Golden Dragons Athletics Department
PICTURE OF COACHES IN ACTION
As well as being great teachers, we are lucky at HIS to have faculty members with an abundance of experience to share with our student athletes as athletics team coaches..
Our coaches are selected based on their prior experience playing and coaching and in many cases, they themselves continue to actively pursue healthy lifestyles through involvement in sports teams, running events and other forms of activity in Hangzhou and throughout China.
The HIS Athletics Department welcomes the support of parents who have experience and expertise in any of the sports we offer. If you would like to volunteer some time to assist our coaches and athletes please contact athletics@his-china.org
Find your team's coaches below and read a little about their background and interests in sport and recreation.
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES
Mr. Filipe Nogueira
- Varsity Girls Soccer Head Coach
- Middle School Girls Soccer Coach
- Lower School Soccer Coach
BIO
Coaching Philosophy
Success in youth coaching should not be measured solely by wins but equally by technical improvement, development of understanding, and fostering enjoyment in playing the game.
Experience in Sports
As a student I participated in Soccer, Australian Rules Football, Hockey, Basketball, Tennis, Cricket, and every other sport I could access recreationally. Through college and into my 30’s I played predominantly Soccer, Basketball and Australian Rules Football, winning regional/state championships in all three sports. More recently, I have taken up the sport of triathlon, competing 2 half-Ironman events and hopefully some full-length Ironman events in the near future.
Coaching Experience
- 6 Years High School Boys & Girls Soccer
- 4 Years Program Manager at Henley High School Sports Academy
- 2 Years Soccer Coach at Australian National Youth Championships (U13/U15)
- 1 Year Futsal Coaching at Australian National Youth Championships (U13)
- 3 Years High School Boys & Girls Basketball
Coaching Certifications/Qualifications
- FIFA / AFC / Football Federation of Australia – ‘C-License’
- American Swimming Coaches Association – Level 1 and 2 Accreditation
Sporting Heroes
Michael Jordan, Roger Federer, Gary Ablett Snr.
SWIMMING AND AQUATICS COORDINATOR
Mr. Charlie Semple
- HIS Dragon Swim Team Head Coach
BIO
ATHLETICS COACHES (Listed Alphabetically)
Mrs. Lisa Bistretzan
- Lower School Cross Country Coach
BIO
Mr. Philip Bistretzan
- Middle School Floor Hockey Coach
- Middle School Badminton Coach
BIO
Coaching Philosophy
Every day get a little bit better in some way and be a good teammate.
Experience in Sports
The sport I am best at is softball. The sport I most enjoy playing is curling. The sport I most enjoy watching live is volleyball. I ran my first three half-marathons last year in Morocco and participate in any recreational sport on offer except soccer.
Coaching Experience
- Multiple years coaching children’s softball.
- 2 years coaching High School Boys’ Volleyball.
- 3 years coaching Middle School Badminton.
- 3 years coaching FIRST Lego League robotics
Sporting Heroes
Glen Howard, Christine Sinclair, George St. Pierre
Mr. Cameron Burns
- Varsity Girls Soccer Assistant Coach
- Middle School Boys Soccer Coach
- Middle School Touch Rugby Coach
- Lower School Soccer Coach
BIO
Mr. Matthew Cushman
- Varsity Girls Basketball Head Coach
- Middle School Boys Basketball Head Coach
BIO
Coaching Philosophy
“Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable.”
- John Wooden
Experience in Sports
I grew up playing Little League baseball and city league basketball, both starting in 4th grade. I started volleyball in middle school and continued playing all three sports through high school. In university I played several sports different years at different universities.
Coaching Experience
- 5 Years High School Boys Basketball
- 2 Years High School Girls Volleyball
- 2 Year Middle School Girls Volleyball
- 2 Year Middle School Boys Basketball
- 1 Year High School Boys Football (Soccer)
Coaching Certifications/Qualifications
American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor
Sporting Heroes
Drew Brees, John Wooden, Larry Bird, Peyton Manning
Mrs. Jackie Cloete
- Middle School Badminton Coach
BIO
Mr. Ruan Cloete
BIO
Coaching Philosophy
In everything you do as a coach, make a positive difference.
