Empowering young Athletes to reach their Potential

About

Spartans Athletic Academy

The Academy is a transformative programme tailored to nurture and empower junior and youth level athletes from every sporting discipline. Whether your child is passionate about Rugby, Football, Netball, Hockey, Tennis, Gymnastics, Dance, Swimming, or seeks to improve their overall physical activity, this specialized initiative is designed to unlock their full potential.

Spartans Athletic Academy will be offering programmes in Athletic Development, Resistance Training & Sport Specific sessions. There is something to suit every young athlete. As the academy grows, so will the programmes and opportunities offered. Future Goals will be to get in other Guest Coaches and Professional Athletes that can also motivate and inspire our young athletes to dream big and take their game to the next level.

Skills Development

The Programme focuses on developing a comprehensive set of physical and athletic skills, including:

Speed

Coordination

Balance

Strength

Flexibility

Hand-eye coordination

Footwork

Motor skills

Endurance

Overall fitness

With a dynamic approach that combines specialized drills, exercises, and games, athletes are prepared for excellence in their chosen sports.

Life Skills Training
Beyond physical development, the Academy emphasizes the cultivation of essential life skills such as:

Confidence

Determination

Perseverance

Problem solving

A 'Never Give Up' attitude

These attributes contribute to holistic growth, empowering athletes to tackle challenges both on and off the field.

The Academy prides itself on fostering an engaging yet challenging environment that inspires children to excel. Each session is meticulously designed to be enjoyable and stimulating, ensuring that children not only develop their physical abilities but also build a lifelong love for fitness and sport. Professional coaching and interactive activities encourage active participation, instilling confidence and enthusiasm among young athletes.

Structured Sessions
Each session within the Academy is thoughtfully structured to ensure maximum benefit for its participants. Athletes will experience:

Professional coaching with a focus on individual growth

Exciting drills and games designed to enhance participation and enjoyment

Guidance on proper warm-up and cool-down techniques using both static and dynamic stretches

Speed and coordination drills to sharpen their athletic prowess

Fun exercises and games tailored to their developmental needs

Why Choose the Spartans Athletic Academy?
The programme is a unique opportunity for parents to provide their children with the edge they need to thrive in their sporting pursuits. Through expert coaching, a supportive environment, and a focus on both athletic and personal development, the Academy ensures that every child grows into a well-rounded individual.

If you’re looking to give your child the advantage they deserve, don’t wait! The Athletic Development Academy welcomes all young athletes ready to embark on a journey of growth, learning, and success. Join today and take the first step toward unlocking your child's potential.

Coach

Martin Collins, BTchg, DipSR

Qualifications

Bachelor of Teaching

Diploma in Sport and Recreation.

National Academy Coaching License

Empowering Young Athletes Through Expertise and Dedication

Martin is an accomplished and highly experienced coach specializing in junior and youth athlete development. With over 30,000 hours of coaching experience and a solid foundation in education and sports development, Martin has cultivated an exceptional ability to guide young athletes toward achieving their full potential in their chosen sporting pursuits.

Coaching Experience

Martin’s coaching career spans over the past 23 years, during which he has focused on junior and youth athletes. His expertise is reflected in his role as Director and Head Coach of All-Stars Football Academy, for the past 14 years. During this time All-Stars FA has developed a strong reputation not only here in New Zealand, but also Internationally through his academies achievements. These achievements are testament to his ability to inspire and lead athletes to excellence.

Philosophy and Passion

Martin is deeply passionate about nurturing young athletes, helping them push boundaries and achieve their goals, whether those are within a specific sporting code or broader athletic aspirations. His approach blends personalized development strategies with motivational coaching, ensuring that every child he works with gains a competitive edge in their sporting journey.

Educational Background

With over five years of tertiary study specializing in sports and education, Martin combines academic insight with practical expertise. This unique blend equips him with the tools to offer tailored guidance to young athletes, fostering their growth in both physical performance and mental fortitude.

Martin’s unparalleled experience and commitment to youth development make him a standout choice for parents looking to support their child’s sporting journey. Under his guidance, athletes gain not only improved skills but also the confidence to excel in their chosen fields.

Testimonials

Olivia Lassey

US College Scholarship: Collin College, Cougar Athletics

We began working with Martin when Olivia was around five years old, and his approach has always been exceptionally professional. His dedication to detail, thoughtful program planning, and emphasis on fostering a love for hard work and daily improvement have been the cornerstone of our daughter’s development—both as an athlete and as a person. The foundational skills and mindset Olivia learned from Martin have carried over to her football and basketball careers, where she has represented both the Bay of Plenty in football and basketball, the NZ Maori team in football, and New Zealand in basketball. In 2023, she was part of the winning team at the NBA Basketball Without Borders event. Through sport, Olivia has gained incredible life experiences, traveling everywhere from the USA, China, Taiwan, Scotland, England, Papua New Guinea, Doha, Czechoslovakia, Croatia, Singapore, and of course, Australia—multiple times, to name just a few. She is now on a scholarship at a college in the States, living her best life. We are so appreciative of the strong foundation Martin built through his coaching and mentorship, and the impact he has had on Olivia’s journey and development as a young woman and athlete. Zak Lassey

Julian David

Olympian Team NZ - Speed Climbing Paris 2024

Martin was an incredible coach during my younger years, and the impact he had on my development, both as an athlete and as a person, was massive. Those early years were some of the most important in shaping not just my sporting path, but also my values, mindset, and work ethic in life. Martin didn’t just teach me how to play football, he taught me discipline, resilience, teamwork, and what it meant to lead by example.
His guidance extended far beyond the pitch. He created an environment that pushed me to be better every day, believed in me when I didn’t always believe in myself, and laid the foundation for the athlete I’ve become today. Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for the role he played during those formative years. Thank you, Martin, for everything your influence still shows up in who I am and what I do.

