The Auckland Dragon Boat Association (ADBA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Bill Lomas as the 2026 Head Coach for the Auckland Representative Crew. 

  With approximately 17 years of experience in dragon boating, Bill has captained and coached some of Auckland’s and New Zealand’s top crews. His extensive experience at the highest levels of the sport, combined with his passion for developing paddlers, makes him ideally placed to lead the region’s representative programme. 

“I’ve been fortunate to be part of some incredible crews and to coach a variety of teams around Auckland,” says   Bill. “Now I’m excited to help our top paddlers take the next step and reach their full potential.” 

  The Auckland Representative Crew is the region’s high-performance dragon boating team, made up of standout paddlers from clubs across Auckland. They compete in national championships, representing the region with pride and showcasing the strength, skill, and teamwork of Auckland’s dragon boating community. 

Bill brings a coaching philosophy centred on approachability, clear communication, and accountability, ensuring every paddler has the tools and guidance to improve. He is known for breaking down complex techniques so that all athletes can understand and apply them, while fostering a supportive and collaborative team culture. 

“I’m most looking forward to helping our representative crew grow together, refine their skills, and enjoy the journey,” Bill adds. “We’ll be preparing Nationals and pushing personal limits in training, it’s all about teamwork and development.” 

ADBA looks forward to seeing Bill lead the Auckland Representative Crew in the upcoming season and is confident his leadership will inspire paddlers to achieve new heights on and off the water. 

Applications for athletes wishing to join the Auckland Representative Crew will open soon. Keep an eye on the ADBA website and social media for details on how to apply. 

About ADBA 
The Auckland Dragon Boat Association promotes and develops dragon boating across Auckland. The association supports clubs, coaches, and paddlers of all levels, from recreational enthusiasts to representative athletes competing regionally, nationally and internationally.