Simon Fathers
San Francisco rugby academy isexcited to introduce Simon Fathers as the latest addition to their respected Coaching staff. Simon comes with many years experience as a player on professional and semi-professional levels in both Rugby and Rugby league and nine years of competitive international and professional coaching experience. He has earned the prestigious 'SAQ for Rugby' International Diploma and has a NZRU level 1 coaching qualification.
Simon recently completed a Performance Specialist Internship with Athletes' Performance (AP), the world's leading human performance centre at their facility in Phoenix, Arizona. He was responsible for assisting the Performance Specialists with day to day coaching tasks and implementing the best exercises and training programs to meet the individual needs of elite athletes, including players from the NFL, MLS, MLB and Tactical personnel. Simon also worked with the #1 ranked 2010 NFL combine preparation program at Athletes Performance which produced 8 first round 2010 NFL draft picks including #1 and #3. Simon is currently working as a Rugby Consultant with Athletes' Performance and regularly liaises with International Rugby teams. Athletes' Performance has worked with the Argentina National Rugby Team since the last World Cup and continues to provide performance services to "Los Pumas."
Last year, Simon held the positions of Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach for the (Professional) Bay of Plenty Rugby Union (Steamers) Air New Zealand Cup Team and the position of Head Strength and Conditioning Coach/Skills Coach for the Guam National Rugby Union Teams. Prior to working with to the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union, Simon was a power specialist involved with Waikato Rugby Union and worked with the Waikato Chiefs Franchise's Pre-Academy.
Simon was mentored by New Zealand Olympic lifting team coach, Richard Dryden. This experience provided his foundation in Olympic lifting and combined with Simon's experience as a player in both Rugby Union and League, it proved to be a perfect mix for developing rugby specific power. An example of his training style can be showcased by the personal improvement and results, in the area of power development, by the players in the 2008 Waikato High Performance Program. Fourteen players in the Waikato High Performance Program earned selection on the 2008 Waikato ANZC team. A majority of these players now play for the Chiefs Super 15 and the current Waikato ITM Cup teams.
His current position as the Academy High Performance Manager involves the development and nurturing of the athletes the club has identified through its Talent Identification Process. Simon has had much experience coaching players and in developing strength & conditioning programmes for such athletes as New Zealand All Blacks, Mills Miliaina, Sitivini Sivivatu, Richard Kahui, Liam Messam, Aled DeMalmanche, Tanerau Latimar, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Mike Delany and other representives playing for Manu Samoa, USA Eagles, New Zealand Maoris', New Zealand Sevens, Super 15 teams and NZ age grade teams.
Simon's coaching philosophy is based on a holistic assessment and "the cornerstone of how I approach every training goal is to keep players motivated and energetic. An athlete may have ample amounts of skill, but his body will not work to its highest athletic potential if his mind is not in absolute conjunction".
Simon has been working alongside Head Coach Paul Keeler since the 2010 Grand Final in preparation for this upcoming season. Simon is "very excited about the opportunity to work with academy and the possibilities that lay ahead for athletes involved with rugby in the Northern California and Bay area." Northern California Rugby teams should benefit greatly from Simon Father's appointment with us.
