For former Scots students Chris Stenersen and Maddie Barnes, returning to the College as football coaches has been an opportunity to give back to a programme that helped shape their own sporting journeys. Both Collegians have followed very different pathways since leaving school, but their passion for football and connection to Scots has brought them back to the sidelines, where they are now helping the next generation of players thrive.

Chris, who graduated in 2022, returned to Scots in 2024 and now leads the Girls’ 1st XI. After leaving the College, he continued playing football with Miramar Rangers, where a connection with Scots Director of Football Martin Bueno ultimately opened the door to coaching opportunities at the College.

For Maddie, one of the first female students to attend Scots in the Senior School, football provided opportunities well beyond Wellington. After graduating, she earned the chance to study and play football in the United States before returning to New Zealand in 2025. Soon after arriving home, she was encouraged to get involved in coaching at Scots.

Both coaches have seen significant growth in the football programme since their student days.”The standards are a lot higher,” says Chris. “The environment, the way we train, and the level of competition have all improved. It’s drawing more players in and helping create better teams.” The pair believe initiatives such as the Tottenham Hotspur Football Programme have helped accelerate player development and increased participation across the school.

Their impact is already being felt. Maddie helped coach the Under 15 Girls Futsal team to a national title and has continued working with many of the same players on the football field. For her, success is about more than results. “I love the camaraderie in the team,” she says. “The girls are supportive, inclusive, and genuinely want to see each other succeed.”

Chris agrees that team culture is central to success. He credits the positive environment built within the Girls’ 1st XI as a key factor behind the team’s recent achievements, including a hard-fought cup victory.

As former students, both coaches feel they can relate closely to current players and understand the challenges they face.

Looking ahead, they are ambitious for the future of Scots football. From growing participation numbers to competing for top-level honours, both hope the programme continues its upward trajectory.

For Maddie and Chris, coming back to Scots has been more than a return to familiar grounds. It has been a chance to inspire, mentor, and help build the future of a football community that once nurtured them.