Birnie, who served as an assistant coach for the New Zealand side at the 2014 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Costa Rica, takes control of the U-20 Women’s team for the preparation cycle towards the age-group showcase event in Papua New Guinea in October 2016.
New Zealand Football High Performance Director Fred de Jong said Birnie’s appointment demonstrates the pathway in place for the country’s top talent– players and coaches alike.
“We are developing a structure which rewards our best performing people and Leon’s appointment for the U-20 role is a direct reflection of that,” de Jong said.
“His experience with this age-group at international level at the U-17 World Cup combined with what he has done domestically within our programme in recent years made him the ideal fit for this position.”
The 33-year-old Birnie has been a long-time coach in New Zealand’s National Talent Centre girls programme while he also served as an assistant coach for Hawke’s Bay United in the 2014-15 ASB Premiership competition.
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