AT Academy

Our rangatahi have been working extremely hard to learn new movements, understanding of how failure works to build you and not break you.

We are so proud of our Performance Youth who over the last 5 week, come in and apply themselves to learning how to become the best they can be.

Failure is a stepping stone to ones greatness.

Introducing Coach Tom!!!

We’re incredibly grateful to have one of our original Academy youth members return to where it all began—this time as a mentor, helping lead our 5:45am Foundation Youth sessions.

Tom Maiava is our Academy’s first Olympian, having represented Samoa in Rugby Sevens, played for the Wellington Lions, and now proudly serves as a qualified Police Officer. More importantly, he’s a young man with a genuine heart for serving youth, his family, his church, and the wider community.

To have Tom investing back into the next generation is something truly special. Our young people now get to learn from someone who has experienced elite sport, understands the standards required to succeed at the highest level, and knows what it takes to thrive in both sport and the workforce.

Having come through our Academy himself from the age of 16, Tom is living proof of what’s possible. He now returns to pass on the lessons, values, and experiences that helped shape his own journey, giving our future Academy youth every opportunity to succeed in life.

Porirua has produced many great people, and Tom Maiava is certainly one of its finest.

If we had to describe Tom in just four words, they would be:
Authentic. Loyal. Humble. God-fearing.

Tom, thank you for giving back to our Academy and for choosing to invest your time, energy, and wisdom into our young people. We’re blessed to have you on this journey, and we love and appreciate your servant heart.

A morning with Coach Ace.

A huge thank you to one of our incredible Academy parents, Tash, for capturing this special moment with some of our amazing young athletes. Sometimes the most meaningful moments happen when no one is expecting them.

For those who don't often get to see what happens behind the scenes, here's a small glimpse into what makes Coach Ace so special.

People often see the intensity. They see the standards, the discipline, the motivation, and the drive to help every young person chase their goals. But what they don't always see is the person behind the coach.

Coach Ace is a dad before he's anything else, and that shapes every session he leads. He coaches with patience, compassion, and genuine care, treating every child as someone worth investing in—not just as an athlete, but as a person.

He's the first to celebrate their wins, the first to encourage them through setbacks, and the first to remind them that growth comes from showing up, even on the hard days.

When we once asked Coach Ace what the secret to great coaching was, his answer never changed:

"Time and love. With love comes honesty."

That simple philosophy is at the heart of everything he does. It's why our young people feel seen, believed in, and challenged to become the very best version of themselves.

This is Coach Ace. And this is what our Academy is all about. ❤️

For the past two weeks, we've given our 5:45am youth crew a well-earned sleep-in, switching to 9:00am sessions over the school holidays.

It’s been awesome to see our morning crew back together, ready to kick off Term 3 with energy and enthusiasm.

We wrapped up today's session by setting our focus for the term ahead—training with purpose, clear goals, and real intent.

Term 3 is going to be a season of growth, hard work, and becoming better every day. Let's get after it! 💪🔥

Spaces still available. Contact us directly on [email protected]

Brilliant morning working on footwork, speed acceleration and deceleration.

Some great learnings and laughs with the youth this morning.

Stay the course kids, God's plan for you is for greatness.

Great holiday program run Monday to Friday. Hit us up for times if your keen to have a jam.