries, to be seen and heard.
Ngaire Ashmore
Auckland Girls Grammar School
Ngaire Ashmore took up her position as Principal of Auckland Girls Grammar School at the beginning of 2017, after serving as Principal of Tangaroa College for ten years.
Shortly after she began at Auckland Girls Grammar, Ms Ashmore was co-opted to the College Sport Auckland Board. She has been working to strengthen sport at Auckland Girls Grammar, increasing participation across the school and maximizing opportunities for students to excel in all areas.
Ms Ashmore is passionate about helping young women build confidence, work in collaboration, and give back to their local communities and society as a whole. She recognizes the importance of forward-thinking and providing a range of opportunities for students to grow and develop.
Greg Pierce
Orewa College
Greg Pierce began his new position as Principal of Orewa College in 2021. He was previously Principal of Aorere College and joined the College Sport Auckland Board in June 2017.
From 1980 until 1990, Mr Pierce was heavily involved in cricket, rugby, and basketball at either a senior club or representative level. Since 1990, he has been involved in secondary school sport as either a coach, manager, administrator, or supporter. This has included significant roles in cricket, rugby, and basketball at several schools across New Zealand including Southland Boys’ High School, Kelston Boys’ High School, Shirley Boys’ High School, Hastings Boys’ High School, Southern Cross Campus and Aorere College.
Mr Pierce is a strong advocate for inclusivity in secondary school sport. “The health and wellbeing of our rangatahi is enhanced with their active involvement in sport. Enjoyment and participation levels are key in my mind and we need to encourage these concepts in all of our schools.”
In addition to his position on the College Sport Auckland Board, Mr Pierce is Chairperson of AIMHI and Deputy Chair of the Polyfest Trust Board. He is also a member of SPANZ, ASSPA Executive, CMSSPA, Regional Management Group (First Time Principals), ARA Education Charitable Trust, and the Secondary/Tertiary Education Advisory Group.
Steve Cole
Independent
Steve Cole was Head of Saint Kentigern College from 2009 – 2017 where he led the school through significant growth and change. Prior to his position at Saint Kentigern, Mr Cole spent eight years as Headmaster at St Bede’s Senior School in Sussex. He was Deputy Principal at Kelston Boys High School before taking the role as Headmaster at St Paul’s Collegiate in Hamilton for nine years. While teaching at Auckland Grammar School, where he was also educated, Mr Cole coached rugby and the 1st XI cricket team for seven years.
After retiring as Head of Saint Kentigern College, Mr Cole lead College Sport Auckland’s Independent Judicial Panel on two separate occasions. Following his thorough work on the judicial panel, Mr Steve Cole was coopted to the College Sport Auckland Board in July 2020 as an independent board member.
Steve is passionate about young people in sport and brings a wealth of secondary school sport knowledge to the College Sport Auckland Board from his considerable experience in both state and independent education.
Nick Coughlan
One Tree Hill College
Nick Coughlan has been Principal of One Tree Hill College since 2010 and joined the College Sport Auckland Board in 2022.
Since beginning his teaching career, he has always had a strong involvement in secondary school sport as a coach, administrator, and school leader. He is proud of the way in which sporting opportunities have been developed at One Tree Hill College to
increase student involvement at both the elite and social level.
Mr. Coughlan believes in the important role that school sport plays in the engagement of students into their learning and development. He is a strong advocate for encouraging as many young people to be involved in school
sport as possible across a wide range of sports. “It is wonderful to see students participating, enjoying being active, positively supporting others, and being proud of their school”.
Heather McRae
Diocesan School for Girls
Raechelle Taulu
Marist College