Former All White Aaron Clapham is set to return to the international fold as assistant coach of the New Zealand U-17 men’s team while Michael Mayne has been appointed in the same role within the U-20 men’s set-up. 

Clapham, who announced his retirement from playing two months ago, has been Director of Football at Christchurch club Cashmere Technical for five years and previously acted as a youth coach for Canterbury United and Mainland Football. He is currently in the process of earning his NZF/OFC 'A' Coaching Licence.

Clapham will work alongside U-17 men’s head coach Martin Bullock, who is pleased to have recruited his services. 

“Aaron knows what’s required to perform at international level, which he’ll be able to pass on to aspiring young players who are on the pathway to becoming All Whites of the future,” Bullock says.

“He’s an ambitious coach who wishes to help young Kiwi players develop and become the very best they can be.”

The Canterbury United stalwart made 13 full international appearances for New Zealand and was a member of the All Whites squad at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

“I’m passionate about football in this country and am looking forward to helping our talented young players develop and push on to bigger and better things,” Clapham says.

“I believe there is great potential for our players to achieve and perform on the world stage and am looking forward to learning from Martin’s experiences as we help develop future All Whites.”

U-20 men’s head coach Tony Readings is just as excited to be welcoming Mayne to the fold.

“Michael has accumulated a large amount of experience, both domestically and internationally, in a variety of coaching roles,” Readings says.

“Outside of his obvious football and coaching knowledge, his understanding of learning and this specific age group will be a real asset in the development of this group of players.”
 

Michael Mayne will work with both the U-20 men's and U-17 women's national teams

Mayne has previously operated in an international environment with the U-17 and U-20 women’s national teams and has also held roles at federation and club level with Waitemata, Melville United and WaiBOP Football.

As well as working alongside Readings as assistant coach of the U-20 men, Mayne will perform the same role under Leon Birnie with the U-17 women’s national team.

“My experience in Uruguay with the U-17 women has been my career highlight to date and to have the chance to exceed expectations at future World Cups is hugely motivating,” says Mayne, who holds an NZF/OFC 'B' Licence and completed an 'A' Licence through Football Federation Australia (FFA) at the end of last year. 

“I was lucky enough to captain New Zealand at U-20 level and I have always had a coaching goal of getting back into that programme to share some of the learnings from my time in the game.”

In another coaching appointment, Ruben Parker has been confirmed as goalkeeping coach of the men’s U-17 national team. 

Parker has played in the ISPS Handa Premiership for Canterbury United, Hawke’s Bay United and Auckland City, and is currently with Auckland-based club Western Springs. In addition to his playing career, Parker runs a goalkeeping academy and is passionate about developing young goalkeepers. 

Article added: Thursday 30 July 2020