Sir Gordon Tietjens Travels from NZ
Fee Range: POA
Sir Gordon Tietjens's Biography
Gordon Tietjens has led New Zealand’s
dominating run in the world of rugby sevens. He is arguably New Zealand's most
successful sporting coach of the past 25 years. He has set the standard in
Sevens coaching since taking over as national coach in 1994. As at the end of
2014 he had coached the NZ Sevens team to 12 world titles from the 15
contested. In addition to 12 world titles his sides have won four Commonwealth
Games gold medals under his stewardship.
In May 2015 New Zealand qualified for the
2016 Rio Olympics. New Zealand did not have success in Rio, and in September
2016, Titch announced his retirement from the coaching role.
His story is unique in the annals of New
Zealand sporting achievement. He has an uncanny eye for spotting talent and
every year he introduces new stars of the future to New Zealand rugby. Stars
like Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen and Joe Rokocoko. But as quickly as he
launches them on to the world stage, they are snapped up by other coaches for
Super 14 and All Blacks duty. Tietjens talks about the great success his teams
have enjoyed as well as the frustrations he has faced at losing players for
important tournaments. As well, he will talk about his legendary training
methods and hard-nosed approach to winning.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s. In 1999
his efforts were recognised by being awarded the NZ Order of Merit in the New
Year’s Honours List. In 2007 Gordon was awarded a Companion of the New Zealand
Order of Merit for services to rugby. In 2012 Gordon received a knighthood.
Gordon was named the New Zealand Rugby Union Coach of the Year for 2010,
recognised for guiding his team to a fourth consecutive Commonwealth Games gold
medal.
In May 2012 Gordon became the 49th
inductee into the International Rugby Board's Hall of Fame. The commemorative
cap and gold pin were presented at an awards ceremony at Twickenham, shortly
after New Zealand clinched their 10th World Series title from 13 attempts.
Gordon has been the New Zealand sevens
coach since 1994, guiding the team through a string of wins in tournaments from
South America to Dubai.In 2013 Gordon's team were once again World Champions
this time in Russia.
Gordon represented New Zealand in rugby
sevens in 1983 and played 86 games for Bay of Plenty between 1981 and 1989.
In May 2006 Gordon released his book
"Sevens Mastery". His second book "Titch-Sevens is my game"
was a best seller.
Gordon
will speak from the heart and share his philosophies that have helped him bring
out the very best in so many people over a 20 year span, to motivate and drive
you to aspire to the same levels of dedication and commitment that the people
he has coached to the top of their game have consistently reached. Gordon is a
compelling and fascinating speaker who will motivate and inspire you to achieve
the most you can.