Experience in Sports
From early years, I participated in Rugby and Athletics. Throughout university I played Rugby and served on the universities All sports council for two years. I also played Rugby for the local town club and we won the regional trophy twice. When I started my teaching career I was a member of the regional Athletics association and I served as the Head of sports at my previous school for two years coordinating Netball, Rugby, Soccer, Cricket and Track and field.
Coaching Experience
- 3 years Rugby B u/11, u/13
- 1-year Rugby B u/9
- 3 years track B/G u/10-13
- 2 years touch Rugby middle school B/G
- 1-year track and field middle school B/G
Coaching Certifications/Qualifications
Boksmart
Sporting Heroes
Jonah Lomu, Usian Bolt, Os du Randt
Mr. Aaron Foster
- Varsity Track and Field Head Coach
- Middle School Track and Field Coach
BIO
Coaching Philosophy
Success in track and field isn’t indicated by the number of medals a person wins but by how much they grow and develop throughout the course of the season. I believe every track athlete has the ability to compete and be successful in the sport of track and field and contribute to the team in more ways than one.
Experience in Sports
My time in track started when I was in middle school and progressed all the way through to the collegiate level. As a high school student I competed in track and field as well as American football for all four years of my high school career. In high school I was fortunate enough to be a part of the 4x800m relay that broke the school record which has yet to be bettered. My track and field events were the 400m and 800m runs. After high school I received a scholarship to compete in American Football and Track in college running the 400m and 800m at the collegiate level.
Coaching Experience
- 6 Years High School Boys / Girls Track and Field
- 1 Year Collegiate Level Men/Women Track and Field
Coaching Certifications/Qualifications
National Federation of High School Sports – Track and Field
Sporting Hero
Steve Prefontaine.
Ms. Kaitlin Hooper
- Varsity Girls Basketball Assistant Coach
- Middle School Girls Basketball Coach
BIO
Coaching Philosophy
Work hard, be balanced, put in 100% and enjoy the game!
Experience in Sports
As a student I participated in Basketball, Volleyball, Track & Field, Swimming and any recreational or intramural sports available. I played basketball outside of school through Grade 12 on a top Ontario team. In University I coached secondary students and refereed a variety of sports, while getting a Bachelor of Kinesiology. I have since continued playing basketball, running for enjoyment, and hopefully will be back into many more sports activities here in Hangzhou!
Coaching Experience
- 5+ Years Girls House League Basketball Coach
- 2 Seasons Triathlon Water Training Coach
- 2 Years Girls Grade 4-6 Basketball, Track-&-Field, Soccer, & Volleyball Coach
- 1 Year Juvenile Girls Basketball Assistant Coach
Coaching Certifications/Qualifications
NCCP Level 1 Learn to Train
Sporting Heroes
Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Lisa Leslie
Mr. Simon Lamplugh
- Varsity Badminton Coach
BIO
Ms. Beatriz Lopez
- Middle School Girls Coach
BIO
Coaching Philosophy
A successful team is one who shares common values and understandings of the importance of skills such as collaboration, integrity, and effort.
Experience in Sports
I have always been passionate about athletics. I believe physical education is a great way to teach and practice teamwork and problem-solving skills. As an adult, I maintained this passion by participating in soccer leagues and running clubs. I have completed two Chicago marathons and one sprint triathlon.
Coaching Experience
Classroom teachers are coaches too. Although I have never officially coached a sport, I am excited to put into practice the same principles of good teaching by focusing on the greater strength that comes from the team, not the individual players.
Sporting Heroes
Mia Hamm
Mrs. Nora May
- Varsity Ultimate Frisbee Coach
- Middle School Ultimate Frisbee Coach
BIO
Coaching Philosophy
I am excited about activities that support comraderie and collaboration among teammates and find great value in mixed sports such as Ultimate Frisbee that allow girls and boys to play together on the same team. I encourage students to try new sports and to become lifelong athletes, which supports many aspects of personal growth.
