Mark has completed a Bachelor's Degree in Sports Coaching and is halfway through a Graduate Diploma in Secondary School Teaching. Throughout studies, Mark has been exploring his whakapapa roots linking him to Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāi Tahu. Mark’s five years of coaching experience has largely entailed giving back to his high school; Shirley Boys’ for the past three years as Head Coach of both the First XI Football and Futsal Teams. As well as coaching Mark has represented the Canterbury region as part of our Canterbury Futsal Dragons Mens’ side, and recently with the New Zealand University Men’s’ Team in China at the World University Games 2024.  

Having aspirations of being a secondary school teacher and now having discovered his taha Māori side, Mark sees Kōtuitui as a great way to bring together a part of his identity with the sport he loves to play and coach. We are really excited to have Mark on board for our Kōtuitui programme and look forward to seeing him connect with the tamariki out on the field!  

Kyla, a proud Māori from Ōtautahi, has been immersed in sports since childhood, representing herself at provincial and national levels. She is 20 years old and her iwis are Ngāi Tahu and Rongowhakaata. Sports play a significant role in Kyla's life, as she cherishes the opportunity to cultivate relationships with new people through her involvement. She believes all tamariki deserve an equal opportunity to be involved in sports. Kyla finds joy in blending her two passions of sports and assisting young tamariki to excel, helping them surpass goals they never imagined possible.

Kyla joins us from Tamai Sports whom are closely connected with us here at Mainland Football providing opportunity for the tamariki within our community to participate and be empowered in any sport they love to play. We are really excited to have Kyla as part of our Kōtuitui whānau! 

Kia ora,
Ko Ngātokimatawhāorua te waka
Ko Kapawai te Maunga
Ko Waikare te awa
Ko Ngāpuhi, ko Ngāti Wai ngā iwi
Ko Moby George ahau.

Moby originates from Tauranga with whakapapa to Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Wai on the East Coast of the North Island. Now residing in Ōtautahi, Moby studies music and history at the University of Canterbury with the ambition and focus of becoming a school teacher who can positively impact the rangatahi of Aotearoa. Fuelled by his passion for helping youth, Moby has a plethora of experience working with youth in sport, kapa haka, teaches music and has a background of two years in social work from his time in Tauranga. Music and sport have always been Moby’s drivers and now he feels it’s time to give back for the youth to experience the same enjoyments he had. We are really excited to have Moby on board with us delivering Kōtuitui this year!