Neil, who studied Sports Science at Loughborough, has over 18 years’ experience in the sport sector and has lived in New Zealand since 2007.
His most recent role was Training Venue Programme Manager at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, leading the upgrade of almost a dozen training venues for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Those training bases were used by teams including USA, Norway, Italy, and tournament winners Spain.
During his time in New Zealand, Neil has also spent time as Operations Manager for Tennis Northern Region, managed Auckland Council’s Sport & Recreation team and is a former President of Birkenhead United Football Club.
In his new role, Neil will use his experience of fundraising and project management and is keen to create industry placement pathways for Loughborough students overseas.
Excited by his new role, Neil said:
“During my time in New Zealand I have witnessed first-hand the massive growth in football participation. The club I play for has grown from 600 players to 1,500 in ten years, with 80% of that growth in 5-12 year olds, and this is not a unique story.
“In 2024/25, an Auckland team will enter the A-League, meaning there will be two professional clubs with both men’s and women’s teams, and finally a NZ-derby. The FIFA Women’s World Cup held last year surpassed all expectations and our rugby-mad country got right in behind it.
“The role of the New Zealand Football Foundation is to harness that growth, interest, energy and ultimately investment, to remove barriers that prevent people from playing at grassroots level. We invest in programmes, projects and events and are always looking for more donors and partners to join us on this exciting journey.
“We are in the process of setting up an industry placement pathway for Loughborough Sport Management students, so hope to have some younger alumni join us later in the year.”
The purpose of the New Zealand Football Foundation is to contribute to a better New Zealand by using football as a vehicle for equity and social change. The Trust was established with $4million from FIFA following the All Whites qualification for the 2010 FIFA Men’s World Cup.
Since 2011, The Foundation has donated approximately $2 million to grassroots football projects and through strategic investment has grown its invested fund to $6million. Its funding priorities are centred around women and girls, diversity and inclusion, referee development/sideline behaviour and club capability.