COACHING STAFF

Head Coaches

Offensive Coach - Jonathan Entwistle

Selected as the Qb for the NZ Steel Blacks and NZ Makos flag football team in 2016, Jono is the most techincal minded QB in NZ. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience that stems from over 10 years of playing American Football both in NZ and abroad. Coached by a former NCAA Division 1 coach, Jono brings a skill set that is second to none and knowlegde of the sport that not many clubs in NZ have access to.

Defensive Coach - Shane Tinetti

Shane was selected as the defensive captain for the NZ Makos Flag Football team and the NZ Steel Blacks in 2016. And is now The defensive co-ordinator for the national Flag Team. He has earned the reputation as one of the defnesive master minds in flag football in NZ. Begining his football career in Brisbane Australia for the Western Cougars, He was able to quickly develop into one of the best Defensive backs in the league while being Coached by ex Australian representitives and GQ hall of famers. Returning home to Nelson in 2012, Shane started Gridiron Nelson (now NAFC) bringing with him the knowledge and experience he learned from the coaches from his former club to grow the sport in Nelson and NZ.

Assistant Coaches 

Wide Recievers Coach - Mitch Bateman

Mitch had a break out year in the first Nelson Honey Bowl Compititon leading the comp in touchdowns and in total yards. He continued this stand out performace in the annual south island championship derby against Canterbury in Feb 2017 scoring 3 touchdowns. Mitch was also selected as part of the NZ makos 2017 Flag football campaign. Coming from a rugby and athletics background mitch brings with him a wide range of coaching experience.

Centre/Pass rush Coach - Malcolm Mitchell

Malcolm is another stand out for the NAFC, having the most receptions total for the entire season he has establish himself as the guy to beat at his selected position. Malcolm also brings alot of coaching experience from his other roles in and around the Nelson/Tasman Community.

Defensive Backs Coach - Jirka Simecka

Affecitonatly known as 'Jorge' or Jiri, Jirka comes to Nelson from the Czech Republic. He has played for his beloved Semi pro Club in Czech for many years as well as being on the coaching staff of his nations womans Flag football team... oh yeah and hes also been apart of the mens team as well. He has brough more wealth, experience, and knowledge to our club. He has been a national stand out at the last two previous national tournaments, racking up interception after interception, and caught the attention of the entire Nz flag football community. We are hoping he will be able to return for 2020/21 season after competing this year back in his home country.