Northern Rovers seek new women’s head coach after Ben Bate decides to move on

Northern Rovers are recruiting a new Head of Women’s and Girls Football coach after announcing their women’s head coach Ben Bate is leaving the club.

Rovers are the current Lotto NRFL Women’s Premier League champions and were runners-up in the Kate Sheppard Cup this season.

Rovers are also pushing for a place in the Grand Final of this year’s Women’s National League. Bate (37) will leave Rovers after the completion of the national league competition next month.

Announcing Bate’s departure, the club said: “Ben is working through some exciting personal opportunities and Northern Rovers wish Ben every success in 2023 and beyond.

“Over the course of 2022, Ben’s commitment and dedication to our Premier Women’s team has been exceptional. Our success over the course of this season is a credit to Ben and his involvement.”

Ben Bate … leaves Rovers at the end of the National League season. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.

The club said former Football Fern and experienced coach Jill Gilmore would guide its U-16’s Talent Development Programme in 2023.

Jill’s husband Dene will take the Rovers U-14 programme.

“Both Dene and Jill are highly qualified and experienced coaches who will provide great guidance and development to our aspiring youth girl’s players. The club have also appointed a fully qualified C Licence coach overseeing our junior girls U-9—U-12 programme for 2023.”

Rovers have already begun their search to replace Bate, describing it as “undoubtedly one of the marquee women’s club coaching roles in the country”.

Criteria and how to apply

Essential requirements:

  • Minimum NZF B Licence (or overseas equivalent). The club is happy to help a candidate obtain this for those who already have a C Licence.
  • Ability to work within a team and is a self-motivator.
  • Well-organised and a good communicator

For a full copy of the Job description or to apply for the role contact [email protected] or ring Dean Dodds on 027 968 6689.

Coaching changes

Northern and WaiBOP clubs have been busy with their coaching appointments for 2023.

Click on the following links for our coverage of announcements made so far:

NORTH SHORE UNITED | METRO FC | TE ATATU | MATAMATA SWIFTS | BAY OLYMPIC | CLAUDELANDS ROVERS | TE AWAMUTU | WESTERN SPRINGS | MT ALBERT PONSONBY | MANUKAU UNITED | WAITEMATA | CAMBRIDGE | MANUREWA | ONEHUNGA MANGERE UTD | HAMILTON WANDERERS | HIBISCUS COAST | NORTHERN ROVERS | PAPAMOA |

Tell Friends of Football your club news

If you belong to a club in the northern or WaiBOP regions, please let us know what’s happening at your club.

Either send us your media releases or send us a link to your announcement/story on your website.

If we think it’ll interest football fans and our members, we’ll do our best to share your news.

Email us at [email protected] – thanks.

Use our logo

Please add our logo to your club’s website and invite your members and supporters to check us out.

More football stories