Auckland Football Federation have announced the appointment of Steven Upfold as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Upfold, who has been with the organisation for almost 10 years across two stints, takes on the role following the tenure of interim CEO Bob Patterson.  

Upfold began at Auckland Football as Communications Manager in 2007 and spent six years in the role, before moving on to New Zealand Football for a two-and-half-year stint with the national body as Communications and Media Manager.

Upfold returned to Auckland Football in January of last year, when he became Head of Women’s Football before moving into his current Chief Operations Officer position in June.

Interim Chair John Macleod is delighted with the appointment after a process underpinned by the organisation’s new strategic direction.

“Using our strategic plan as the blueprint for our process, Steven showed through as the clear choice,” Macleod says.

“He has experience at all levels of the football landscape and has full working knowledge of both the opportunities and the challenges which are specific to the delivery of the game in our federation. He is ideally suited to lead the organisation into the next phase of delivery of our strategic plan objectives and we’re excited with the opportunities that lie ahead for Auckland Football under his guidance,” he adds.

“I would also like to acknowledge the work of Bob Patterson in his time as Interim CEO. He has left the organisation with a strong platform from which we can launch forward in the coming years.”

Upfold will begin in the role on June 11 with Patterson returning to his previous position as a member of the Auckland Football board.