Football Ferns, Fresh from the Great News of Increased High Performance Funding, Looking Around the Crowd at the Memorial Have Begun Their Journey to Another World

Autumn ‘13

NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL’S NEWSLETTER FOR GIRLS & WOMEN

IN THIS ISSUE • An ambitious vision • Roy Cox tribute • Coaching course update • The Road to Rio • Ferns abroad • Futsal trailblazers • You and your WDO • ASB Women’s League Review • Jackman’s New Years Honour • ASB WKO Cup preview • In the middle: Referee update Welcome to the Beautiful Game

Welcome to the fourth edition of The held at his beloved Uni-Mt Wellington club, Cup and Olympic Games with an impressive Beautiful Game and the first of 2013. the people who spoke are some of the Cyprus Cup campaign and this edition of The legends of the sport and testimony to Roy’s Beautiful Game sees us catch up with one of Headlining this issue is the unveiling of an passion, dedication and lasting impact. the many W-League Ferns, Annalie Longo; ambitious eight year vision for women’s elite look at the Ferns’ plans for on the Road to football to be played, officiated, coached and Roy will be missed. Canada and Rio; and check in with New managed by females. Zealand’s first all female referee trio as they The recognition of Maia Jackman with take their first steps along the same road. As we stride confidently towards a new a MNZM in the New Year’s Honours is era of women’s football it’s poignant to thoroughly deserved. I played alongside We also review the ASB Women’s League and acknowledge two pioneers of our game. Maia at the 2007 World Cup and witnessed look ahead to the 20th running of the ASB her absolute commitment to the team and Women’s Knockout Cup, update you on the Firstly, the passing of Roy Cox was widely felt the country first hand. female specific coaching programme and by all involved in the game and the football talk to the coach of Mainland’s trailblazing community extends our love and sympathy She was also the face of women’s football futsal team. to Barbara, Michele and Tara. for as long as I can remember, and while not one for taking the limelight, she happily did, Regards, The Cox family’s influence on growing and still does, what is good for the game. Emma Humphries women’s football can never be understated Congratulations Maia. Women’s Football Development Manager and those of us working hard in the game in New Zealand Football the moment are part of that legacy. The Football Ferns, fresh from the great news of increased high performance funding, Looking around the crowd at the memorial have begun their journey to another World

PO Box 301-043, Albany, Auckland, New Zealand • Phone: +649 414-0175 • Fax: +649 414-0176 • www.nzfootball.co.nz NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL’S NEWSLETTER FOR GIRLS & WOMEN Autumn ‘13 An Ambitious Vision New Zealand Football has revealed an ambitious vision for women’s elite football over the next eight years.

“We’re aiming for women’s elite football to be played, officiated, coached and managed by females by 2021,” said New Zealand Football chairman Frank van Hattum.

“By incorporating it into the New Zealand Football vision and objectives it gives firm direction, focus, support and confidence for long term planning and development.

“It’s ambitious, but achievable as we strive to develop New Zealand into a credible and competitive top-10 women’s football nation,” van Hattum said. New Zealand Football now has a team of to comment on the significance of the new The national body has already implemented a Women’s Development Officers in all seven philosophy. series of projects aimed at increasing the number federations, and in the past six months the first “This is a sign of where the game is at. When I of females involved in the sport in recent years all-female Senior Level 1 and Senior Level 2 did my coaching badges back in the early 2000s, and have started to reap the rewards of these coaching courses have been delivered. Similarly, I was the only female there. The women’s game initiatives. New Zealand can now field a FIFA listed all- women’s referee trio at international level. has changed massively over the time I’ve been Girl’s and Women’s Week was launched in 2010 involved. It’s taking that next step and that’s with a broader goal of introducing females of all To achieve the objective New Zealand Football fantastic,” Henderson said. ages to the sport. The numbers have grown to will actively pursue former players to stay The realisation of the vision will be gradual; over 8,000 participants in girls-only festivals and involved in the game and introduce a talent beginning with the ASB Women’s League and events in 2012. acceleration programme for coaches to increase their experiences with international players and eventually leading into the Young Football Ferns “We’ve identified strategies on the way to teams. (U-17) and Junior Football Ferns (U-20) cycles achieving this goal and key milestones to and culminating with the Football Ferns in the measure progress, including the implementation Wendi Henderson, who won 64 caps for the 2021 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign. of women-only, women-specific courses for Football Ferns over a 21 year international “It’s an ambitious objective but one New coaching and refereeing,” said van Hattum. career, is one such former player and well placed Zealand Football is committed to achieving,” van Hattum said. Roy Cox - Father of Women’s Football Passes

