Strength and Conditioning
About
The New Zealand Strength and Conditioning Accreditation (NZSCA) has been set up under the umbrella of SESNZ, to support New Zealand’s growing strength and conditioning community.
Vision: Fostering excellence in strength and conditioning through evidence-based practice
Drivers:
- Bring together the current New Zealand based strength and conditioning community
Create a New Zealand industry standard for strength and conditioning - Generate upskilling opportunities for New Zealand based strength and conditioning coaches
- Provide mentorship for developing strength and conditioning coaches within New Zealand, keeping them engaged and enhancing practice
- Provide consistently strong strength and conditioning delivery to athletes across the country
NZSCA Accreditation Levels:
Level 1: Foundation Coach
Pre-requisite
- Completed sport science related degree
- Current Comprehensive First Aid Certificate
- Be a current SESNZ Member
Assessments
- Technical lifting coaching and demonstration video (i.e. Squat / Deadlift etc)
- Delivery, planning and reflection of S&C sessions
Level 1 Foundation Coach Assessments
Level 2: S&C Practitioner Coach
Pre-requisite
- Pathway 1: Foundation coach with 18-months relevant S&C experience and attend Practioner course
- Pathway 2: Sport science related degree, 3-years relevant S&C experience and attend Practioner course
- Pathway 3: Foundation coach completing MSc degree with an NZSCA aligned tertiary organsiation
- Applicants for this pathway are required to fill out the assessment registration form
- Current Comprehensive First Aid Certificate
- Be a current SESNZ Member
Assessments
- Technical lifting coaching and demonstration video (i.e. Clean / Push Press)
- Athlete Case Study
Level 3: S&C Advanced Practitioner Coach
Pre-requisite
- Hold a Level two prectitioner accreditation with 7 years’ relevant S&C coaching experience
- OR Have 10 years’ relevant S&C coaching experience and sport science related degree
- Current Comprehensive First Aid Certificate
- Advanced level application submitted to establish eligibility
- Be a current SESNZ Member
Assessment Options
Choose one option to complete
- Webinar for the membership area of SESNZ
- Workshop for SESNZ either at the conference OR in your reigon
- Practical based article for the membership area or article for the Journal of Sport and Exercise Science
- Bespoke option focused on proving value to the NZ S&C community
Level 4: Expert Practitioner
Achievement of this level will be decided by peers and require being a leader in the field of New Zealand strength and conditioning

Upcoming Level two accreditation -Practitioners course – Christchurch
$499
28th & 29th November 2020
Please fill in registration form above
Founding Members
Mat Blair
Masters of Physical Education
World Rugby Strength and Conditioning Consultant
Mark Drury
Masters of Strength and Conditioning
Owner of Elite Fit NZ
Nic Gill
PhD in Exercise Physiology
Associate Professor (Human Performance) University of Waikato
Keir Hanson
PhD in Sport Science, and Master of Business Administration
Stephen Hotter
Post Grad Dip in Sport Science
Head of Strength and Conditioning HPSNZ
Frans Van der Merwe
Master in Musculoskeletal Exercise Rehabilitation
Midlands Hockey Head of Strength and Conditioning
Ruth Naidoo
Master in Health Science
Co-Director at Physical Impact
Jamie Tout
Bachelor of Physical Education
VX Sport Performance Director