We are very excited to announce that Central Football Board member Paula Walker has been accepted by FIFA as the sole New Zealand representative to attend the 2019 FIFA Women in Football Leadership Programme held in November in Zurich, Switzerland.

This 5 day programme aims to support the careers of women capable of influencing the football industry today and in the future through a powerful leadership training week followed by a 12 month mentoring programme.

We sat down with Paula to find out a bit more about her journey in football and her upcoming trip to Zurich.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself including your football experiences both on and off the pitch…

I started playing as an adult when I moved to Napier. It was a really good way of meeting people! I still play socially but found administration and governance is where I feel my skills are best placed and where I can really make a difference.  

I am a past President, Secretary and Club Captain for Taradale AFC and am also life member of Taradale AFC.

I chaired the old Regional Advisory Group and then became a board member at HBU as a way of increasing my experience and being involved at a different level of the game.

I then became chair of HBU in 2014 and was appointed to the Central Football Board in 2018.

I also chair the National League Chairs and work with NZF to represent the needs of all NL clubs.

I am a proud mum of 2 (Josh and Reon) and a Gramma of little Tama who joined our whanau on New Years Day 2019.

Q: Talk us through the application process and how it felt when you got the news you had been accepted?

Nominations from each NZF stakeholder group were sought and I was fortunate to be supported by the National League Clubs.

As I Chair that group, I couldn’t nominate myself so David Dome from the Phoenix wrote an amazing letter of support on behalf of the national league clubs.

I had to formally apply by writing an extensive letter all about my experiences, aspirations, and future goals. My application was then considered by Sport NZ alongside the other applications from New Zealand.

Sport NZ confirmed that they were then putting my application forward to FIFA for consideration. Then the wait began!!

FIFA confirmed I was accepted into the programme and then everything happened quickly!

I am one of 24 women from around the world so I am incredibly proud and humbled to be representing NZF, Hawkes Bay and Central Football. It still feels surreal.

I was really excited when NZF CEO Andrew Pragnell confirmed I had the support of Sport NZ. Then NZF President Johanna Wood confirmed FIFA had confirmed my place, I was actually overwhelmed. It is a massive opportunity and I have been overwhelmed by the message sand emails of support.

Q: What are you hoping to gain personally/professionally from this experience?

I am looking forward to finding the courage to back myself, accept that I do deserve to be there, and take every opportunity offered. I know it is a personal development programme as well as a professional one so while that will be challenging, it will be incredibly rewarding to see what I can do and will do in the future.

Q: What is the rest of the world going to learn about football in NZ from you as our representative?

That a woman who has only ever played social football in Taradale AFC can make a difference at a national and international level.

That we have proud football communities and talented people, and while we don’t always agree, we all come from a place of best intention.

That football in NZ is a game that not only recognises high performers, but brings together communities across our country regardless of background, race, location, or ability.

That we have amazing volunteers who work hard and sacrifice their time to make sure everyone has an opportunity to participate and achieve their own goals.

Congratulations again Paula and we look forward to hearing about the experience upon your return.

Article added: Thursday 14 November 2019