spent three years at Queens Park Rangers Among Roy’s many achievements in women’s before knee cartilage problems put paid to his football was the implementation of a National professional footballing aspirations. In 1970, Tournament which ran from 1976-2001, the Roy, along with wife Barbara and daughters forerunner to the ASB Women’s League Michele and Tara, established themselves in New Zealand and would become one of the Roy’s greatest satisfaction in the game derived most influential families in women’s football in from wife Barbara and daughters Michele and this country. Roy established the New Zealand Tara, all of whom played for New Zealand at Women’s Football Association and served as international level. the new association’s first President. Cox also played a significant role in fund-raising During Roy’s tenure New Zealand achieved for the All Whites’ “Road to Spain” 1982 FIFA arguably its greatest ever result a 1-0 win over World Cup campaign. a USA side that featured Mia Hamm, Michelle Akers and Kristine Lilly, at the Women’s World Roy Cox passed away surrounded by his Invitational Tournament in 1987, the predecessor immediate family aged 76. to today’s FIFA Women’s World Cup. Throughout At a celebration of Roy’s life at the University-Mt. his life, Roy was very well-known for his high Wellington clubrooms at Bill McKinlay Park a degree of professionalism and charisma. He was who’s who of football in New Zealand gathered The New Zealand football community is also instrumental in the development of some of to pay tribute. NZF staff, board members and mourning the loss of Roy Cox, the man widely New Zealand’s top female footballers, including former internationals (both male and female) regarded as the founding father of women’s Donna Baker, Debbie Pullen, Wendy Sharpe, all attended. Kevin Fallon, John Adshead, Allan football in New Zealand, who passed away on Leslie King, Maureen Jacobson, Monique Van de Jones all spoke as did Roy’s daughter Michele Thursday 17 January 2013 after a struggle with Elzen, Debbie Leonidas and Alison Grant, who who now helps FIFA spread the women’s cancer. scored the winner versus USA. He established football gospel around the world. the Northern Women’s Football Association, Born on 29th February in Wormword Scrubs, later to become the Auckland Women’s Football London, he played for Brentford juniors, then Association.

“I would definitely recommend the course to other women looking to improve their coaching skills whether they are already a coach or wanting to become one.”

Humphries says she is already targeting more female-only courses in 2013 across all seven federations, while looking at other structures to support female coaches and help them learn and develop from other coaches. For coaching courses in your area contact your local Women’s Development Officer or Football Development Officer.

