Fencibles United have appointed Rhys Ruka as the head coach of their Lotto NRFL Men’s Championship side for next season.
Ruka (35) joins United after coaching spells at Manurewa and Manukau United, and after a long playing career with Northern League and National League clubs.
Ruka (Ngäpuhi) is currently the NZ Maori senior men’s team coach.
The appointment will free up Marty Rodwell to concentrate on his Director of Football role at the club.
In its announcement, the club said:
“With Rhys coming on board, it now allows Marty to focus 100% of his time in the DOF role.
“We would like to thank Marty for his hard work in the first team space over the last few years, especially around his support for our youth and giving them the exposure into the first team environment.”
Ruka moved into coaching five years ago, at Manukau United, and then joined Manurewa as head coach in 2021.
In 2022, he led Manurewa to promotion from the Lotto NRFL Men’s Championship into the Northern League.
After leaving Manurewa early in 2023, he played Masters Division football for Western Springs.
His playing career includes spells with Bay Olympic, Hamilton Wanderers, Waiheke United and Cook Islands’ club Tupapa Maraeenga.
Tell Friends of Football your club news
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 editor@friendsoffootballnz.com.
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
