Stephen Hoyle to swap New Zealand amateur league football for pro A-League
The fulltime professional football landscape now awaits the veteran Napier City Rovers player, and the side's assistant coach for the past two seasons,
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Phoenix hire former Canada coach who spied on Football Ferns
Bev Priestman, the former head coach of Canada's women's football team who was banned for her role in drone spying scandal at the Paris Olympics, has been named as head coach of the Phoenix women's team. Priestman, who also guided Canada to Olympic glory in Tokyo, has signed a two-year deal. She replaces Paul Temple who left following the conclusion of the last A-League season. Priestman recently finished serving a one-year ban from any football-related activity for her role in the Canadian team's misuse of drones at last year's Paris Olympics. Football's world governing FIFA suspended Priestman after an investigation revealed that she along with other coaching staff used a drone to spy on New Zealand's training session at the Olympics. Following an independent review of the incident by Canada Soccer, Priestman was permanently stood down from the head coaching role. Phoenix Chairman Rob Morrison said the club was thrilled to have made a signing of Priestman's calibre. "We're really pleased to be able to welcome Bev back to football," Morrison said. "We all know she's had a period of time away from the game, but we understand the circumstances and we're really comfortable with this appointment. "Bev can't wait to get started and we're really happy that she's going to be coaching the Phoenix." Priestman had previously worked as head of football with New Zealand Football and mentored current Football Ferns coach Michael Mayne. In total Priestman has coached at four FIFA Women's World Cups, three Olympic Games and three FIFA youth world cups. She's twice been shortlisted for the Best FIFA women's coach award and holds the world's most prestigious coaching qualification, the UEFA pro licence. "Bev is a world-class coach and a top person, and I have no doubt she will bring her winning mentality to the Wellington Phoenix," Morrison said. Priestman said she was grateful for the opportunity. "Huge thanks to Rob, Shaun Gill (director of football) and David Dome (general manager) for giving me this chance to come back to the game I love and hopefully bring some special moments to not only this city, but this country," Priestman said. "Coming back to New Zealand and seeing the Phoenix week in week out as the only professional women's team has been amazing. We have a responsibility now to fly the flag for this country and try to do something special. "On the pitch I want to see players express themselves and be brave. I want players to take risks, play forward, excite the fans and get them out of their seats." Morrison said the signing of Priestman was a big move for the club. "Securing Bev as head coach speaks to the ambition we have for this team. "Signing one of the world's best coaches is a statement for the club, but it is also a statement for the Ninja A-League, reflecting the ambition and investment from APL for the development of the women's game in Australasia." It is a full circle moment for Priestman, who 16 years ago headed up coach development in Wellington. She then went on to be New Zealand Football's director of football development and played a pivotal role in the award-winning Whole of Football Plan.
NZ Herald
4 days ago
- NZ Herald
Game by game: Napier City Rovers' National League hopes rest on four key matches
Robertson said his message over the next month was to 'control what we can control', which meant the next game. 'It's very much a next game approach. So, let's win the next game of football and then at 5'o'clock on Sunday we'll see where we are in the league. 'Then we'll do the same the following week. 'We are very much process-driven around just a game at a time. We performed well the last couple of games and Sunday is another opportunity to pick up three points.' Napier City Rovers coach Bill Robertson says his team have to concentrate on the now as they look to keep the dream alive of qualifying for the National League for the fourth successive season. Photo / Neil Reid Napier City Rovers go into Sunday's key match after having a week off having not qualified for the quarter-finals of the Chatham Cup. Prior to the weekend away from the pitch, they had posted back-to-back wins over Upper Hutt City Football (5-0) and Island Bay (4-1). Robertson said he had 'mixed' feelings about having a full week off. 'Off the back of a good win, it would have been nice to have another game to get straight into. 'I think the players would have preferred to have kept playing. 'That being said, it was a good opportunity to have a mental refresh and give a few of the boys with niggles the weekend off. They've come back into training this week with a real focus.' That training group has been minus captain Jim Hoyle and striker Jordan Annear. Hoyle, who has again been consistently one of his side's best in 2025, will miss the next four matches while he is honeymooning in Europe. English striker Jordan Annear signed off his year-long stint at Napier City Rovers with a goal against Island Bay earlier two weeks ago. Photo / Neil Reid Annear ended his 12-month stint with Napier City Rovers in the 4-1 win over Island Bay, with the popular Englishman scoring in his final match before returning to the UK to live. Robertson said while their presence would be missed, the benefit of having a 'competitive squad' meant those who would take their places would do the job. 'It's been difficult for me to select teams every week, which is a good problem to have. 'I'm confident that those players that are coming in will perform well. They've had opportunities at certain times of the season and performed well. and throughout the year they've trained at a good level too.' Mid-season Napier City Rovers recruits Jake Williams (left) Eric Kostandini Ziu (second from left) have looked at home since joining the club. Photo / Neil Reid Two recent recruits will also be keen to continue their impressive form since being signed by Napier City Rovers in June. Italian-born Kiwi striker Eric Kostandini Ziu has been a regular goal scorer since arriving after a stint playing in Australia. Midfielder Jake Williams – a former New Zealand Under-17 international rep – joined the club after four years studying and playing in America. 'They've settled in well, added competition for places and they've got some good attributes,' Robertson said. Napier City Rovers players Sam Lack, centre, and Jake Williams prepare pre-match on Bluewater Stadium's grass. Photo / Neil Reid 'Eric has come in and scored a few goals. 'Jake has added competition for places in the midfield and I thought he had a really good performance against Island Bay. 'They're definitely two players that have come into the squad and added a lot of value.' Neil Reid is a Napier-based senior reporter who covers general news, features and sport. He joined the Herald in 2014 and has 33 years of newsroom experience. Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
4 days ago
- NZ Herald
Auckland FC impress in Australia Cup debut, beating Gold Coast Knights
Auckland FC have made untroubled progress in the Australia Cup. In their debut in the knockout competition, the reigning A-League Premiers dispatched the Gold Coast Knights 4-0 on Tuesday night. They led 3-0 at halftime – helped by a rocket start with a goal after 35 seconds– before they consolidated