Northern Football: Angela Lee- Hussien [email protected] New Zealand Football’s first senior “We know the demand is out there and I hope more and more females see that there is a level coaching course attended viable pathway for them within the game,” said Humphries. exclusively by, and tailored Auckland Football: Anglea Wallbank specifically to, females, culminated “We are building a female football culture [email protected] in Auckland at the end of January. around the game in New Zealand and the success of coaching courses like this one shows Building on last October’s historic start to female that if we get the environment right, we can tailored coaching in New Zealand, the second make great strides into growing a base of female WBOP Football: Zoe toombs phase of the Senior Level 2 coaching course was coaches around the country.” [email protected] held at North Harbour Stadium, with candidates assessed over two days applying the knowledge The Women’s coaching strategy has received a learnt in phase one and developing knowledge boost from one of football’s biggest supporters in their own coaching environments. with Persil coming on board to back the push. Central Football: Sandra Allison [email protected] Once again the course participants came from Humphries says females-coaching-females is all over the North Island to attend the weekend a long-term but fundamental philosophy for assessment, perhaps unaware they are part of women’s football development. Leading the what is the start of a shift that could have wide- weekend, Humphries was joined by Head of Capital Football: Natalie Lawrence range implications for the growth of the female Football Development Bev Priestman, and [email protected] football infrastructure. Football Ferns legend Wendi Henderson who delivered sessions. New Zealand Football is currently working on identifying and developing a pool of The trio recently were all involved in early March Mainland Football: Emily Toase talented female coaches as the global trend as a female-only level one course was held in [email protected] of highly qualified female coaches at women’s Capital Football, part of the expansion of NZF’s international level gains momentum. female-specific offerings in the coaching course calendar. Across the ditch, Dutchwoman Hesterine de Football South: Dave Martin-Chambres Reus was recently appointed head coach of One attendee surveyed after the Capital [email protected] the Matildas, and Hope Powell (England) is a coaching course described the course as “a prominent female figure in world football. really great, relaxed environment to learn in and develop without added pressure or NZF’s Women’s Development Manager intimidation. “ Emma Humphries says demand for female specific coach education is increasing as the “I was able to network with awesome girls from infrastructure continues to grow. similar settings and experiences, and you feel more comfortable and confident to try things in that environment.

An impressive third-place finish at the “High Performance Sport NZ acknowledged against Scotland, Italy and Switzerland once Cyprus Women’s Cup last month is just the the evidence that NZ Football presented again shows that performance base has first step towards the Football Ferns next and saw the potential of the current squad risen. major targets – the 2015 FIFA Women’s World of players when they fully funded the Cup in Canada and the 2016 Olympics in Rio programme for the next two years.” “Of course we want to win every game we de Janeiro – with High Performance Sport play no matter who we are playing” said Tony New Zealand (HPSNZ) backing the 2016 That funding has quickly been utilised Readings, “but we should never take our eyes campaign to the tune of 1.6 million dollars with the majority dedicated to building a of the big goals. over the next two years. programme of high quality fixtures, with more games against top tier teams to “Everything we do now is designed to make The most recent cycle of funding saw HPSNZ prepare the Football Ferns for the business us a better team at those major events.” reward the Football Ferns on their improved end of tournaments like the World Cup and The funding has also allowed for more full performance across the recently completed Olympics. time resources to be put in place around cycle and performance at the London Olympic Games with funding of $800,000 per year for 2013 and 2014.

Women’s football has been considered a Campaign Investment Sport with the Football Ferns international performances convincing HPSNZ they are tracking towards a medal at the Olympic Games in 2020.

The improvement – which has included highly competitive performances against tier one teams USA, Brazil, England (and Great Britain) as well as scalps of several tier two teams – culminated in the Football Ferns making the quarter finals of the London Olympics, the first New Zealand women’s team to progress past the group stage of a Tournaments like the Cyprus Cup, and the team, supporting the increasedContinued... calendar world event. perhaps the Algarve Cup in future, give coach activity, and is up for review in 2014, in time Tony Readings the opportunity to develop for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup in “The Football Ferns have been tracking well or tweak systems that give New Zealand Canada and the Olympic Games in 2016. over the last 4-6 years with the support that the best chance of success in 2015 and 2016 HPSNZ has provided for their campaigns,” said but the fact that the Ferns have been able to In addition to the cash injection, women’s New Zealand Football’s High Performance work on that and still claim significant results football will have better access to athlete director Fred de Jong.

