Gilbert Enoka
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Gilbert Enoka is a New Zealand mental performance coach who is well known for his work with the All Blacks, the Black Caps, Silver Ferns, Canterbury Crusaders, and Chelsea Football Club.[1][2]
Enoka was the youngest of six boys.[3] He spent his childhood years in an orphanage.[4][5] He became a PE teacher and represented New Zealand in volleyball on the side.[6]
Enoka went to the University of Canterbury, there he completed a physical education and geography degrees, and gained first class honours in psychology.[7] He played senior rugby as a lock or flanker for University B and was a Canterbury under-20 representative.[8]
Career
Enoka taught at Hillmorton High School.[9] While there, he had a chance meeting with then All Black Wayne Smith when working as a teacher.When Smith moved into coaching he took Enoka with him. While at the All Blacks they became the first team to win consecutive Rugby World Cups.[10] After working with the All Blacks for over 300 matches, Enoka moved into cricket with the England cricket team.[11]
Following this he worked with other sports such as football,[12][13] basketball, rugby league[14] and netball.[15]
In 2016, Enoka was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to sport and psychology.[16]
In February 2023, Enoka was brought on as a short-term consultant with Chelsea.[17]
In the 2024 State of Origin series, Enoka was brought on by NSW coach Michael Maguire to consult the team. They came back from a 1-0 deficit to win the decisive game at Suncorp Stadium.[18]
