Increased commitments in his day job as BP’s General Manager of Retail and Assets will also see van Hattum leave the NZF board on which he has served as an elected member since 2006.
He feels the time is right to step aside.
“After nearly 14 years in football administration starting as the inaugural chair of Capital Football in 2000 it is time for someone else to take the chair at NZF,” said van Hattum.
“I feel I’ve done my bit, and with a new CEO, a new World Cup cycle for the All Whites about to begin and the game in sound financial health it’s a perfect time to inject some new blood.”
During his tenure as Chair, New Zealand Football ended a period of living in the red, posting surpluses after coming perilously close to insolvency in 2007. Another surplus is expected when the 2013 results are announced in May.
Investment and sustainability were key themes of van Hattum’s reign; with the sport setting aside large slices of FIFA prize money to ensure the game was on firmer footing.
A new development blueprint for football – the award-winning Whole of Football Plan – was established in 2010, as was an independent $4m endowment fund for grassroots projects – the New Zealand Football Foundation. An international teams activity fund set aside money for higher levels of activity in years without FIFA prize money.
As well as the prudent financial approach van Hattum is also proud of the growth he’s witnessed during his tenure.
“The sport is more aligned than it’s ever been and it’s pleasing to see our federations developing and performing, while we have a robust and innovative strategic plan setting a unified direction.
“I am tremendously proud of the game’s progress especially our industry-leading Whole of Football Plan, the rise of the Football Ferns and overall growth in the women’s game and the way futsal is thriving after coming into the NZF family.
“All supported by a financial position that will allow planning and delivery with certainty.
“Above all, I’m most proud that football is again a credible and exciting sport on the New Zealand landscape worthy of public debate and emotion.”
The former All White goalkeeper will officially resign at the NZF board meeting in February, at which the board will elect a new chair. Van Hattum will continue to serve on the board until the sport’s annual congress in May, when a replacement will be elected to take over the rest of his term.
Making a clean break from football governance for the time being at least, van Hattum also plans to transition out of roles on the Local Organising Committee for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, Oceania Football Confederation’s Executive Committee and as Trustee for the New Zealand Football Foundation.
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz

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