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Continued... “We’re still a young squad but the players are look forward to a mouth watering match carding, Prime Minister’s Scholarships and experienced and getting ever closer to being against World Champions Japan, with a rare performance enhancement grants. able to match and beat the best teams in the training camp bringing all players back to world on a regular basis. New Zealand for an extended period in the With 15 of the 18 Football Ferns that played build up to that match and a proposed series in the London Olympic Games now plying “We’ve got a strong core of players and a against Australia across the ditch en route to their trade overseas the funding will also wider pool to draw on. This year we’ve added Japan. benefit the next tier of international players players from the U-17 and U-20 groups to coming through, something that Readings train alongside the squad and experience In the back half of the year there are official says will ensure his team can evolve. the habits and commitment required to windows in September, October and succeed at the senior level.” November which Readings and his team may look to fill with fixtures that fit the After the Cyprus Cup, the Football Ferns can overall plan.

2013 Schedule Cyprus Cup, Cyprus March 6: Scotland 0 New Zealand 1 March 8: Italy 0 New Zealand 2 March 11: England 3 New Zealand 1 March 13: New Zealand 2 Switzerland 1 (playoff for 3rd)

Trans Tasman Series, Australia June: Australia v New Zealand (matches TBC)

International, Japan June 20: Japan v New Zealand

Sept 21-26: FIFA Window Oct 26-31: FIFA Window Nov 23-28: F IFA Window

Ferns Abroad - Annalie Longo an Adelaide United featuring Sarah McLaughlin there, but I wasn’t complaining. and Holly Patterson. The export of Football Ferns to professional “It was definitely different. I’m used to getting leagues around the world has been a common “I think six kiwis got on the field when we played forward but this was a test my defensive skills. I theme after the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup Adelaide which is kind of special I suppose,” said learnt a lot and hopefully that will help me be a and the exodus hasn’t abated since the London Sydney’s Annalie Longo. better Football Fern. Olympics. “It was a little strange being up against them “If you ask Tony Readings or other coaches There were plenty of talking points in the but we know each other’s games inside out so they’ll probably identify my attacking strengths Northern Hemisphere winter, with Ali Riley’s I knew how to play against them.” but now I think I’ve got the confidence and LdB FC Malmö losing the Swedish title on the effectiveness out of possession.” final day of the season, Katie Bowen winning Longo believes it is just another sign of New the NCAA Division 1 title with University of Zealand’s rising stocks in the women’s games. Nearing the completion of a Bachelor of Arts in North Carolina and Hannah Wilkinson taking events and advertising at Auckland University her goal scoring form with her to the University “Only eight of us flew out of Auckland for the Longo said the opportunity to play in Australia of Tennessee. Cyprus Cup so three quarters of the team are was perfect for her and may be a springboard, based overseas. It’s great for New Zealand like it did for Stott, to a European contract. It was a little quieter in Germany than Ferns fans football and the team that Ferns are playing in have become accustomed to, but they are set professional environments and hopefully we “It was just perfect for me. I’m still studying at to be spoilt again as the likes of Rebecca Smith can all do great things and then come back and uni so the summer timeframe was perfect. Who (VfL Wolfsburg), Anna Green (Leipzig), Amber be a stronger Ferns team that competes well wouldn’t want to play in that sort of weather? Hearn and Ri Percival (USV Jena) and Sarah against tier one opposition.” Gregorius (Bad Neuenahr) soon to be joined “Playing outside the country against quality by Betsy Hassett and Rebekah Stott (both SC Longo experienced the highs and lows of the opposition each week was also attractive. Sand) and former international Emma Kete(Bad W-League season, battling to win a place in a Obviously, to get better you need to play against Neuenahr). team stacked with internationals before starring quality opposition so if that means playing a as a makeshift fullback and scoring a goal in an short stint in Sweden or Germany then I’m open Stott and Kete were both part of one of this away semi final win over Brisbane that earned to those opportunities. year’s main Ferns abroad storylines – the Sydney a spot in the grand final. growing presence of Kiwis in Australia’s rapidly “I’m quite keen on finishing my degree. I’ve got evolving W-League. “It was a challenge,” said the player whose built four papers left which means I’m here until June her reputation as a creative midfielder. and I’ll reassess then. Stott played every minute for runners up Melbourne Victory; Kete joined Annalie Longo “With the competition in midfield, the coach “The challenge the W-League gave me was and Hannah Bromley in a victorious Sydney FC was set on his three in there and they had playing against and alongside quality players unit; Liz Milne missed only one game for semi all played for the Matildas and were quality week in and week out. It was especially finalists Perth Glory and Abby Erceg captained midfielders. An opportunity came up at fullback noticeable at Sydney FC where we had six or and I played quite well there so kind of got stuck seven Matildas.”

