David Ching – Director of Sport
Coming from a commercial background via a Graduate Diploma in Sport & Exercise, David joined St Cuthbert’s for the start of 2012, bringing a strong management focus to the Sport Department.
“Sport of all types is my passion”, says David. An active Auckland club hockey player and an occasional marathoner, David can also be found at the top of ski slopes, in the water off Kohimarama Beach, or mountain-biking at Woodhill Forest.
“Sport is about participation and enjoyment for all, as well as striving to be the best that you can be”, he adds.
In his spare time, David also helps to develop girls cricket in Auckland, convening and coaching at our near-neighbours Cornwall CC.
David’s goals are for all St Cuthbert’s students to discover their own love of sport, for the College to achieve its potential across the wide range of sports and teams that compete for St Cuthbert’s, along with success for our premier teams at regional and national levels.
Simon Norton
Simon Norton – Director of Hockey
It is no surprise that St Cuthbert's College has been enjoying so much hockey success given the experience of its Director of Hockey. A former Blackstick (NZ Senior hockey rep) with world cup experience, Simon’s career also boasts representing three provinces and playing 150 games for Auckland.
As a coach Simon has won numerous national titles with provincial senior and age group teams as well as adding last years prestigious Federation Cup (secondary schoolgirl’s hockey nationals) to the many regional titles St Cuthbert's College has won since Simon took over the programme in 1995. At an administrative level Simon has experience as a Senior Board of Control member and Regional Development Coach with Auckland Hockey, a Youth Council representative for Hockey NZ and is the Senior Vice President of Somerville Hockey club.
Kath Godber - Netball Manager/Sports Coordinator
Kath has returned to Auckland after managing the South Wilts Grammar School PE department and co-ordinating secondary school sport in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England for the past seven years. A previous Epsom Girls Grammar School PE teacher with responsibility for a wide range of co-curricular activities, Kath brings a wealth of sporting knowledge and an international flavour to her new role in the Sports Department.
A self-confessed ‘academic’ at heart, Kath has studied almost continuously in both New Zealand and in the UK to achieve tertiary qualifications in Physical Education, Sports Studies, Social Psychology and most recently the Post Graduate Diploma in Education with an endorsement in PE through Massey University. Kath is currently working on her Master of Education degree, focusing her thesis research on ‘the identification of and provision for talented female athletes in New Zealand secondary schools’.
Kath lives her personal philosophy of leading a balanced, healthy lifestyle by running one or two marathons annually, playing social basketball weekly, and by organizing fun physical ‘Family Day Out’ challenges for her English husband and two teenage children. In her leisure time she enjoys gardening and decorating, and volunteering her administrative skills to assist the development of girls’ and women’s sport within the local community.
Dannaka Dorrington
Dannaka Dorrington – Sports Coordinator
A proud St Cuthbert's College old girl and Diploma of Fitness Centre Training graduate, Dannaka is able to bring a student perspective to the Sports Department having captained the 1st XI hockey team and been involved in a host of sports during her student years at the college.
During her sporting career Dannaka became a triple-representative, competing for Auckland in tennis and swimming as well as being a member of the national provincial championship Auckland women’s hockey team. Dannaka maintains her active involvement in sports by competing in triathlon events and playing senior hockey and tennis.
Julia Shaw - Sports Coordinator
Julia is the newest member of the Sports Department team and comes to the College with a strong background in triathlon, cycling and distance running.
Julia represented New Zealand as an elite triathlete before injury cut her career short ending her competitive racing days.
Having gained a Bachelor of Commerce in 2005, Julia has previously been working in the sports industry part time allowing her to dedicate herself to training and competition. Injury couldn’t keep Julia out of the competitive sporting environment and she is currently working towards her Triathlon NZ coaching accreditation.
Her passion for sport attracted her to the Sport Coordinator role and she has made an instant impression with her knowledge and expertise as a sports leader.