Soccer: NZF find new chief executive

New NZF Chief Executive Grant McKavanagh Shane Wenzlick/Photosport

New Zealand Football's (NZF) new chief executive Grant McKavanagh believes he is joining the organisation at the perfect time and sees no slowing of the sport's recent momentum.

McKavanagh, a former chief executive of Radiola Corporation, the New Zealand distributor of Samsung products, was today announced as the replacement for outgoing chief executive Michael Glading, who has resigned.

With football in New Zealand reaching new heights on and off the field, McKavanagh, 41, who has also had management roles with Noel Leeming and Caltex New Zealand, is relishing the challenge of building the game's current impetus.

"It's a perfect time to join," McKavanagh said.

"The people who have preceded me have done a great job and now it's about fully implementing the Whole of Football plan and taking advantage of where football is placed now."

McKavanagh, who has played football for more than 30 years, said his background in brand-building will help strengthen the platform to support growth in the game, but as both a player and fan it is the sport's grassroots development plan being rolled out over the next six years that really inspires him.

"We lose people in their teens, as do a lot of sports, but we have a chance to create the aspirational and emotional connection with the game to keep people involved for life.

"We can also grow players in our elite game. With the Whole of Football Plan in place and the existing pathways through under-17, under-20 and Olympic levels we've got a platform to push these players through."

McKavanagh assumes the role on May 2.

- NZPA