Rugby: Six coaches selected

All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen is among six coaches selected for the Coach Accelerator programme, an initiative funded by Sparc and designed to hone the skills of top coaches.

The others are Otago cricket coach Mike Hesson, Pulse netball coach Yvette McCausland-Durie, New Zealand snowboarding head coach Tom Willmott, rowing coach Dave Thompson and track cycling coach Dayle Cheatley.

The three-year programme, which will be run by the New Zealand Academy of Sport North Island, will provide financial support and professional development training for the coaches.