NZ FOOTBALL PO Box 301-043, Albany, Auckland, New Zealand • Phone: +649 414-0175 • Fax: +649 414-0176 • www.nzfootball.co.nz NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL’S NEWSLETTER FOR GIRLS & WOMEN Autumn ‘13 Jackman receives New Year’s Honour Long serving Football Ferns legend current crop of Football Ferns to ply their trade The New Year’s Honour caps off a recent run of overseas. recognition for Jackman, who was presented was recently honoured by being with an official New Zealand Football blazer named a Member of the New “I never thought at the time what I was doing at the home leg of the Football Ferns’ Olympic would make any long term impact, and it’s Qualifier against Papua New Guinea in Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM), for humbling to be thought of as a role model that Whangarei earlier this year. The MVP trophy services to football. others can follow,” said Jackman. for the ASB Women’s Knockout Cup final was renamed The Maia Jackman Trophy in honour The news, announced as part of the New Years Thirty seven-year-old Jackman retired in 2012 of her achievements in that competition – which Honours list, was described as a great boost for nearly 20 years after her international debut she won five times as a player – and her overall the recognition of women’s football by New and admitted the award came “totally out of contribution to women’s football. Zealand Football Chairman Frank van Hattum, the blue”, but acknowledged the support and who was quick to extend his congratulations to contribution of her family, especially her parents. Jackman. “Mum and Dad sacrificed a lot for me to pursue “It’s always nice to see people within the football my football career and without their support I’m family acknowledged and I think the honour is not sure how far I would have gone. This award thoroughly deserved,” van Hattum said. is as much for them as it is for me,” said Jackman.

“Through a combination of talent and passion Jackman’s 50th and final cap came during for football, Maia has made a significant and Women’s World Cup qualifying in October 2010, lasting contribution to the sport for women in coming 17 years after her 1993 debut against this country. She was a pioneer for women’s Canada in New York. She retired before the football and many of our current players can selection for the London Olympics was made thank her for blazing a trail for them to follow.” but still travelled to London as a spectator.

Jackman’s passion brought her 50 ‘A’ international Jackman who is the new national education caps from 1993 to 2010, the highlight being manager for Drug Free Sport New Zealand and selection in the FIFA World XI which played hopes her training as a physiotherapist can keep China in 2007. Five years earlier she played her involved with football. professionally in China, paving the way for the

Maia Jackman – fact file

‘A’ INTERNATIONALS Played: 50 (2 as captain) Goals: 12 Debut: August 6, 1993 v Canada (0-0) Last game: October 6, 2010 v Solomon Islands (8-0) (Was captain for this game, her 50th)

All matches Played: 59 (2 as captain) Goals: 15

FIFA COMPETITIONS FIFA Women’s World Cup China 2007 (played every minute for NZ)

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS ASB Women’s Knockout Cup Final MVP 2 times (1996, 1998) Golden Boot – 2003 OFC Women’s World Cup qualifiers

CLUB/FEDERATION HONOURS Northern Premier Women’s League champions - 7 times (1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2006) ASB Women’s Knockout Cup winners - 5 times (1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2007) ASB Women’s League/National Women’s Tournament winners - 9 times (1995, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009)

OTHER NOTES • Played professional football in China in Dalian Shide in 2002 • Fifth player to make 50 appearances for the Football Ferns • Has played top level club football for 21 seasons • Won the NZ Knockout Cup five times with four different clubs • Five time finalist for NZ International Player of the Year award • Scored hat tricks in three consecutive internationals (only Kiwi ever to do so) • Selected for the FIFA women’s All Stars team in 2007 • Served as a Small Whites ambassador along with Ryan Nelsen

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in Mt Maunganui in the final round to make the final four.

