"With that comes a change in lifestyle and shift out of the region."
He loves the Bay so should the opportunity arise he and his fiancee, Michelle Gillespie, will have some big decisions to make.
"I love it here so that's why I've been able to change to the under-17s because the New Zealand job was so important for me with a balanced lifestyle."
Birnie is engaged to marry Gillespie and with their daughter, Harper, turning 3 in October the challenges have been there but, thankfully, technology allows him to bridge that gap in fatherhood.
"I'm pretty lucky that Michelle has been so supportive and that has been one of the reasons for the change in role as well."
No doubt Birnie is excited and it just adds another challenge in his workplace.
The former Thirsty Whale Hawke's Bay United midfielder appreciates the pathway is there and adhering to the NZ Football structure has boosted his case.
For Birnie, the previous under-17 stint is history because he begins the campaign tomorrow with entirely new staff and players.
"It's a fresh start and with that comes a real good challenge with bringing the staff together first and then together bringing in players, hopefully, qualify as we build towards the World Cup in November next year in Uruguay."
He thinks the current crop of players is "quite bright" compared with their counterparts from the previous campaign.
"I think there are a number of players in here who have good futures so it's my job to kind of mould them into what their strengths are as players."
The bigger picture is to help the players blossom into Football Ferns. and what areas they need to work on to compete at on an international level.
Birnie emphasises at U17 level it is also about education not just on the field but off it in a high-performance environment as they look to secure a berth at the worlds.
"If they get as far as the under-20 or the Ferns then it'll become a good transition."
He accepts his troops are going into the OFC as clear favourites but there's no room for complacency because taking the appropriate attitude and approach to every game are essential.
He is mindful opposition sides will establish block defences which his teenagers will have to adroitly dismantle, something they have addressed in three camps leading up to the OFC.
In the U20 stint, the Kiwis were in a tough pool with the United States, France and Ghana.
They registered a 1-0 victory over Ghana but stumbled 2-0 to France and 3-1 to the Americans.
Birnie believes the national appointments complement his catchment development role.
"During the last campaign I was very fortunate that my employer and everyone within Central Football were so supportive and this change will balance both roles a lot better."
Observational games were staged this time across all seven federations. Players identified attended national camps before making the cull through a final camp in Auckland.
"The selection process has been tough," said Birnie. "There is a good amount of depth within this group and we have had to have some difficult conversations but we are excited with the squad we have selected and the challenges ahead."
Two Central Football representatives are in the U17 mix - Aniela Jensen, of Palmerston North, and Mackenzie Barry, of Taranaki.
Hawke's Bay winger Aimee Aitkens was identified in July but didn't make the final cut.
New Zealand play hosts Samoa in group A and then will face New Caledonia, Tahiti and Tonga in a bid to make the OFC semifinals.
"I don't think it matters who you are playing, there are going to be huge challenges when you are playing international football," he said. "For many of these girls it is the first time that they will pull on the New Zealand shirt and that comes with its own pressures and challenges."
Spending three weeks outside their comfort zone in the islands will be a test not just for the players but the coaching stable in acclimatising to the tropical heat and humidity as well as playing and living conditions.