Experience in Sports
I grew up hiking, bicycling, kayaking and camping with my family and was encouraged to be active from a very young age. I began skiing at the age of 10 and fell in love with winter sports, spending time in the mountains of Colorado before moving to Hangzhou. I also played tennis at the varsity level in high school and college as a team captain. Recreationally, I enjoy bicycling, hiking, mountain biking and running and love exploring my surroundings.
Coaching Experience
- 1 Year coaching middle school Ultimate Frisbee at HIS
- 3 Years coaching tennis at a summer camp in California
- 3 Years volunteer ski coaching for Disabled Sports of Eastern Sierras
Coaching Certifications/Qualifications
First Aid/CPR training
Sporting Heroes
Venus & Serena Williams and Picabo Street
Mr. Alex May
- Varsity Cross Country Head Coach
- Middle School Cross Country Coach
Mrs. Heather Plotz
- Varsity Girls Volleyball Assistant Coach
BIO
Mr. Chaddwick Plotz
- Varsity Boys Head Coach
- Middle School Boys Coach
- Middle School Floor Hockey Coach
Mr. Andres Sanchez
- Varsity Boys Soccer Head Coach
- Middle School Boys Soccer Coach
BIO
Coaching Philosophy
A student athlete is first and foremost, a student. As such, I believe that academic performance, interpersonal, and family relationships must take priority before setting foot on the pitch. These attributes will prove essential when being part of a team as one has to exhibit team work, commitment and willingness to sacrifice for the benefit of the team.
Experience in Sports
I have been playing soccer recreationally for as long as I have a memory. My love for the sport has taken me to various major soccer world-class competitions as a spectator including:
- 2004 Copa Libertadores final, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- 2016 Copa America final , New Jersey, USA
- 2018 World Cup Quarter Finals, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
- 2019 Champion’s League, , Group Phase, Madrid Spain
- La Liga Barcelona & Real Madrid matches 2017-2019
Coaching Experience
- 3 Years High School Boys Soccer - Khartoum American School, Sudan.
- 7 Years High School Boys Soccer - Hangzhou International School, China.
Sporting Heroes
Leo Messi, Carlos Valderrama
Mrs. Jamie Sanchez
- Varsity Badminton Coach
BIO
Coaching Philosophy
Striving for our best, learning from each other, and working together. As a coach and teacher, that is what a team is to me.
Experience in Sports
I grew up around sports fanatics. My whole family played sports and we attended each other’s games to cheer and support one another. In the summer, I enjoyed playing badminton with my cousins in my grandparent’s backyard. I eagerly awaited to find out what team I was going to be on for softball in the late summer. It was my favorite sport to play and I miss the feeling of the bat cracking against the ball. When the season became colder, I played basketball for my school. Today, I truly enjoy hiking and biking.
Coaching Experience
- 1 Year High School Basketball - Khartoum American School
Sporting Heroes
My Brother and Mother
Mrs. Glenda Semple
- Varsity Girls Volleyball Head Coach
- Middle School Volleyball Coach
- Lower School Volleyball Coach
BIO
Coaching Philosophy
“Win with grace, lose with dignity” (unknown)
I often tell my players to give their best at all circumstances, winning or losing. Value skill achievements, commitment and friendship firstly and foremost. Players should always contribute positively to the team and expect nothing but being part of it. Volleyball is my passion and I truly believe the learning that happens on the court mimics life. Overcoming obstacles, learning how to win and lose, building relationships, perseverance, patience, and resilience can play a huge part in building character and getting to know oneself.
Experience in Sports
I grew up playing soccer and volleyball on the streets of Brasilia, Brazil. My first organized team sport was actually team handball in grade 5 until grade 8, and a couple of years of volleyball in High School. Coaching and playing friendly games became my focus during and after college. I have participated in mainly intramural sports in college and after I graduated, I played recreational soccer and volleyball against local club teams in Atlanta, GA.
Coaching Experience
I have been coaching volleyball and soccer for little over 20 years.
