Darren Smith
I first come across Stephen Graham as a very talented Tauranga based hockey player at a national U18 age group tournament in 2002. Since this first meeting I’ve been able to watch Stephen excel through U18, U21 and senior national teams for one of our leading provinces Midlands. I’ve also worked with Stephen in coaching talented age-group keepers through Midlands region and New Zealand youth squads.
After an outstanding 2006 Stephen was selected into the New Zealand team and was involved within this program through until the 2012 Olympic program. As assistant coach to the National Men’s hockey team I was able to work closely with Stephen and watch him function within the group. Through this national contact I sought Stephen out to lead out Midlands goalkeeper program, which provided training to our very best keepers within the region.
Working in high-level sport you get to see players under physical and mental pressure. Not only do you have to strive to be the best player you can be but also be a person who contributes and enhances the team. Stephen is a fantastic team-mate and athlete to work with. His excellent people skills, proactive approach and calm demeanor ensure he handles all these pressures very well.
I would have no hesitation in recommending Stephen to any hockey program. He has sound knowledge of the basics of goalkeeping, is able to establish a rapport with youth athletes and develop/implement effective training sessions. He will be an asset to your program and you will enjoy working with him.
Achievements:
- Ireland Women – Head Coach 2013 -
- Blacksticks Men - Assistant Coach 2006 - 2012
- Midlands High Performance Director – 2007 - 2011
- New Zealand Representative 1995-2006 (212 caps)
- Athens 2004 Olympian
After an outstanding 2006 Stephen was selected into the New Zealand team and was involved within this program through until the 2012 Olympic program. As assistant coach to the National Men’s hockey team I was able to work closely with Stephen and watch him function within the group. Through this national contact I sought Stephen out to lead out Midlands goalkeeper program, which provided training to our very best keepers within the region.
Working in high-level sport you get to see players under physical and mental pressure. Not only do you have to strive to be the best player you can be but also be a person who contributes and enhances the team. Stephen is a fantastic team-mate and athlete to work with. His excellent people skills, proactive approach and calm demeanor ensure he handles all these pressures very well.
I would have no hesitation in recommending Stephen to any hockey program. He has sound knowledge of the basics of goalkeeping, is able to establish a rapport with youth athletes and develop/implement effective training sessions. He will be an asset to your program and you will enjoy working with him.
Achievements:
- Ireland Women – Head Coach 2013 -
- Blacksticks Men - Assistant Coach 2006 - 2012
- Midlands High Performance Director – 2007 - 2011
- New Zealand Representative 1995-2006 (212 caps)
- Athens 2004 Olympian
Brooke Johnson
Having one on one coaching sessions with Stephen at the beginning of the year set me up for my most successful year in Goal keeping to date. His coaching sessions were challenging, but enjoyable with a variety of drills. He uses a different pieces of equipment to focus on and develop skills and adding fun to the sessions. He geared the coaching to my needs and gave me valuable feedback throughout the sessions. He has taken an interest in my achievements outside of the sessions and has offered support and encouragement. Having been in the Black Sticks environment he can offer insight into their expectations and has up-to-date techniques and knowledge. I would recommend coaching sessions with Stephen for any goalkeeper who is keen to improve their own skills, fitness and techniques.
Achievements:
- New Zealand Tiger Turf under 18 Girls Squad
- Midlands U18 Girls team
- Northland age group teams
Achievements:
- New Zealand Tiger Turf under 18 Girls Squad
- Midlands U18 Girls team
- Northland age group teams
Devon Manchester
I feel that for any aspiring goalkeeper having coaching form someone that has themselves been a goalkeeper is vitally important, as this is the only way that you can develop a proper understanding of the unique skills required to play the position. At the early stages it will ensure development of sound technical skills and a solid base on which to build. Similarly at a more advanced stage a GK coach can help with refinement and act as invaluable sounding board. I was exposed to Steve's coaching while I was still at school where he was excellent at identifying my strengths and weaknesses and working around those to develop my goalkeeping; he also embedded me with a sense of self belief that is necessary to make it to the next level (what ever that may be for you).