Julian David

Lane Trump

US College Scholarship Franklin Grizzlies

Coach Martin has dedicated his career to unlocking the potential in every athlete he works with—including me. His approach combines passion, discipline, and a deep understanding of athletic development. Through sport-specific programs, resistance training, and mental conditioning, he creates well-rounded, high-performing athletes prepared for every challenge. Martin’s training has been about more than just building physical strength; it’s also shaped my mindset and mental toughness. The work we’ve done together pushed me beyond my limits, whether through summer camps, school-based sports programs, or personalized resistance training sessions. He made sure I was always ready—not just to compete, but to lead and grow. Looking back, my journey as an athlete is a direct reflection of his influence. The countless hours of tailored drills, conditioning, and guidance transformed me into a multi-sport athlete with a deep understanding of the game. Martins coaching helped me sharpen my speed, strength, and decision-making on the field, which played a huge part in my success throughout high school and ultimately allowed me to continue my soccer career at Franklin College in Indiana. But your impact didn’t stop on the field. The mental resilience you helped me build carried over into the classroom, where I graduated with honors. You taught me how to stay focused, push through adversity, and lead with integrity—lessons I take with me into every game and every part of life. Coach Martin played a major role in shaping me as an athlete and person I’ve become. I know you’ll bring that same energy, dedication, and trans-formative impact to every athlete who walks through the doors of your new Sports Academy.

Lane Trump

Ashton Pellow

Cumbernauld Colts FC, Scotland

Martin We would like to convey our heartfelt thanks to you for all the effort, leadership and coaching skill that you have put into Ashton during the last 10 years, not to mention the support and guidance you continue to put into him as he navigates his new life in Scotland. From the very first time he came along to an All-Stars session as a young boy who loved football with a passion, you have inspired him, challenged him as well as being a friend and mentor to him. He has loved every minute of his involvement which is mainly due to your drive, dedication and passion for what you do. Ashton has made life-long friends, developed as a person and been on countless experiences playing football from tournaments in Taupo, Napier, New Plymouth, Christchurch, Sydney, and Scotland. It is with great respect and admiration that we thank you again. You have become a valued friend to us over the years as well as Ashton’s mentor, confidant and coach. We will never be able to repay you but please accept our sincere gratitude for helping our little boy with big dreams get well on the way to making them come true.

Mark and Dianne Pellow

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Kyle Koch

Wellington Phoenix FC - Reserves

Martin has played a key role in the early stages to help me get to this point in my career. As a person and as a coach he has given me the tools to be able to grow. On the field, Martin's knowledge of the game and sport in general has helped me to get better and better over the years. With the various drills he has created to target the aspects of the game, he has allowed me to get better overall as a player. Another aspect that was provided was theory and resistance lessons. As Martin's dedication to the players meant that he wanted them all to be a good player, which involves having all the boxes ticked, and to get better, you have to get better on and off the pitch. Theory lessons helped me to understand what I could be doing more of on the pitch, and also helped me to understand what I could be doing more of off the pitch, such as healthy nutrition, sleep, etc. Resistance lessons played a major role in becoming a better player, as being strong and quick helps extensively on the field. Whether it be through protecting the ball, or beating another player in a sprint. In terms of opportunities, Martin has more than enough contacts worldwide. In my time with Martin, he planned trips for us to Scotland, Australia, England, and around NZ, where we played against some top teams, including Manchester City and Glasgow Rangers. Overall as a coach, Martin has more than enough knowledge about football and all sports, to help you get better and constantly improve.

As a person, Martin creates a great environment to learn, grow and enjoy yourself. His friendliness and ability to have a laugh when needed, helps in creating a feeling of support and overall enjoyment. But on the flipside, Martin's ability to drive me and push me, even when I didn't think i could keep going, has helped me to grow and instilled a sense of discipline and hardwork within me. So even when I'm tired, I still keep pushing. So not only has he helped me to grow in football, but the lessons and traits he has instilled me, such as discipline, dedication and resilience, will last me a lifetime. Martin always used to like to say, “Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn't work hard.” Kyle Koch

Phillip Lind Azevedo

Wellington Phoenix u18s

Coach Martin has been a huge part of my football journey and helped shape me into the player I am today. From the start, his training sessions were super focused and structured.

He really emphasized the basics, like positioning and decision making, and that made a big difference in how I saw the game. He pushed us to stay disciplined and hold ourselves accountable, which taught me how to take football seriously and show up with purpose.

One thing Coach Martin always said stuck with me: “Hard work beats talent when talent isn’t working hard.” That mindset became a core part of how I approached the game. It reminded me that no matter how skilled you are, it’s the effort you put in that really sets you apart.

Phillip Lind Azevedo

Mount Maunganui

Empowering young Athletes to reach their Potential

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