New Jersey Institute of Technology Athletics

With 16 years playing experience and Coach of the Year honors in his native New Zealand, Oliver Harder took on his first United States college coaching assignment with the 2009 Highlanders.

He is a graduate of the New Zealand Institute of Technology with a bachelor of sport degree and his studies included a semester in the US at Virginia Tech in 2005. As a coach, he was Northland secondary schools Coach of the Year and was head coach of Lynfield High School at the age of 20.

As a player, he played in New Zealand’s Northern Premier League for two teams as their first-team goalkeeper. He also played for two teams in New Zealand’s highest league, the New Zealand Football Championship.

Since coming to New Jersey, he has worked with young players on travel teams at East Brunswick, South Brunswick, West Windsor, and Greater Flemington.