The hunt to find the McDonald’s Junior Football Coach of the Year has been narrowed down to 35 people after five regional finalists were selected in each federation.

The popular competition aims to recognise some of the 6,000 coaches who volunteer to spend their weekends coaching local teams and making sure children get active, develop their football skills and, most importantly, have fun.

The shortlists were drawn from nearly 700 nominations across the country, which were encouraged for positive behaviour both on and off the pitch, including supporting players from the touch line, introducing new players to the game and helping out in the local community.

A regional winner in each federation will be drawn from the shortlist of finalists and will be announced on Monday 19 August. From those seven regional winners, the overall McDonald’s Junior Football Coach of the Year will be found and revealed on Friday 23 August.

All of the 35 regional finalists are already winners in their own right though with each receiving a coaching pack while the seven regional Coach of the Year winners will receive a further accessories and apparel kit, as well as a trophy.

The national winner will likewise be presented with all of the above and, best of all, will also receive a trip for two to the United Kingdom to attend an English Premier League match including four nights’ accommodation and spending money.

The overall winner’s prize pack is valued at $10,000 NZD.

McDonald’s Junior Football Coach of the Year regional finalists

Northern Football:

Keith Leslie (Birkenhead United), Craig Freeman (Mangawhai), Julie Sutton (Oratia United), Sean McNulty (Kerikeri), Raphael Ferraz (Birkenhead United)

Auckland Football:

Shane Thomas (Waiuku), Jason Cornford (Onehunga Sports), Louise McGarry (Papakura City), Dion Hansen (Manurewa), Shalvin Dutt (Bay Olympic)

WaiBOP Football:

Steve Taylor (Blue Rovers Tauranga), Jared Williams (Ngaruawahia United), Tarena Ranui (Northern United), Ben McFarlane (Otonga Road), Mark Flower (Taupo)

Central Football:

Amy Haughian (Football Wanganui), Rikki Parrett (New Plymouth Rangers), Kim Perano (Eastland Juniors), Belinda Warrington (Palmerston North Marist), Dion Doherty (Napier City Rovers)

Capital Football:

Jonathan Winkworth (Upper Hutt City), Leonie Vines (North Wellington), Jenny Maxwell (Douglas Villa), Brad Milne (Waikanae), Andrew McGoff (Petone)

Mainland Football:

Jason Gwynne (Nomads United), Chris Hoult (Halswell United), Kelly Tonkin (Cashmere Technical), Tony Joseph (Ferrymead Bays), Emily McCallum (Blenheim Valley)

Football South:

Phil Kelly (Maori Hill), Blair Devlin (Queenstown), Jenny Strachan (Football Waitaki), Tayla Baldwin (Roslyn Wakari), Raewyn Winter (Waihopai)

Good luck to all those involved! 

Article added: Thursday 15 August 2019