New Zealand Football have appointed Keir Hansen as GM of High Performance to oversee the organisation’s national teams and high performance programme. 

Hansen joins from Netball New Zealand where he has held the Head of High Performance role since 2016, leading the high performance programme that saw the Silver Ferns win the Netball World Cup in 2019. Prior to that he was the National Strength and Conditioning Manager with High Performance Sport NZ.

To support New Zealand Football’s high performance department, All Whites legend Ryan Nelsen and Football Ferns centurion Kirsty Yallop will join the High Performance and Player Welfare Committee, bringing their elite level professional football expertise to the organisation. 

Ryan Nelsen captained the All Whites at the FIFA World Cup 2010, played at two Olympic Games and made 49 appearances for the national team. He made over 250 appearances in the English Premier League and MLS over a 13-year professional playing career. 

Kirsty Yallop made 104 appearances for the Football Ferns playing in two FIFA Women’s World Cups and three Olympic Games. She played professionally for over a decade across Australia, Norway, Sweden and the USA. She has also worked for FIFA as a consultant. 

Ryan Nelsen and Kirsty Yallop are two of New Zealand’s current FIFA Legends, representing Aotearoa on the global stage. 

“I’m delighted we are able to announce these appointments ahead of an exciting 2023,” says Andrew Pragnell, CEO of New Zealand Football. 

“Keir brings a wealth of experience to the position from other leading New Zealand sporting organisations. 

“He understands the landscape of operating high performance sides in Aotearoa and the importance of alignment across the organisation and national teams. 

“We have an ambitious programme lined up for our national teams and we believe Keir is perfectly placed to bring it to fruition.

“As an organisation, we have been very keen to take advantage of the wealth of experience our former national team players have so are really pleased to appoint Kirsty and Ryan to our High Performance and Player Welfare Committee. 

“The High Performance and Player Welfare Committee plays a crucial role in guiding what we do in the high performance space and Kirsty and Ryan’s knowledge and lived experience here will be invaluable.”

Keir Hansen will start in the role in March 2023.

Article added: Monday 12 December 2022