OUR STAFF

Graeme Davidson

Operations Manager

Hi I’m Graeme, I am the Operations Manager at Hawkes Bay Youth Trust and I am responsible for the business elements of the trust, I have come to the trust from a number of sports administration and event roles, previously having worked at FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 as Venue General Manager at Sky Stadium, Hutt Valley Softball Association, and Wellington Phoenix Football Club and SPCA after having spent 10 years in the Royal New Zealand Navy.

I am passionate about travel, and I have been fortunate enough to have visited over 50 countries in my life and lived in three England, Australia alongside NZ, I have always coached and have been coaching and playing football for over 30 years, starting when I was at high school and have coached all levels from juniors to seniors, and recently have been the driving force behind the rebuild of Wellington Marist Football Club.

As a qualified chef, I enjoy a good dinner gathering and enjoy sharing time with friends, and can always be convinced for a round of golf.

I am looking forward to working in the trust and finding ways for us to expand our programmes and offer new alternative ‘vehicles’ for the trust to offer youth in Hawkes Bay to impact as many lives as we can.

Craig McDougall

Head Coach

Hi I’m Coach Craig, I am the Head Coach within the trust. I started Hawkes Bay Youth Trust in 2015, with a vision to “Help Young People and Their Whanau Live Lives They Value” with the aim of instilling discipline and providing a structure of Olympic style boxing to teach young men and women, how to be fit, well-mannered and active members of our community.

I was called to grow where I was planted, playing my role in growing a community that thrives not survives, one we all feel like we belong and feel connected to. I am a former New Zealand boxing champion, 2013 Hawke's Bay Person of the year and Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year 2023, after progressing my working career from builder, to strength and conditioning coach, to firefighter, and then coordinator of the Jarod Cunningham Sports Academy, decided that my calling and passion was to work with young people and help them navigate the complexities of life.

Alongside helping people, I am passionate about sharing food with whanau and friends, surfing and spending time with good humans.

Anthony Harlen

Coach

Hi I’m Anthony, I am the assistant coach within the trust and the head coach at Saints and the School’s Programme. I have been involved with Giants since 2019 when my niece & nephew started competing and my daughter started and I started helping  Coach Craig and then progressed to running them and in 2022 I was offered employment with Hawkes Bay Youth Trust.

I now work part time with Hawkes Bay Youth Trust conducting the schools programme and Saints, and part time at Peak Fitness in Havelock North where I am completing my personal trainer diploma.awkH

Alongside my passion of boxing, I spend a lot of time with my wife and two children.

The biggest lesson I have learnt since being with HBYT would be to the way I now parent, it has definitely made me a better father, and in the future, I am hoping to continue working for HBYT and hope to extend this to a full time role helping people belong, believe become the best versions of themselves they can be.

Natasha Davies

Admin & Funding Manager

Hi I’m Tash, I am the Administration and Funding Manager at Hawkes Bay Youth Trust and I joined team Giants in March 2023 and I am responsible for Admin, Memberships and Grant Funding for the HBYT, with a Background as a dispensing optician by trade, a customer service team leader and a PA to travelling sales reps, I came on board with HBYT as I was ready for a change in pace and ready to serve and work in an environment where I felt like I was really making a difference. Although I do not know a lot about boxing, I do know that here at Giants each person in our team contributes wholeheartedly to support, encourage and inspire others therefore really making an important difference in the lives that we touch thorough the sport of Boxing

Outside of work I enjoy crossfit, baking and hanging with the family, I have 2 children – Oliver aged 7 and Emersyn aged 1 and I am a co-owner of a glass & glazing business with my husband.

I am looking forward to the next few years where we can turn some of our dreams for the academy into reality, expand the ways we engaging with our members and extending our reach out in the wider community.

I love the feel of Giants Academy and how are members really are part of our family.