Former Kavanagh College pupil and Dunedin footballer Andy Boyens has just been given an important job.
Boyens (35 today) has been appointed as the interim technical director of New Zealand Football.
Boyens, who joined the governing body in January 2015 in the role of youth development manager, will step into the position until a permanent technical director is recruited.
He takes on the role previously controversially held by Andreas Heraf. The Austrian was in the job for a year but resigned following a storm of controversy around his approach to the job and his management of the Football Ferns.
New Zealand Football interim chief executive Andrew Pragnell said Boyens' appointment was a logical step.
``Andy brings considerable experience to this role,'' Pragnell said.
``Having played a leading role in the technical advancement of football in New Zealand in recent years, he is well placed to ensure the various key work streams continue as planned.''
The technical director is responsible for ensuring both players and coaches have a clear pathway from community participation through to international teams and providing them with the appropriate support on this journey.
Boyens, who played 19 internationals for New Zealand and was a member of the All Whites squad which was undefeated at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, is looking forward to the opportunity.
`I'm hugely passionate about New Zealand football and feel privileged to be able to be in this position and contribute to the further development of the game,'' he said.
``In the domestic space, I'm looking forward to continuing some of the great work that has been done by New Zealand Football, our federations, clubs and other stakeholders to continue the growth of football in New Zealand.
``In the international space, I will be supporting our national teams to try to achieve the goals that we've set for ourselves while ensuring we are strongly connected to the wider footballing community.''
Boyens came to New Zealand Football on the back of a successful playing career. The 34-year-old played for four clubs in Major League Soccer in the United States, including the LA Galaxy where he won the MLS in 2012.
During his time as a professional footballer, Boyens worked as a coach in his respective clubs' community programmes and academies, including a two-year stint in the LA Galaxy academy straight after his playing career.
When he was in the United States he often came back to Otago in the summer and held junior coaching camps around the South.
He holds the OFC/NZF C, B and A coaching licences, as well as the United States Soccer Federation B Licence, and has helped deliver coaching courses throughout New Zealand.
