The Southern United youth team should be in good hands this season.
Former All White Graham Marshall has been appointed as coach and he is keen to impart his knowledge and help enhance the links with Southern United.
The 48-year-old played 18 games for New Zealand, 10 of them A internationals. He moved from striker to defender to make the step up to international football, and also had a four-month stint with Crystal Palace on a football scholarship in the late 1980s.
He got involved in coaching last season through his son, Harrison (12), who plays age-group representative football for the province.
"Capturing these boys at this age, between 12 and 19, and giving them the experience that I sort of had going through that period is what interests me," Marshall said.
"There is a real alignment that is needed between the youth team and first team, so we will be working closely together. I’m keen for that because it is important for these boys to see what their pathways are."
Marshall has a level two New Zealand Football coaching certificate and, while his coaching career is still in its infancy, he is ambitious.
"You don’t play for New Zealand if you are not," he said, adding he would look at other opportunities if "things went well".
Marshall will hold trials early next month.
The youth team did well last season, winning seven and drawing one of its 11 round-robin games.
Football South and Southern United have also confirmed other appointments.
Terry Boylan has been named as Southern United assistant coach to help head coach Paul O’Reilly.
Hayley Stirling will continue as the Southern United women’s team head coach, with Tom Stevens stepping up to assist Stirling.
Darren Hart (coach) and Marc Matsas (manager) will continue in their roles with Southern United’s futsal team.
