George Edwards Honoured with the Arthur Eustace Coaching Award as He Retires from Coaching

Some names in New Zealand athletics echo far beyond the track. George Edwards is one of them. After over three decades of unwavering dedication, the Christchurch coach has stepped away from day-to-day coaching—but not without leaving an extraordinary legacy. To recognise his outstanding contribution to coaching, George was presented with the Arthur Eustace Coaching Award at the 2025 Jennian Homes NZ Track and Field Championships in Dunedin. Athletics New Zealand CEO Cam Mitchell and Annette Bennett-Eustace presented the award on Saturday.

George’s journey in the sport began as many do—as a parent on the sidelines. But what followed was a lifetime of service. From club volunteer to administrator, from development coach to guiding athletes at the highest international level, George’s fingerprints are all over Canterbury athletics. He was instrumental in forming the Port Hills Athletics Club, serving as its first president and continuing as club captain, committee member, and coach for many years. He even marked the club’s grass track weekly, long after many would have put their feet up.

His impact wasn’t just felt at the club level. George served on the Athletics Canterbury Executive, Track and Field Committee, and Coaching Committee, running development squads and coaching clinics to help shape the next generation of athletes and coaches.

While George has coached countless athletes to national titles, his most high-profile success has been his work with Will Stedman. When Stedman, a young schoolboy with cerebral palsy took up athletics in 2014, George admitted he knew little about coaching para-athletes. But he threw himself into learning, adapting his coaching methods, and treating Will as just another athlete with the same potential for greatness as anyone else.

That partnership has been nothing short of remarkable. Under George’s guidance, Stedman won five Paralympic medals, including bronze at Rio 2016, double silver in Tokyo 2021, and gold at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe.

George embodies everything great about coaching. His hard work, commitment, and passion have left an undeniable mark on New Zealand athletics. He doesn’t just develop athletes—he helps them become better people. His coaching philosophy has always been about respect, honesty, and empowering athletes to take responsibility for their own performances.

His impact has also extended to developing coaches. Knowing that his time as a frontline coach was ending, George planned a seamless transition for Stedman, bringing James Sandilands into the coaching setup ahead of the 2024 Paris Paralympics to ensure continuity for Will’s future. Now, instead of stepping away wholly, George will continue mentoring emerging coaches, passing on his knowledge to the next generation.

The Arthur Eustace Coaching Award is presented annually to a coach who reflects Arthur Eustace’s core values: athlete-focused, learning-driven, and committed to sharing knowledge for the betterment of the sport. George embodies all of these values.

His coaching career spans over 30 years, and he has coached multiple national champions, Oceania titleholders, and international representatives. But what sets him apart is his selflessness; his willingness to always put the athlete first, to learn, adapt, and improve, no matter how much experience he already had.

As George steps back from frontline coaching, his influence will continue to be felt for years. Whether through the athletes he has coached, the coaches he has mentored, or the club and regional structures he has helped shape—his legacy is secure.

Athletics New Zealand congratulates George Edwards on receiving the Arthur Eustace Coaching Award and thanks him for his immense contribution to our sport. While he may be retiring from coaching, we know he will never be far from the track.