Football’s national body has added two more Life Members in recognition of their contributions to the sport over many years.
They are Northern Region Football president Bob Patterson and lawyer Simon Jefferson.
Main photo: Bob Patterson … coach, administrator, leader and now NZF Life Member.
Patterson was a football coach before moving into administration with the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship, the first FIFA tournament to be allocated to New Zealand.
He became NZ Football’s chief executive before moving into leadership roles, including Auckland Football Federation interim chair and chief executive, interim Central Football CEO and serving on NZF’s Executive Committee until 2022.
NRF chair Gina Mills said: “Bob has a huge passion for football and its people, along with the drive to make a difference. He is generous with his time and been a valued sounding board for the NRF Board and leadership in his time as our President. NZF life membership is richly deserved.”
“Bob is a true servant of the game who has made a hugely significant contribution to football locally and nationally,” NRF chief executive Laura Menzies said.
“We were proud to nominate Bob for this honour and see the unequivocal support from federations and members. We’re lucky to have Bob in the NRF team.”
Jefferson is an Auckland-based King’s Counsel who has chaired NZ Football’s appeals committee for many years.
The committee hears appeals against decisions from the disciplinary committee and the ethics committee.
In 2010, he chaired a review of NZ Football’s competition structure.
NZF Life Members
J. Arnold, A Edwards, C J Lawrie, T W McLean, R Pelosi ONZM, B J Smith QSM, G. Billing, A. Egan, T J Killalea, R. Wilson, A C Winkworth, I Vuksich, F van Hattum, A Jones, A Boniface QSM, L Coffman QSM, N Cotton, W de Bock, R de Raat, J Denley, G Fleet, D Gleave, F Hall, S Jefferson KC, N Jemmett, R McDonald, S Moore, R Patterson, J Reid, I Williamson, R Dawkins.
Meritorious Services to Football: Rod Pelosi ONZM, Barrie Truman.
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