Coaches

Stephen Oliver

Stephen Oliver

Stephen is the Nelson, New Zealand based holder of five National Championship titles and has over 30 years involvement in motorcycle sport.
Overseas competition experience in the Trials Scottish 6-Day and World Championship rounds has given Stephen a level of experience that makes him especially qualified to offer the new generation of motorcycle riders in depth coaching.
"While having ridden all dirt bike disciplines, I believe Trials has a great deal to offer both parent and youth - individually and in partnership.
My mission", Stephen says, "is to assist you with your riding and preparing both your bike and yourself".

Our Trials experts know what those new to the sport are capable of doing, and teach you through step-by-step instruction, gradually moving your comfort level higher, allowing you to explore your limits and ride confidently where you've never been before.
The Trials control techniques will help you become a better all around rider.

Stephen wants youngsters to stay in his sport so he's designed the country's first purpose built Trials course just South of Nelson.

"The aim of this in particular is to produce more talented young riders so they can compete competitively overseas. At the moment we get them to a certain level and then they just stop."
To help get over that obstacle Oliver's set up the NonStop Trials Academy.

Stephen's coaching is already proving successful, producing NZ Junior Champions in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008 so things look set to continue positively for the Academy and the Sport of Trials.

Warren Laugesen

Warren Laugesen

"The greatest skill is balance. Once you've got your balance right, obviously the object of the sport is not to put your feet down."

I have been riding trials for nearly 20 years, which has included a three year stint in the UK where I gained many of my current skills and experience. Two of those years were spent riding as a supported rider for the Beta UK team in all British National and Championship events including 2x Scottish Six Day events. In 1997 I finished 12th in the open British Championships and completed a full European Championship series, plus two finishing awards at two World Round events coming 23 & 24. Upon returning from Europe I have honed my skills to take out 8 NZ National Championships and twice Australian Champion in 1999 & 2001.
I see my position these days as more of a role model and coach to try and encourage our younger riders to progress through the sport to a point where they are willing and capable to compete on the international stage. I want other Kiwis to experience the same things in UK and Europe as I have riding with and competing against the best in the world in this great friendly sport of trials.

Nick Oliver

Nick Oliver

Nick Oliver is the latest edition to our coaching team. Nicholas started riding on trials push-bikes at a very young age moving to a TY80 and later to the Montesa 315.
He achieved NZ Junior Championship status in 2004 and rode in Japan in 2006 and 2008 at the Idemitsu Ihatove Trial with Takumi Narita, achieving a podium finish.
He has been part of the High Performance Squad trained by Warren Laugesen, Karl Clark and Stephen Oliver. Nick won the NZ A-Grade Championship and North Island A-Grade Championships in 2007.Nick is currently riding at top level in New Zealand at present and secured a very creditable 3rd place in the 2008 championship.
Nicholas brings with him the energy and enthusiasm of youth and is a very people friendly, helpful personality giving great assistance to younger riders. He has a high level of patience and commitment to see people achieve great results in the sport.
He will be a great asset to the coaching team.

Karl Clark

Karl Clark

Karl has been involved with Trials since 1990 and his best result was in 2003 when he won NZ Expert Championship and a top ten position in the Australian Championship, before he retired from trials due to business commitments. Now as the father of twin boys he is keen to help with Youth development in the sport.
In 2008 Karl and his family spent a year with Jake Whitaker in Europe, as he attacked the world youth championship. With Karl acting as minder for Jake, the young Wellington rider brought home World Youth 10th placing.
Karl has a great attitude and an excellent rapport with the Youth of the sport and is a great addition to the coaching team.

Jason Baker

Jason Baker

Jason Baker is a long time competitor having been riding trials for over 20 years.
He has won a very creditable 10 South Island Championship titles and represented New Zealand 5 times as a member of the Trials De Nations team.

He has also been one of the top contenders at the NZ Champs for many years and his consistent long term experience make him a very worthy member of our coaching team.
As father to two young children Jason has recently come back to competitive riding.
Jason is well liked by the Youth members of the High Performance Squad.

Steve Butler

A Scottish Six Day competitor with experience in the British Trials circuit and World rounds competing amongst John Lampkin and his peers, Steve participated in observed motorcycle trials at local, national and international level throughout the late 80s. After retiring from competitive riding Steve pursued his interest in personal professional development as a facilitator in organisational development, cultural change management and high performance coaching.

Steve assists with leadership development and high performance coaching at the NonStop Trials Academy. He specialises in developing mentally and emotionally fit athletes capable of an inner strength that sets them apart from their peers in performance, personal authority, emotional core strength and physical achievement.

For more information see Steve's website be-still

Warwick Merriman

Warwick Merriman

Warwick Merriman, father of NZ Trials Champion and World Enduro Champion Stefan Merriman.

"I have 30 years International experience, including the Scottish 6 day. I also hold 7 New Zealand Trials titles."

As a level one MNZ coach, I fully endorse the Non Stop Trials Academy as the ultimate trials practice area in New Zealand, for all levels of rider skills.