Petone FC
Latest updates
Governance & Administration appointments
As we prepare for the 2024 season, Petone Football is pleased to announce several appointments.
In the AGM at the end of 2023, Andy Leslie was elected Patron, the first time the Club has elected a Patron in nine years. As well as being a former All Black captain, and Petone identity, Andy has long been a supporter of the Club. His father, also named Andy, was a club legend, having captained Petone to two of its Chatham Cup wins and coached the third.
Craig Deadman was elected President. Craig has been Chair of the Management/Executive Committee for 12 years and also a successful manager and coach. Craig is well known throughout the Club and was awarded life membership in 2019 for his then 27 years of hard work for the Club.
The Executive Committee has also appointed Michael Pickering to the role of Cub Captain, the first time we have had a Club Captain in almost 20 years. Mike is well known, having been a regular in the men’s first team, with 176 games and he also served on the Executive Committee for five years.
The Executive Committee has again elected Matt Bliss as its Chair, his sixth year in that role. Matt was also was awarded life membership at the 2023 AGM, in recognition of more than 30 years of hard work for the Club in a variety of roles. He will be familiar to many because of his work as ground announcer and leading the after-match announcements in the clubrooms.
Matt will be supported by the Executive Committee elected for 2024, Barry Pickering - Club Secretary, Bruce Jensen - Treasurer, Sarah Clifton - Recording Secretary, Brendan May, Ellen Flett, Mark Fairfield, Jody Siegel, Jeremy Bowen and new members Linda Roeters and Todd Bryant
Sam Pickering role update
Sam Pickering has been integral in the successful development and ongoing evolution of the youth and junior development space for PFC, and he has undertaken this mahi alongside his commitments to captaining the men's first team. This year after the birth of their first child in November 2023, Sam has made the decision to step away from the role of Director of Junior and Youth Football in the club to allow him to spend more time with his family. We know many of the young players in our club have benefited greatly from Sam's dedicated mahi in this space, and he will be missed.
Fortunately, while he won't continue in this role or be playing for the first team this season, he will still be an active part of our club this year. Sam is supporting our men's first squad as part of the coaching team for 2024. He has also taken on a new and less time-intensive role as Head of Methodology, supporting the club's delivery of high quality programmes and supporting coaches to bring our philosophy to life. While most of his work will be in the background, Sam will still be supporting our junior and youth players on their journey with the club.
We have a great coaching team in the junior and youth development space this season to pick up from last year's success and continue to deliver great programmes that will benefit and create a great football experience for your younger players.
Sam Morrissey appointed as Director of Football
We are excited to welcome Sam Morrissey into our Director of Football role!
Sam brings a wealth of experience across the youth, junior, mens and women's spaces that lends itself excellently to our Director of Football role. He is OFC/NZF B Licence accredited and has been part of the Petone FC whanau in the earlier stages of his coaching, and playing career.
His extensive experience includes:
Waterside Karori AFC
Technical Director (3 years)
Womans Head coach (2 years) and part of the Women's National League staff
Men's head coach and Assistant coach
U19's Head Coach
Capital Football
Federation Development Officer (Coach Education Lead)
National Women's League Assistant Coach
Federation Talent Centre Coach
Previous roles at Petone Football Club
Director of Women's football and women's first team head coach
Director of youth football
From Sam - "It's a real privilege to have signed on to support Petone for the 2024 season as the Director of Football. The Petone Football community is one that has already felt like home to me and I'm looking forward to returning and being a part of the magic that is Petone FC once again. The club has seen significant growth over the past few years and it's been great to watch the clubs development from the sidelines. I'm looking forward to contributing to this journey with you all in 2024!"
We are thrilled to have secured a Director of Football of such a high calibre and are confident that this will support the direction and growth of the club going into 2024.
Ryan Edwards to depart Petone FC
We regretfully announce that Ryan Edwards will not be returning in 2024 as our Director of Football and Men’s First team coach. We thank him for his significant contribution to our club over the last 3 years, the legacy he leaves puts the club in a great place going forward. Ryan, we wish you every success for your future and you are always welcome back to Petone, thank you for the impact you have made and the hard work you have put into our club.
To continue our success we are pleased to announce that Jamie O’Connor will step into the Men’s first team coach role and is committed to building a strong team to continue the advancement of our Men's Senior football Programme.
We are also looking to announce a new Director of Football and other coaching appointments shortly.
With all the hard work and progress that has been made over the last 3 years we are confident that 2024 will be another successful year for the club.