Mainland’s perfect record at home was broken by Auckland who reached the final with a 3-1 semi final win in Christchurch, while Northern eased past Capital 2-0 at home to secure a home final.

In the final, Northern kept Tegg scoreless, something no other team had managed in seven games and the silverware was locked away thanks to second half goals to Tayla Northern go Back to Back O’Brien and Georgia Brown.

The Super City is once again dominating thanks to a large win in the final round. Northern’s skipper Pam Yates says the the ASB Women’s League but the balance of achievement of defending the title was power has shifted across the Harbour Bridge as The Northern Conference race was even more made more remarkable by the changeover in Northern Football successfully defended their unpredictable with Helen Collins leading personnel between seasons. title in December. Waikato Bay of Plenty’s charge with 10 goals in six pool games, a prolific vein of form that “Looking at the squads, we only had half a The 10th season of the national league ultimately caught the attention of New Zealand dozen players left from that winning squad ultimately culminated with a Battle of the coach Tony Readings her handed her a call-up of 2011 and probably only four of our regular Bridge final between Northern and six time for the Football Ferns’ Cyprus Cup campaign. starters were players from last year,” said Yates. winners Auckland, but not without some twists and turns along the way. She saw off the perennial golden boot “We lost three of our best youngsters – Chloe challenger Rebecca Tegg and Central’s Emma Knott, Medan Lee and Hanah Carlsen were Once again split into Northern and Southern Boyack to claim her first national golden boot called up to the U-17 squad and of course Conference, the league relaxed the age- trophy. Hannah Wilkinson went of to univeristy in the restrictions of the previous two seasons. The USA so those are big losses, but there’s a great inclusion of five U-19 players per team on the With defending champions Northern in depth in the Northern Federation, and we got a field at any one time was still a significant nod control throughout an unbeaten round lot of vital support from them as well.” to the development role of the league and robin campaign, Waikato-BOP looked best aligned it with age group World Cup cycles. positioned to join make the semis when they “It also meant that we were able to unearth defeated Auckland away from home in round some new talent like Estelle Harrison who was In the South, Capital started as favorites but three. a real find at left back for us and added some Mainland went through pool play unbeaten dead ball expertise as well. leaving Capital and Central to scrap for the But Waikato’s loss to a rapidly improving New second semi final place – a race that went to the Zealand U-17 side tightened the race, and We were a bit rough at the start of the season wire with Capital edging it on goal difference Auckland took advantage by defeating WaiBop but we came together really well, especially in the second half of the season and that showed in the fact we didn’t concede from round 2 and in the final.”

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Plans are underway to improve what, as the only national club competition for women, is already key part of the landscape.

The alignment of the northern region will see the three northernmost federations combined from the outset – as happens with the ASB Chatham Cup – with the top clubs seeded through to later rounds.

That will remove early round mismatches and open up the competition to more inter- federation ties for clubs outside the Northern League.

“Road trips, mystery opposition and earning the right to take on the big guns are all part of successful knockout competitions and the ASB Women’s Knockout Cup should be no different,” says Humphries.

“There will be some clubs who are naturally attracted by the lure of winning the only national club competition but when you put a development hat on those cross-federation matches, or games against teams from different leagues and divisions can help players and coaches learn a lot.”

“As the competition grows in numbers so do the opportunities for shock results, Cinderella cup runs and increased profile.”

