In 2022, I was elected as Executive Chair and have led the Club through what has been a significant period of change and reset.
My association with Western Springs AFC goes back 20 years as a parent, and in recent years as a player in the over-45s Royal team. Both my son Oscar and daughter Margot started as juniors and progressed to play in Premier teams. Oscar went on to play College football in the US and after a pro- season in North Carolina has returned to the Club. Margot is studying in Wellington and playing for the Springs’ sister club Waterside Karori in the W-League and Women & National League.
I ran a consulting business for over 20 years specialising in ICT strategic planning and solution delivery.
Currently I lead a programme transforming laboratory operations in the northern region.
I have been playing football and watching football from a very early age. I joined WSAFC in the early 2000’s as a player in the Steamboats, I started coaching in 2008 and have coached both my daughters at WSAFC. I had the privilege of coaching the Women’s Development Team in 2023 and the U19 Girls in the Napier Tournament.
I have attended 3 FA Cup Finals, 1 Champions League Final, 1 European Championships, 1 Women’s World Cup and hundreds of Premier League games mainly at Anfield.
I joined the Senior Committee in 2020 and I am a strong advocate for women and girls football.
I sometimes wear my heart on my sleeve, and I am not backwards in coming forwards.
Outside of WSAFC I find time to be the CFO at a privately owned Property Management and
Development Company, having previously been a partner in a global professional services firm.
Born in North London with two older brothers, football was our common language. I was a home and away season ticket holder for my beloved Arsenal before moving to NZ over 20 years ago.
We joined WSAFC in 2010 when our eldest started playing and I joined the Junior Committee in 2017. Over many years, I have enjoyed helping the club develop and grow in a wide variety of ways, from organising Open Days, tournaments, team photo evenings, to facilitating fundraisers and delivering Prize Giving events. For the past 5 years I have been Tournament Director for the National U17s Tournament.
I have managed mixed teams, as my three children have progressed through junior and youth football. Our eldest is now at Uni, but the other two are still playing for WSAFC.
I am committed to further developing both our community teams and players, and those who want to stretch themselves at the elite level.
When I am not at our club, I work in Football Education & High Performance at Oceania Football Confederation.
I have been involved with Springs since our youngest son Henry started playing in the 5th Grade. It started out as a parent coach, which I am still continuing with. I then joined the Junior Committee, before stepping into the Treasurer role on the Executive Committee.
I like to think that I am an advocate for “all” and I like to help ensure that there are the same great opportunities available to all playing members of our club and community.
My family is my number one priority. Outside of that and my Springs Treasurer role, I have had a long and varied career in finance, where I currently hold an executive management role, leading the finance function for a well known NZ beverage business.
I’ve been involved with Western Springs AFC and football throughout my life. At different points, I’ve taken on roles as a player, coach and manager for both junior & senior teams. Over the years I’ve actively participated in various committees and assumed diverse club positions including Junior Club Chairperson, Grade Coordinator, Executive Committee Secretary, and general dogs body! I’ve also contributed to the wider football community by serving on the Auckland Football Grading Committee and representing the club at regional football meetings. Additionally, I’ve been the tournament director for Football Federation national Rep Tournaments and have successfully organised numerous in-house leagues.
The club holds a special place in my heart as all of my children have progressed through it, playing on both community and elite teams, from juniors to seniors. My family has a proud history with the club, evident in the fact that both my Dad and I are life members.
I bring to the executive multiple perspectives. In my work life, I am an RTLB (a specialist teacher in learning & behaviour) with a strong focus on diversity & inclusion and effective systems implementation. I have gained substantial governance experience as a Board Chair of a Primary School and Chairperson of a National Charity.
I am very passionate about WSAFC, and am keen to ensure the hard work that has been started over the last several years is continued and the club provides all its members with a fabulous football experience.