Located at Canterbury’s exceptional sporting facilities, the Aquatic and Tennis Centre and the international standard 400m Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Athletics Track, and featuring high quality coaching teams.
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Tennis
Queensland’s newest Tennis Program and Club for children from age four is run by well-known and highly regarded Head Coach Mr James Rapkins.
Our goal for every child is to not only have a great time whilst learning, but under our Long Term Athlete Development Pathway, provide every child with the physical and mental skills to compete socially, as part of the Taipans Club competition or Canterbury Junior TAS and TAS tennis teams, or all the way through to professional tennis levels.
Head Tennis Coach
Mr James Rapkins
James Rapkins is a name familiar to many Canterbury families through his long association with our TAS and JTAS programs, but also through his work in the Logan and Beenleigh tennis community.
James has been Head Coach of our Canterbury teams for more than a decade and has enjoyed great success in developing home-grown talent from beginner to College level. He also has great involvement with more than ten local Logan primary schools.
James has had more than 15 years as a board member for club, regional and state tennis and has deep affiliation with both Tennis Queensland and Tennis Australia. James has successfully run tennis clubs and his own tennis academy for many years, and prior to this, coached on the international stage in Miami, Florida.
“Having been a longtime supporter of the school, I jumped at the opportunity to build something very special in its tennis community; a great new club that can provide the skills and opportunity for players to succeed at all levels of the sport.”
Program 1
Hot Shots
Taipans ANZ Tennis Hot Shots Program starts at age four and introduces children to tennis in an energetic and fun team environment. With smaller courts and racquets, and specially designed balls, the program is the best way for children to commence and develop their tennis skills and love of the game.
Hot Shots Stages of Development
30 minute sessions start at age four and on the Coach’s recommendation, progress to Red Ball Pro 45 minute sessions where they commence learning how to play matches.
1 hour sessions start at age 7-8 and on the Coach’s recommendation, progress to Orange Ball Pro 90 minute sessions to learn how to play matches and increase their athletic awareness.
1 hour sessions start at age nine and on the Coach’s recommendation, progress to Green Balls Pro 90 minute sessions to work towards Club and interclub matches, fixtures and tournaments. Fitness and flexibility awareness and resistance training increase at this level.
1 hour sessions, entry level at age 12, and on the Coach’s recommendation, progress to Yellow Ball Pro 90 minute sessions. Speed and power training and tournament play are a part of developing as a competitor at this level.
Program 2
High Performance Squad
Coach James Rapkins hosts this highly rated tennis program, designed to motivate and enhance each player’s strength, speed, agility, flexibility and tactical abilities.
Students are challenged each week to improve as individuals to contribute to the overall success of the squad.
Program 4
Autumn Holiday Program
Sign up to our next holiday camps program, being run these Easter school holidays by our fantastic team of Taipans coaches. Come along for a half day, full day or all 3 days.
For more information about Taipans Tennis or to book in for a lesson
Contact Tennis Manager and Head Coach James Rapkins:
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Swimming
Head Swimming Coach
Mr Daniel Blackborrow
Daniel Blackborrow has a depth of experience as coach overseeing not only state and nationally ranked swimmers but also beginner and development squads.
He has experience in developing elite swimming programs for local, state and national squads gaining medal success at national and international levels. Daniel has also had experience with large learn to swim schools and is passionate about being able to develop Canterbury’s next national ranked swimmers from within our own learn to swim school.
Daniel is himself an accomplished athlete, still holding top-10 rank Junior times in his favourite stroke, backstroke. Raised on the Sunshine Coast, he has strong connections with Queensland Swimming and has also worked with well-known Australian coaches such as Ian Pope, gaining the opportunity to learn from and work with some of the world’s best.
“It has been a career goal of mine to develop a modern swimming program that allows members to enjoy the sport of swimming and caters for swimmers of all abilities, from learn to swim through to high performance squads. I am very excited to lead such a program at Canterbury.”
Program 1
Squad Training
The Taipans squad program offers a multi-level systematic approach to teaching, to ensure Canterbury and non-Canterbury swimmers will continue to enjoy the sport of swimming while developing their swimming abilities.
Develop stroke technique, training skills and prepare swimmers for school and interclub competitions.
Swimmers aged 7-15 years.
Develop stroke technique, training skills and prepare swimmers for school and interclub competitions.
Swimmers aged 7-15 years.
Develop stroke technique, skills, and energy systems. Preparing swimmers for competitions and working towards achieving a state age qualifying time.
Swimmers aged 10-18 years.
Preparing swimmers for state championship competitions and working towards achieving a national age qualifying time.
Swimmers aged 10-18 years.
Preparing swimmers for national and international competitions.
Swimmers who have achieved a national age or open qualifying time.
Program 2
Junior TAS and TAS Swimming Training (Year 3-12)
For Canterbury students interested in joining the Junior TAS and TAS Swimming Teams. Information for 2021 Swimming Training will be available soon.
For more information about Taipans Swimming or to book
Contact Swimming Manager and Head Coach Daniel Blackborrow
Athletics
The Canterbury Taipans Athletics Club is affiliated with Queensland Athletics.
Our athletes have access to opportunities to train and compete in the fundamental athletics movement skills of running, hurdling, throwing, walking, and jumping all year round in a safe and fun way. We have expert coaches available to all Taipans members, no matter their ability and skill set.
The Taipans Athletics Club utilises state of the art training facilities located on the grounds at Canterbury including a 400m Mondo surface running track and high jump and javelin areas kindly donated by the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games committee. Facilities also include shot put, discus and long jump pits.
Coordinator of Athletics
Mrs Brooke King
Brooke has been an athletics coach for 6 years, 3 of those years at Canterbury. She has trained athletes from all ages and abilities, from school level up to state level.
Brooke is a Level 2 Advanced coach in sprints, jumps, hurdles and relays.
She has coached the school TAS and Junior TAS teams to plenty of wins in both cross country and athletics.
“I’ve had many highlights as a coach; the most rewarding is helping athletes set their personal goals, work hard in training and then reach those goals. I work hard to really know my athletes, build their trust and customise sessions to help them get the most out of their training.”
Middle / Long Distance and Cross Country Coach
Miss Caitlin McQuilkin Bell
Caitlin McQuilkin Bell is an elite New Zealand distance athlete who has won many State and National titles and represented New Zealand at international competitions.
Recently, Caitlin returned to Australia from the USA where she studied and competed in the NCCA competitions representing University of Florida Gators alongside gaining a Bachelor of Science and Health Science qualification.
Since her return, Caitlin has been coaching and helping young Canterbury athletes achieve their middle / long distance running goals.
“I provide a happy, motivated and safe environment for all my student athletes to achieve their goals, train their best and compete at their highest level at meet days. As a coach my aim is to nurture their abilities and set up their individual athletic pathways with endless options and no limits.”
For more information about Taipans Athletics or to book
Contact our Coaching Staff