KEY POINTS:
Not many 26-year-olds can look back on 10 years in coaching but Paul Temple hopes his early introduction to the often thankless task has him attuned for the biggest challenge of his career.
As coach of the New Zealand team who kick off their campaign at Fifa's Under-17 Women's World Cup at North Harbour Stadium on Tuesday night, Temple heads into uncharted territory with some trepidation - and high hopes.
Putting the national side out against Canada in the first game is daunting enough. Having to do it at home and in front of players' families and friends adds to the expectation.
But it is that family support which has made Temple's task easier. After all, it is not easy for a male coach - not too much older than many of his players - to be pitched into a dressing room full of giggling teenage girls.
"I have been very aware from the outset that this job is vastly different from dealing with males," said Temple. "You have to be careful. You can't just bowl into the dressing room. I always knock before I enter. We have protocols, before and after games.
"There is a window after the game when the male staff stay outside. You have to be careful. The girls respect us for that."
From the outset, Temple has involved the parents.
"I send out weekly emails to let them know what we are doing. There are no secrets."
Any discussions Temple has with the players are done with assistant coach Rowena Fulham present. There are no one-on-one meetings.
"You definitely can't put yourself in that situation," said Temple. "We pay a lot of attention to that."
It is a job Temple is really enjoying.
Originally from England, he started playing as a 4-year-old and then began coaching at 16 at a club in West Sussex. Temple also worked in the academy programme at Chelsea before coming to New Zealand as a 19-year-old to play a couple of seasons for Mt Wellington in the old National League.
In that too there was a touch of fate.
"Originally I had planned to go to Australia but I wasn't 100 per cent happy with that so I rang all the National League clubs here," said Temple. "The only one I made any contact with was Mt Wellington - and that was because I caught someone at the club cleaning up.
"I came out, joined them and settled in playing mostly in central midfield. I loved it from the start. I returned to England for 10 months and then got offered a job with Soccer2 (now Auckland Football). I was able to combine coaching with playing. It was the best of both worlds."
After coaching at under-16 level and then at Western Springs, Temple has seen the women's game grow.
He has had to adapt but feels he has made the transition well.
"The women's game is slower so more time is spent on the tactical side of the game and the strategies that involves," he said. "I find the girls are really good thinkers and have a good understanding.
"And, there are no big egos to get in the way. Too many guys think they know it all and don't need to listen. Sure, there is a slightly different approach in the way you talk to girls but we keep things open and honest."
Temple admits he has to keep his emotions under control but says he is comfortable in the role - his fiance Hannah Newton (they are getting married in January) has been a big help in becoming well-respected by the players.
Temple, his staff and the players have been single-minded in their approach. Now the months of training are about to be put to the test.
A result against Canada would make it worthwhile and lead, surely, to a raucous post-match dressing room - but with protocols in place.
The route to Tuesday's kick-off:
* September 16, 2006: New Zealand awarded hosting rights for Fifa Under-17 Women's World Cup.
* December 5, 2006: Paul Temple appointed coach of New Zealand team.
* January 30, 2007: Chris Simpson appointed chief executive of organising committee.
* October 28, 2007: NZ and Chile (hosts of November's under-20 Women's World Cup) sign co-operation agreement.
* June 1, 2008: Fifa conduct Cup draw at Te Papa.
* October 1, 2008: Temple names his 21-strong World Cup squad.
* October 28: Tournament kicks-off - New Zealand v Canada.
