Auckland Football Federation (AFF) has announced that Nic Downes has been appointed as its new Federation Development Manager (FDM).

Holding an OFC/NZF B Coaching Licence, Downes has been an integral member of the Auckland Football technical staff for the past three years.

Auckland Football CEO Bob Patterson is confident that Downes will be a major asset to the federation in his new role. 

“Nic has worked with a number of clubs in the Auckland catchment and has been intimately involved in everything we have done in technical development over the past three years including talent, grassroots, coach education and futsal,” said Patterson.

“Nic is very well placed to occupy this role as someone with coalface experience at AFF club and federation level in multiple areas that shape our football delivery.

"Nic's appointment further demonstrates our commitment to a sustainable technical structure for the benefit of our clubs," he added. 

Downes has already commenced his role and is excited by the challenge in front of him. 

"I'm looking forward to the season ahead and the added challenges and opportunities that the role will bring.

"We've got a couple of changes we are looking to implement across junior football to improve the development opportunities and quality experiences for our younger players.

"Increasing club capability is also going to be a focus for us this year, strengthening our clubs and game delivery across the region."

Downes takes over Auckland Football's foremost technical development role vacated by former All Whites captain and goalkeeper Jason Batty who returned to take up opportunities in the USA last year.

Story courtesy of Auckland Football Federation