Achievements:
- 2012-2013 Black Sticks Men's squad
- 2009-2013 Auckland NHL (Winners in 2011, 2012 and 2013)
- 2011/12 National development squad
- Junior Black Sticks 2008-09 (4th at world cup)
Achievements:
- 2012-2013 Black Sticks Men's squad
- 2009-2013 Auckland NHL (Winners in 2011, 2012 and 2013)
- 2011/12 National development squad
- Junior Black Sticks 2008-09 (4th at world cup)
Richard Joyce
Stephen Graham is a great coach. His knowledge that he brings to his coaching is almost incomparable and is able to convey this in a clear and easy to understand way. The calmness that he displays when coaching rubs off on the goalkeeper, which I believe is when goalkeepers perform at their best. He is able to pick up technical flaws with ease and offer constructive, sound advice. This is important because as a goalkeeper matures, technical difficulties are more subtle, showing that his coaching caters to all ages and abilities. His coaching style is different to other coaches I have experienced. I think what he teaches is a keeping style that has adapted to the modern game, molding a more mobile and effective goalkeeper.
Achievements:
- North Harbour’s NHL goalkeeper 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010.
- Junior Black Sticks team going to the Sultan of Johor cup in Malaysia in November
- Apart of the Black Sticks wider squad
Achievements:
- North Harbour’s NHL goalkeeper 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010.
- Junior Black Sticks team going to the Sultan of Johor cup in Malaysia in November
- Apart of the Black Sticks wider squad
Sam Greaney
I'v been working with Stephen since I was 13 years of age and he's really helped me develop into the goalkeeper I am today. He knows everything there is to know about keepers and has great back ground knowledge and skills that will help any young keeper make it to the the top!
Achievements:
- 2012-2013 Black Sticks Development squad
- 2011 Junior Black Sticks NZ U21 side
- 2011 NHL winner (Central)
- 2010 Tiger Turf
- 2010 National U18 Champion
Achievements:
- 2012-2013 Black Sticks Development squad
- 2011 Junior Black Sticks NZ U21 side
- 2011 NHL winner (Central)
- 2010 Tiger Turf
- 2010 National U18 Champion
Tom Lysaght
From my experience as a hockey goalkeeper, I strongly believe in the importance of having a specific goalkeeper coach. A goalkeeper coach is able to provide you with the specific technical and fundamental concepts of goalkeeping, that the majority of team coaches don't know or have the time to pass onto you. They are able to provide you with feedback straight away, allowing you to develop as a keeper as fast as possible. I have had many goalkeeper coaches over the years and Steve Graham is by far one of the best around. He was able to identify my strengths and weaknesses straight away. Then providing thorough feedback on how to improve my weakness and use my strengths to their full potential. He was very forward thinking technically, continually trying new technical variations to help improve not only himself but the keepers he was coaching. I found him very friendly and approachable, I was never afraid to approach him and ask for advice.
Having a coach such as Steve, where he creates such a comfortable training environment and has such a vast array of knowledge. Meant that I was able to develop both technically as a keeper and in my personal confidence as a keeper. He is a big part of where I have got to today.
Achievements:
- Midlands NHL (2011, 2009, 2008)
- Junior Black Sticks side to play Malaysia series
- Junior Black Sticks side to Sultan of Johor Cup
- Non-travelling reserve Junior Black Sticks side to Junior World Cup
- Junior Black Sticks side to Junior World Cup Qualifier
- Junior Black Sticks side
- Tiger Turf (2006, 2005)
Having a coach such as Steve, where he creates such a comfortable training environment and has such a vast array of knowledge. Meant that I was able to develop both technically as a keeper and in my personal confidence as a keeper. He is a big part of where I have got to today.
Achievements:
- Midlands NHL (2011, 2009, 2008)
- Junior Black Sticks side to play Malaysia series
- Junior Black Sticks side to Sultan of Johor Cup
- Non-travelling reserve Junior Black Sticks side to Junior World Cup
- Junior Black Sticks side to Junior World Cup Qualifier
- Junior Black Sticks side
- Tiger Turf (2006, 2005)
