A champion of South Auckland football receives Life Membership of NRF

A football administrator who has spent more than 50 years helping South Auckland clubs to grow has become a Life Member of Northern Region Football.

Noel Robinson (83) received the honour at NRF’s Annual General Meeting in June.

Main photo: Noel Robinson … decades of service to the game of football.

In their citation, NRF said:

“Noel Robinson has been a part of the football landscape for decades, from local clubs, administration, management, national and throughout the northern region football district.

“Noel has given a huge amount of hours and energy.

“There would be very few people who have served the game for as long as Noel, and he has had a huge influence on South Auckland through his involvement with Papatoetoe AFC, where he served as President from 1977 until 1986 and was made a Life Member in 1983.

“His late wife, Jean, also spent many, many years with Papatoetoe AFC.

“Noel has been Patron of Papatoetoe United FC since its formation, as well as being involved with the former Franklin & Districts FGA (Later Counties Manukau Soccer Association). He also served for many years with clubs in Mangere and Manukau.

“He’s also served at national and international level as a member of the Northern Provincial Council, which ran the Northern League through the 1980s, and as a board member of New Zealand Soccer (1986 – 1990) before being its CEO (1990 – 1995), and again as a board member during the late 1990s.

“He was also a key figure in the establishment of the Football Kingz entry into the Australian Soccer League in 1999.”

Robinson: ‘It’s been all about developing the game’

Receiving the Life Membership, Robinson said:

“I really value this honour.

“They don’t come to everyone, and hopefully, it says you’ve done something significant for the sport.

“Nothing I’ve done has been for personal benefit; it’s been all about developing the game, especially here in South Auckland. That’s where I like to be; among the grassroots, that’s where it’s happening.”

NRF’s citation said:

“Noel has missed very few committee meetings over the years. He believes strongly in leadership, but one can still find him volunteering as an advisor to the Manukau United board.

“He helps set up and prepare at the Centre Park grounds where he has been president of the Mangere Centre Park Sports Association for decades and helps other sports clubs in the area.

“Noel has been instrumental in the development of South Auckland football’s newest club entity and continues to be a driving force for sport in the region.

“He has given countless hours of support, guidance, hard work and inspiration.”

Robinson was nominated by Maia McGregor and Iliyas Daud, from Manukau United.

Northern Region Football Life Members

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