Entries for the 20th ASB Women’s Knockout Cup close on April 12th with the competition Knockout Cup Turns 20 kicking off on the weekend of May 4 and 5. Defending champions Glenfield Rovers from The ASB Women’s Knockout Cup celebrates its “New Zealand has long been a pioneer in Auckland’s North Shore will be among the 20th year in 2013, poised to enter a new era of women’s football and as a community I teams seeded through to later rounds looking growth. think we can be proud that we’ve had this to earn a repeat appearance in the final on competition for two decades already,” says September 14. Since humble beginnings in 1994 with a Emma Humphries. handful of teams, to the entry of Waikato and This year, the trophy given to the player of the Auckland clubs in the two following seasons “But I think now, with the growth in the final has been renamed the Maia Jackman respectively, the competition attracted a infrastructure of women’s football, the wider trophy in recognition of the recently retired record 39 clubs in 2005 and has remained spread of talent among clubs and regions Football Ferns stalwart, who won the Knockout steady ever since. and the commitment of clubs towards their Cup five times, claiming the MVP trophy twice. women’s teams the ASB Women’s Knockout Outside of Europe, the ASB Women’s Knockout Cup can really begin to blossom.” Register your interest for entering the Cup is one of the few examples of a national ASB Women’s Knockout Cup by emailing cup competition for women. [email protected]

Key Dates

April 12th Entries close May 4/5 Qualification Round May 25/26 Round 1 June 22/23 Round 2 July 20/21 Quarterfinals August 24/25 Semi finals September 14 Final

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In the Middle

New Zealand can for the first time field an all- across four different events, Keighley would female referee trio in internationals following only be the second Kiwi to hold the whistle the elevation of Hamilton’s Nadia Browning in a FIFA women’s tournament after the to the FIFA approved list of international trailblazing Linda Black in 1995. match officials. The next major step comes for Keighley in Assistant referee Browning joins fellow May, when she heads to Zurich as part of a assistant Jacqui Stephenson and referee select group of referees attending a FIFA Anna-Marie Keighley to complete the seminar. historic team. The promotion of Browning comes after she Browning’s elevation is timely given the next cut her teeth on ASB Women’s League and cycle of age group women’s world cups is the ASB Knockout Cup, including the finals of due next year, leading into the FIFA Women’s both competitions as well as the ASB Youth World Cup in Canada in 2015. League and Northern League.

“In terms of our goals,” says Keighley, “we’re She has also been involved in Oceania U-17 definitely looking towards the 2015 FIFA and U-20 qualifying tournaments and was Women’s World Cup in Canada – that would part of the match official team for New be the pinnacle. Zealand’s historic series win over China in 2012. “However, getting to the Olympics in Rio the following year would be the icing on the She turned to refereeing after injuries put cake. paid to her playing career and her father, also a referee convinced her to give it a go. “As part of our pathway to those events we are aiming to get promoted to and selected Browning particularly enjoys the team for an U-17 or U-20 World Cup and then aspect of being an assistant referee and says perform well on the bigger stages.” the likes of Keighley and Stephenson have shown great support. While Stephenson is New Zealand’s most experienced assistant referee at FIFA “Everyone in the refereeing world is always tournaments with five match appointments there to encourage and help me develop.”

Kiwi appointments at FIFA Tournaments

EVENT NAME ROLE APPOINTMENTS

FIFA Women’s World Cup China 1991 Linda Black Assistant Referee 5

FIFA Women’s World Cup Sweden 1995 Linda Black Referee 1

Olympic Football Tournament Sydney 2000 Lynn Berry Assistant Referee 5

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup NZ 2008 Jacqui Stephenson Assistant Referee 2

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Trinidad & Tobago 2010 Jacqui Stephenson Assistant Referee 1

FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011 Jacqui Stephenson Assistant Referee 1

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Azerbaijan 2012 Jacqui Stephenson Assistant Referee 1