- EAB – Escola Americana de Brasilia, Brazil (1992-97)
- AIS – Atlanta International School, GA USA (1998-02)
- ISC – International School of Curitiba, Brazil (2002-05)
- AAS – Anglo American School of Moscow, Russia (2006-16)
- ABA – an IB World School, Muscat, Oman (2016-19)
- HIS – Hangzhou International School, China (2019 – present)
Coaching Certifications/Qualifications
- Volleyball coach’s clinic – Atlanta, GA
- ECIS PE – attendee (3 years) and presenter (1 year)
- American Swimming Coaches Association – Level 1 and 2 Accreditation
Sporting Heroes
Pele (“O Rei do Futebol”, Brazilian Football National Team), Giba (Brazilian Volleyball National Team)
Mr. Donal Sha
- HIS Dragons Swim Team Coach
BIO
Mr. Terry Strombeck
- Varsity Boys Soccer Assistant Coach
BIO
Experience in Sports
Growing in in Latin America, I played scholastic and club sports that are popular in that part of the world. The main sports were football (soccer) and basketball. After graduating from the American School of Tegucigalpa, Honduras I played collegiate soccer in the United States.
Following universities studies, I continued to play soccer while also coaching soccer and basketball at the club and high school level.
Coaching soccer brought a number of interesting experiences and rewards. Many of the high school teams I coached were regularly ranked in the Adidas USA Top-Twenty polls and in 2001 my high school team finished the season as the top-rated team in the United States. Additionally, I was happy to have the opportunity to coach many players who played at the university, professional and international level.
Coaching Experience
- 23 Years High School Boys / Girls Soccer
- 5 Years High School Boys / Girls Basketball
- 12 Years Soccer Coach at the club level (U15-16)
- 6 Years Soccer Coach at university summer soccer training camps
- 4 Years Soccer Coach for the US Olympic Development system
Coaching Certifications/Qualifications
- United States Soccer Federation (USSF) ‘C’ license
- Accreditation with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)
Ms. Vivian Wang
- HIS Dragons Swim Team Coach
BIO
Ms.Glynis Whitehorn
- Middle School Badminton Coach
BIO
Dr. Jen Widi
- Varsity Cross Country Assistant Coach
- Varsity Track and Field Assistant Coach
- Middle School Cross Country Coach
- Lower School Cross Country Coach
BIO
Mr. Chris Widi
- Varsity Boys Volleyball Assistant Coach
- Middle School Boys Volleyball Coach
- Varsity Track and Field Assistant Coach
- Middle School Track and Field Coach
BIO
Ms. Lucia Wu
- Varsity Table Tennis Assistant Coach
- Middle School Table Tennis Coach
BIO
Mr. David Young
- Varsity Boys Basketball Assistant Coach
- Middle School Boys Basketball Coach
- Lower School Basketball Coach
BIO
Coaching Philosophy
As a coach, I understand the responsibility, the opportunity and accountability I have to my team, my school and my parents. With that, I take on the function as a role model to our youth. Before the game is ever played, I believe the essential skills must be adequate to be successful and the basic rules must be understood. Respecting the game, respecting your opponent and respecting yourself are my vital guiding elements of coaching. My mentors in coaching are Jimmy Johnson, Sparky Anderson and Bobby Knight.
Experience in Sports
As a student and as an adult, I have coached and participated in basketball, baseball, wake surfing, water skiing, paddle boarding and surfing.
Coaching Experience
- 4 Years High School Boys Basketball
- 3 Years Middle School Boys Basketball
- 1 Year Elementary boys/girl Basketball
- 35 Years teaching boys/girls Surfing, Wake Surfing and Water Skiing
Coaching Certifications/Qualifications
- Australian Sports Commission: Community Coaching General Principles
Sporting Heroes
I have numerous sports heroes as I was introduced to sports at the age of four by grandfather, Amos Hayes, who is my first sports hero. Gladly, he spent countless hours with me, developing my skills, especially since the eye doctor at the time told me I would not be able to play sports. Here are my other sports heroes: Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Rod Carew, Julius Erving, Scottie Pippen, Pete Maravich, Ivan Lendl, Raphael Nadal, Sean Taylor, Ed Reed, Barry Sanders, Billy Sims, Mark Richards, Pat Mulhern, and Kelly Slater
Ms. Lily Zhou
- Varsity Table Tennis Head Coach
- Middle School Table Tennis Coach
BIO