Ant Strachan appointed as Head of Athlete & Coach Development

Born and raised in Te Awamutu (one of five brothers and sisters) and now residing in Auckland with his wife and four children, former All Black Ant Strachan has been appointed to the position of Head of Athlete & Coach Development at Dilworth from 2022. The position is part of the school’s overriding strategy to develop a sports performance programme which focusses on enhancing and developing the sporting talent and coaches at Dilworth. He will be involved in creating a clear strategic plan for both the athletes and coaches and working closely with both the Head of Sport and Head of Physical Education and Health to design and implement an integrated development programme to enhance the sporting experience at the school.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your passion for sport

I have spent the best part of 20 years working in high performance sport (predominantly rugby) and during this time have held many roles including strategic management, coaching and administration. My passion for sport began in a rural setting when at the age of 7, competitive swimming was my first passion. Rugby happened by chance. After playing for our Year 6 soccer team, I was asked to play for the rugby team as they were short. The rest as they say, is history. Transferring from Te Awamutu Intermediate to Auckland Normal Intermediate and then Auckland Grammar School, my passion for sport grew. Since the mid 1980’s I have represented Auckland, Otago & North Harbour rugby at age group level and from here was honoured to be selected for the All Blacks from 1992-1995, including a World Cup in South Africa. My passion for sport now extends through coaching and supporting my young adult children.

What motivated you initially to work in education?

Some would say education crept up on me. From a shy country boy to an educator may not have been a path many would have suspected I would take. However, I was lucky enough to hold a number of leadership roles in the sports teams I represented and I really enjoyed the opportunity to extend myself and help others. This led me to Otago University, where I completed a degree in Physical Education. This is where my interest and involvement in teaching, leadership and coaching really evolved. My first placement at Avondale College was a memorable 6 years, working with our youth both in and outside of the classroom. I enjoy listening, learning, challenging and contributing and this has certainly helped me in all areas of my life. 

What attracted you to the Head of Athlete & Coach Development role at Dilworth?

I was extremely lucky to be inducted into the Dilworth family as a Head Coach of the 1st XV Rugby Team in 2021 which provided me with some wonderful insights into a progressive school, founded on a definitive strategy, supported by clear values and behaviours. I also had the opportunity to work alongside some excellent staff, including Rugby Director Gareth Pickering and other staff who were committed to building a rugby programme we could all be proud of. The time I spent at the school also provided me with firsthand experience, not only in assessing the myriad of opportunities to elevate sport alongside the education and co-curricular platforms but also to identify the athletic potential of our Dilworth students. 

What do you hope to achieve in your role?

In simple terms, to provide Dilworth students with an opportunity to explore sport as a genuine career pathway, alongside both their educational and cultural endeavours. We want to open the minds of our students and encourage them to develop more healthy lifestyles and prioritise their wellbeing. We also want students to understand and appreciate that through sport, our young men can grow to become better people.

Why do you think it’s important for young men to be involved in sport?

Sport is a powerful platform for young men to express themselves and to develop life skills which will help shape their lives in the future. We hope that through sport, we can develop more self-reliant, resilient young men who work hard to be the best that they can be, whilst encouraging them to challenge thinking, to sometimes take the lead and not necessarily follow.

What helps create a thriving sports culture at school?

Good people, clearly defined structures and systems and an insatiable desire to be better.