“A good coach can change a game, a great coach can change a life.”John Wooden (American basketball coach)
When you ask most people about their memories of school sport, they often initially reference the friendships, but very quickly, the thought of a coach that believed in them also brings about a warm glow. At Haileybury, we are fortunate to have a diverse coaching team; from elite level ex-champions and highly credentialed teachers with years of community sport experience, to ex-students coming back and playing a mentoring role with younger Haileyburians. Below is just a snapshot of those passionate individuals who are committed to ‘changing the lives’ of our students at all levels of sport at Haileybury.
Melissa Barbieri
Melissa was an Australian international soccer goalkeeper who earned 86 Matildas ‘caps’ and competed at four FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments (one of only two women to achieve this feat), as well as captaining the Matildas to victory in the 2010 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. At Haileybury, Melissa is the Head Coach of Girls Soccer, where she leads the best players in the School. Melissa also takes an active involvement in the development of future girls teams through her passionate work with Middle School players.
David Lappage
David is a respected Old Haileyburian and Maths teacher at Haileybury, who played firsts for football and cricket. Having previously coached the first boys football team to three premierships, he is now the Head of Golf (which for the first time became an official APS Sport this term) and coaches the 9A water polo team. David is also the coach of the Old Haileybury Women’s football team.
Puck Okhuizen (OH 2023)
Puck was a sporting star at Haileybury, playing in the first hockey team for six years, as well as playing first tennis. She also took part in rowing, water polo, touch and athletics. This year she returned in a coaching capacity and has coached at all levels of the college, including Years 7 and 8 boys tennis and girls hockey, 2nd girls tennis and hockey, Years 5 and 6 boys and girls hockey, and Years 5 and 6 girls touch at Brighton. She even found the time to help at APS athletics day. When asked about her motivation to return, she cited giving back to the school, the personal development that comes from seeing sport from a different perspective and most of all, the joy she gets from coaching younger kids.
These three individuals are reflective of the over 500 coaches that each year bring the Haileybury sports program to life. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all of our coaches — those cold winter mornings, the long days coaching cricket or weeks spent rehearsing aerobics routines can often feel like thankless contributions, but your passion to support each child in creating their own unique sporting memories at Haileybury is most appreciated by all.
Matthew Dwyer
Head of Sport (One Haileybury)
