Gordon Tietjans

Motivational speaker Gordon Tietjens has led New Zealand’s dominating run in the world of rugby sevens throughout the 1990s and 2000s. In 1999 his efforts were recognised by being awarded the NZ Order of Merit in the New Years Honours List. In 2007 Gordon was awarded a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rugby.

He has been the sevens coach since 1994, winning four Commonwealth Games gold medals including rugby’s first in 1998, along with a string of wins in tournaments from South America to Dubai.

Gordon represented New Zealand in rugby sevens in 1983 and played 86 games for Bay of Plenty between 1981 and 1989.

Since 1994 he has been a staff coach for the New Zealand Rugby Football Union and selector/coach for the Bay of Plenty Rugby Football Union. In October 2000 he was named the NPC coach of the year.

The Sevens World Series began in 2000 and under Gordon’s coaching, New Zealand won the first six championships.

In May 2006 Gordon released his book Sevens Mastery.

Gordon was named the New Zealand Rugby Union Coach of the Year for 2010, recognised for guiding his team to a fourth consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal.

Gordon is a compelling and fascinating conference speaker and will motivate and inspire your team to achieve the most that they can.