Latest news from Friends of Football
Long-time volunteer Clare Elson has been recognised for her contributions to Papakura City FC with a Life Membership. The club granted her the honour at their Annual General Meeting this summer, adding her to a list of those who have … Read More
Coach Ben Fletcher has returned to Ellerslie AFC in a bid to replicate the type of success he achieved with the club’s youth team four years ago. Fletcher (32) heads up the club’s coaching staff in 2022 after his dual … Read More
Hamilton Wanderers are heading to their first Kate Sheppard Cup final after beating Coastal Spirits SASFC in Christchurch. Early goals from Maddi Ollington and Anna Fullerton created the foundation for the semi-final victory at English Park, giving the visitors from … Read More
Eastern Suburbs defender Cory Vickers and his partner Brittany Adams have raised more than $3,600 to promote mental health through hiking the length of New Zealand’s South Island. Vickers (29), a full-time welfare officer with the Auckland club, says the … Read More
New Zealand may be the powerhouse of 11-a-side football in the Oceania region but it lags behind other island nations when it comes to beach soccer. And with 15,000kms of mainly-beach coastline, it might be time to ask whether we … Read More
Rising coach Munith Naidu will head up an ambitious Beachlands Maraetai in this year’s Lotto NRFL second division after joining the Auckland club for the 2022 season. Naidu has been appointed BMFC’s full-time Director of Football and as the club’s … Read More
Olywhites defender George Stanger (21) has joined Scottish League One club Dumbarton on loan for the rest of the season. Dumbarton become the sixth Scottish club to add the New Zealand U-20 and U-23 international to their squads in a … Read More
As the Football Ferns prepare to play Iceland in the opening game of the SheBelieves Cup, head coach Jitka Klimková has promised an approach based on winning games, rather than playing ‘not to lose’. “It’s changing the mindset and making … Read More
Experienced goalkeeper Danyon Drake has quit his playing career at 28 to become part of a new-look coaching staff at Auckland club Metro FC. Drake (main photo) will become co-head coach, working with mentor and co-head coach Nathan Christie who … Read More
The semi-final of the Kate Sheppard Cup between Eastern Suburbs and Wellington United has been postponed due to a COVID-19 case in the Auckland club’s camp. A decision on the rescheduling of the match — due to take place at … Read More
League of Ireland clubs have signed two more New Zealanders with international pedigrees. Sligo Rovers have signed All White striker Max Mata (21) only days after clinching a deal with his international teammate, defender Nando Pijnaker. Rival club Sherbourne have … Read More
Former All Whites striker Kris Bright has been appointed to the newly-created Sporting Director role, working with Auckland City FC and Metro FC. He’ll report to the boards of both clubs and has been given responsibility for overseeing “an aligned … Read More
Our partners at Hungerball are offering 35 schools in South Auckland the chance to enjoy a full day of fun activities making use of the inflatable game arena. The initiative is aimed at encouraging children to get back into school … Read More
Leaders at Auckland City FC and Mt Albert Ponsonby have allayed misconceptions about their clubs’ ongoing relationship, saying it’s not an amalgamation. The clubs have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that provides junior and youth players from MAP access … Read More
Auckland United have announced strategic partnerships with football clubs in Wellington and Christchurch starting in the 2022 season. Their partners in the capital will be Wellington United and in Canterbury, they’ll team with Coastal Spirt SASFC, which is an alliance … Read More
North Shore United’s dream of setting an all-time record for Chatham Cup final appearances is over – for this year, at least. The country’s oldest football club have decided not to travel to Wellington for their cup semi-final against Miramar … Read More
Lotto NRFL second division champions Onehunga Mangere United will refresh their coaching line-up this season after the departure of last year’s head coach Brian Murphy. Murphy has crossed the Tasman to become head coach at Magpies Crusaders United in Mackay, … Read More
Television’s Seven Sharp programme has featured the upsurge in interest in walking football, a version of the ‘beautiful game’ that caters for those whose bodies require a gentler approach to the sport. An enthusiastic promoter of walking football is former … Read More