Auckland United have announced Ben Bate will be their new director of football.
Bate (38) has been the head coach of United’s women’s team since moving from Northern Rovers at the end of 2022, leading his new club to titles in the women’s National League and the OFC Women’s Champions League.
He takes over as director of football from Brad Bicknell (26) who left the role in January to take up a position with the Wellington Phoenix. He’s the head of player pathways and coach of the U-18 men’s team.
READ MORE: Auckland United’s Brad Bicknell to take role with Wellington Phoenix >>>>
Bicknell was with Auckland United and its foundation club Three Kings United for 20 years as a player, coach and in leadership roles.
He became director of football for the 2023 season after previously being the club’s junior development manager and its community development officer.
About Ben Bate
Bate moved to New Zealand from the United Kingdom in 2015 after working for the Wales Football Association.
His first New Zealand club was North Shore United. From there, he joined Forrest Hill Milford, coaching their women’s reserves.
After FHM’s merger with Glenfield Rovers, Bate led the new Northern Rovers women’s team to the Lotto NRFL Women’s Premiership title, and to the Kate Sheppard final in 2022.
READ MORE: Special feature: Meet Ben Bate, the rising coach in women’s club football >>>>
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