A1 coach (Premier 1) : John Atkins.

John has been head coach of Massey A1s since 2008. Bringing the team up from Premier 2 grade to be serious competitors in Premier 1. Under John's leadership, our A1s have managed to secure the Manawatu Premier 1 championship title for 2018, 2017, 2016 and Runners up in 2015. John is a high performance coach and has coached representative netball teams from intermediate level, age group, NPC, and the last Western team in 2012. John coached the Manawatu U17s who won the NNZ title in 2012; Manawatu U19 to National Championships in 2014 and 2nd in 2017 and also coached the Massey University team to win the University National Championship shield in 2018. John’s passion and genuine care for the game, his players, and development of other coaches is reflected on and off the court. Those who have been fortunate to be coached by John, which include past and current ANZ and Beko players, know how incredible he is. John was made a Massey Netball Life Member in 2016 and also received a Netball Manawatu Service Award in 2018. John also gives more of his time to offer advice and guidance as a coaching mentor to our Prem and Non-prem coaches either at their trainings, games on a Saturday or at coaches team breifings at headquarters. Why? Because he is just that choice!