Aligning the development plans of the national body and its seven member federations, the Whole of Football Plan sets out a 10-year vision and structure for the game that aims to deliver high-quality experiences for all participants and at all levels of the game.
A new legion of Football Development Officers (FDOs) from Southland to Northland and from the West Coast to Whakatane will lead the implementation of the plan, beginning with the roll out of the Junior Framework where the aim is to get kids falling, and staying, in love with football.
Twenty-six FDOs are already in place, with a few part-time roles for smaller communities yet to be filled, overseen by a Football Development Manager in each of New Zealand’s seven federations.
New Zealand Football’s director of football development John Herdman is enthusiatic about the quality of personnel on board.
“The people are key to the plan,” Herdman said shortly after opening the workshop.
“The plan is just words on a piece of paper so it’s ultimately down to the people who will bring it alive. Certainly, looking at the excitement in the room today, it was one of those moments when you think, it’s alive – this plan is coming to life.
“You look at the quality of people in the room from those with professional playing experience or people who have worked in top national associations around the world to those that have spent all their years working in the grassroots of football in New Zealand. It’s such a cool blend of experience, passion and energy that will be able to take the game to a new level.”
Herdman believes the game is well positioned to receive the roll out of the new plan in 2011.
“I think there will be anticipation in clubs. The All Whites were key to that, as their performance and the goodwill it created made sure the plan can get off on a good footing. There’s just a really good feel about the game at the moment.
“There will be some people who won’t like the plan, some people who find it difficult to implement in the initial stages but I’m sure when everybody looks at what it’s aiming to achieve we can all buy into that.”
Story courtesy of NZ Football.
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