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Mainland blaze futsal trail

New Zealand’s inaugural ASB Women’s Futsal sessions the week before we left so we made a The taste of trans-Tasman rivalry on the futsal National Tournament champions Mainland good account of ourselves.” court has fired Abaza’s desire to see a New Futsal continued their trailblazing recently with Zealand women’s team created and aiming for an appearance in Australia’s first ever inter- Futsal has a fairly strong pedigree in Canterbury a women’s world cup. state women’s only futsal tournament. and Abaza said the team’s performance has helped begin to rebuild some of the It’s something New Zealand Football have The invitation-only event, held in Melbourne momentum lost through the Canterbury has part of their vision for the sport with eyes over Australia Day weekend in January saw the Earthquake. keenly watching developments by FIFA to Kiwis join nine teams from across Australia for grow women’s futsal and someday launch an three days of fast and furious futsal action. “Pre-earthquake we used to have a lot more official Futsal Women’s World Cup. females playing the game in our Sunday Mainland lost their four pool games but player- competition but since then the numbers have “We would absolutely love to see a Futsal Ferns coach Noran Abaza said the experience of dropped which is disappointing. team,” said Abaza. playing more advanced teams will serve them in good stead. “It’s gradually increasing and we’re seeing a few NZF Women’s Development Manager Emma more players turn up but the best thing about Humphries says a fully-fledged national team “The quality of play was the highest we’d Mainland is we’ve got experienced players here is part of a wider set of medium and long terms experienced and the promising thing was that so that strength helps us continue to develop aims for futsal even though we dropped our games it was even with a four team league. down to our own individual errors rather than “Futsal has a fundamental role to play in the being broken down,” Abaza said. “We’ve seen a few more old faces back through recruitment and development of women’s the doors because of what we did at the football. Technical development is an area New “These teams train week in and week out. nationals and even a few new ones who have Zealand Football is focused on and is reflected There’s a premier league in Sydney for example, heard about us through that. in our girls small sided framework. Futsal fits so they’ve been together a lot longer than us. really well with this and is a flexible option “The depth in women’s futsal isn’t there yet for current and new players to improve their “We got our group for a couple of training around the country but growth is starting to game. pick up and it’s developing nicely. We are currently looking to develop and grow the Girls and Women’s Futsal framework and one day we hope to complete the pathway with a Futsal Ferns team.”

NZ FOOTBALL PO Box 301-043, Albany, Auckland, New Zealand • Phone: +649 414-0175 • Fax: +649 414-0176 • www.nzfootball.co.nz NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL’S NEWSLETTER FOR GIRLS & WOMEN Autumn ‘13

Similarly, if you are a player looking for a winter Approximately 1400 girls took part this season You & Your WDO team to join your WDO can help put you in touch and with an open door policy, more turn up with a team that suits your ability, motivations every week. That’s up from 590 last year. Your local Women’s Development Officer (WDO) and location. is your key contact within your federation for The strategy of attracting new players to the resources and support for the development of The team are keen to build on the successes game by avoiding other winter codes and women’s football. of the summer when and keep momentum playing the sport at a more attractive time through the winter. of year (better weather, greater access to As we head onto the winter season your WDO resources) is paying dividends as girls respond can help with coach or referee development Following a successful Girls and Women’s Week positively to the chance to play with the friends, programmes for people within your club to in 2012, and great work from our Women’s in a fun motivating environment tailored to help strengthen the infrastructure supporting development team in the federations the their age and ability. women’s football at all levels. number of players in girls-only Summer leagues more than doubled this year.

Email your local Women’s Development Officer for more information:

Central Football Northern Football Federation [email protected] [email protected] Capital Football [email protected] Auckland Football Federation [email protected] Mainland Football [email protected]

Waikato Bay of Plenty Football [email protected] Football South [email protected]

Images courtesy of Photosport.co.nz and Getty Images via FIFA. Designed by Sidekick Creative. Content created for New Zealand Football by Playbook Media, www.playbookmedia.co.nz

New Zealand Football would like to thank:

NZ FOOTBALL PO Box 301-043, Albany, Auckland, New Zealand • Phone: +649 414-0175 • Fax: +649 414-0176 • www.nzfootball.co.nz