NZ Soccer Press Statement

nzsoccer.co.nz

23rd JUNE 2004

Board Chairman

The Board of NZS today voted Chairman John Morris to the position for a further two year term. New Zealand Soccer is honoured to have such a reputable person with a strong background in the game and standing in the business and education communities. NZS looks forward to John Morris continued commitment and dedication to the game alongside an extremely capable Board of Directors.

International Programme

The Board has today approved the following programme of international activity. Specific detail will follow in many cases but the broad programme has been outlined and is in line with the long term strategy of success at international level for men, women and age group teams.

It is the intention of New Zealand Soccer to have the All Whites back on the playing field as soon as is practical in financially viable fixtures.

Tri-Series

A Tri-Series is under continued investigation with Australian and South Korea preferred participants. NZS is seeking assistance from Nike given all three countries are Nike linked.

The immediate focus beyond 2004 is the qualifying campaigns for both U17 and U20 men’s World Cup Qualifying Tournaments.

BALANCE OF 2004

Team

* 2004 Possible Senior Women’s National Team activity

* 2004 Possible U20 Friendly International – Chile

* 2004 Secondary Schools U19 Initiative

* 2004 U16 Friendly International – Australia

Development

* NATIONAL LEAGUE PLACEMENTS

* Player Profiling

* 2004 Senior Women Development Sessions

* 2004 Goalkeeping Development Sessions Male & Female

* 2004 U17 Development Sessions

2005

Team

* 2005 Possible Senior Women’s National Team activity

* 2005 Possible Senior Men’s National Team (if financially viable)

* 2005 Secondary Schools U19 Initiative

* 2005 Preparation & U17 World Qualifying Tournament

* 2005 Preparation & U20 World Qualifying Tournament

* 2005 U15 Development Pool

Development

* Player Profiling

* 2005 Senior Women Development Sessions

* 2005 U17 Development Sessions

* 2005 Goalkeeping Development Sessions Male & Female

2006

Team

* 2006 Possible Women’s Senior National Team activity

* 2006 Possible Senior Men’s National Team activity

* 2006 Secondary Schools U19 Initiative

* 2006 Preparation & U19 Women’s Qualifying Tournament

* 2006 U15 Development Pool

Development

* Player Profiling

* 2006 Senior Women Development Sessions

* 2006 U17 Development Sessions

* 2006 Goalkeeping Development Sessions Male & Female

* National Centre

All Whites Head Coach

The Board has today agreed to the parameters of a review of the position of All Whites Head Coach. The role is to be a fulltime one and will include responsibility for the Men’s Olympic (U23) Team.

Scouting

There will be an increased focus on an effective scouting network and system to benefit all international team selections. That scouting network will be formulated in the context of the review of the Head Coach position to ensure that any player of New Zealand origin, of any age, regardless of gender and playing anywhere in the world is identified and profiled.

A full job description will be formulated in the next two weeks and the role advertised extensively before an appointment is made.

Ryan Nelsen

The Board has today discussed recent comments made by All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen with regards the recent Nations Cup campaign and in particular the role of the management team.

The Board of New Zealand Soccer expressed its disappointment with the content of those comments and the manner in which they were made to the media without prior discussion with New Zealand Soccer.

Further to this, the Board supported the earlier request that a meeting of the Board Chairman, NZS CEO and Ryan Nelsen to discuss the matter in more detail. That request has already been made to Nelsen.

Football Kingz

The Board of NZS today agreed upon and signed a Memorandum of Understanding between themselves and the Football Kingz. That document will remain confidential until after further discussion but outlines the future direction of the Football Kingz in the context of a formal relationship with New Zealand Soccer.

New Zealand Soccer and the Football Kingz are also in possession of the full criteria document for entry to the Australian NSL and continue to work towards a strong entry to the new competition in 2005.

New National League

The new competition is on track for an October 16th kick off. All 8 Franchises have appointed key personnel from management to board to coaching roles. Player recruitment also is well underway in many areas.

The position of National League Commissioner was recently advertised and a recruitment process undertaken. New Zealand Soccer is pleased today to confirm the appointment of Mr. Glyn Taylor to the role of National League Commissioner. Mr. Taylor will commence on June 28th.

Sponsorship discussions have concluded with various potential partners, including naming rights partners with announcements expected in the short term.

Media partners, team strips, league draw, referees panel and other information will be released at the Competition Launch in early September.

Ole Madrids has filed action in the High Court and East Auckland has had the decision of the NZS Appeals Committee communicated to them. Both cases are subject to insurance claims by New Zealand Soccer and are subsequently being handled directly by the insurer.

Women’s Action Group

New Zealand Soccer has been advised by the Human Rights Commission that a complaint has been laid by a women’s action group. As of today New Zealand Soccer is still awaiting written documentation pertaining to that complaint and will take legal advice as to our obligations.

New Zealand Soccer strongly rejects any claims of discrimination based on gender and can point to many initiatives introduced in the past 2 years impacting directly on the development of women’s football.

* Small Whites grass roots programme, featuring NZ Women’s International Maia Jackman in an ambassadorial role.

* International Player Development Programme

* National / Regional Academies

* Coaching and Education Scheme, targeting women in key areas such as Elite Player Elite Coach

* National Women’s League (Federation based)

* American University placement – a formal policy designed to assist NZ players to further their education and playing careers. Hayley Moorwood and Priscilla Duncan are two young players already to benefit with scholarships to American Colleges’.

* International Experience – in line with youth development age group teams will tour internationally in order for players to gain experience and be better prepared for FIFA competitions at a later age. 2003 saw an U16 Girls team tour Australia.

* National Team Development – training sessions every Monday night for northern based national team players and on the first Monday of each month for all NZ based national squad players and coaching staff.

Wynton Rufer

The Board has today approved an ambassadorial role for Wynton Rufer. This role will be offered to Wynton immediately and will complement existing NZS Technical Department policy in areas such as:

* International match contacts

* Promotion of NZS at age group level tournaments

* Placing of young players for international experience

* Annual planning discussion