August 4, 2026 • 8 mins
There's news out of New Zealand Football today that CEO Andrew Pragnell would be standing down from the role in early 2027.
He joined the organisation in a challenging period and has seen massive growth in the game under his leadership, as well as hosting a Women's World Cup in 2023 and seeing the All Whites enter their first World Cup since 2010.
Andrew joined D'Arcy to discuss his next steps.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Wildergrave
from News Talk ZED.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Be confirmed today the CEO of New Zealand Football, Andrew Pradnor,
will be standing down from the role early next year.
Joined the organization pretty challenging period, there is an understatement.
See huge growth in the game under his leadership. As
they hosted the Women's World Cup in twenty twenty three,
the men qualified for the Pinnacle Tournament, this time for
the first time this season. In twenty ten, Andrew joins
(00:34):
us now to discuss his stewardship.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Good evening, Andrew, Good evening, Darcy.
Speaker 4 (00:39):
How are you.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
I'm very well and I expect you're very well too.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Out on the up, although you haven't quite walked from
New Zealand Football.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
But the writing's on the wall. You should know. You
put it there. What was this decision based on, Andrew?
Speaker 5 (00:53):
Ah, Look, I think that I've had a fantastic run.
It's been a complete honor and privilege to be the
organization so long. You know, I'm into my ninth year
and been through a few different World Cup cycles and
I felt like it.
Speaker 4 (01:09):
Was the right time to hand it on.
Speaker 5 (01:10):
Yeah, as you as you said, I'll stay until they've
got the right person in place, but I think it's
time for us set of fresh eyes and fresh ears,
and the organization is really take its next leap.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
No, no, no, you were reading the paper over the
last year and you've got fomo because every other CEO
decided to walk.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
What's in the water with you guys and girls at
the moment?
Speaker 5 (01:30):
Yeah, well yeah, well it's interesting you say that going
out on your own terms is nice, but yeah, the
attrition rate out there is pretty pretty heavy going for
some sports.
Speaker 4 (01:41):
Issue think that you know, work in sport, it's.
Speaker 5 (01:43):
An incredible honor privilege because, let's be honest, our system
is driven but really by hundreds of thousands of hard
working volunteers.
Speaker 4 (01:51):
So it's an absolutely honor and privilege.
Speaker 5 (01:52):
But also the systems are complex and they tend to
Longevity is not normally a trade associated with these roles.
Speaker 4 (01:59):
So I'm happy to have been here as long as
they have.
Speaker 5 (02:01):
And yeah, it's just been It's been a great period
for me, and I hope the sport feels a little
bit of the same.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Well, that's the big question. They always talk about this
in sport. If you're an athlete you're at presenting, so
on and so forth. Have you left this team if
you will, Have you left New Zealand football in a
better state than how you found it?
Speaker 5 (02:22):
Well, I definitely hope so, because it was pretty broken
when I when I came in, I came in just
off the off a bit of turmoil, and I don't
know if you remember, but there was a mirror review
was just getting underway and most people were leaving the
organization pretty quickly. So who found all our relationships were broken?
(02:43):
We didn't run our national teams properly, and we didn't
really have any process as and policies.
Speaker 4 (02:47):
So I didn't.
Speaker 5 (02:48):
I tried not to dig a deeper hole because we're
pretty much rock bottom. And yeah, I look, I hope so. Certainly,
the businesses growing phenomenally. We've had stability for a really
long period. The international teams are playing like they've never
played before, in coming home regularly but mostly the Women's
Real Cup, and and I think that you know, we've
(03:09):
invested downstream both into our competitions and doubled our investment
into our federation.
Speaker 4 (03:13):
So yeah, I.
Speaker 5 (03:13):
Hope so, and I hope the game feels it's in
a great place. But that ultimately comes back to those
volunteers who have put the real mahe in.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
I know when you started, and I know the trouble
that the game was in because I interviewed you, I
think when you first got the job. So we've definitely
had had a road, do haven't you? Over that time?
Been very very difficult over that period. What has been
the most challenging part of running such a big game
here in New Zealand. We're not talking to rugby, but
(03:42):
participation and globally football is so important.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
What have you struggled with of anything? Andrew?
Speaker 5 (03:49):
I think if I had to sort of pull back
and look at the system, I think we're we're such
a big system in terms of our volunteer network and
a club network wanted in twenty clubs up and down
the country.
Speaker 4 (04:02):
Surgeing participation, but we weren't.
Speaker 5 (04:05):
And we you know, we're matured a lot, but we
weren't particularly resource in resource, particularly financially strong, and so
therefore there is a lot of hungry miles to feed
and really limited resource and you know, every part of
the system needed more resource and so you know, we've
made a lot of gains in that area. We've still
got a long way to go, i'd say, but making
(04:27):
sure you prioritize the needs as they come.
Speaker 4 (04:30):
Making sure nothing falls a part of the system. Managing
the politics.
Speaker 5 (04:33):
To be honest, there's a lot of politics involved the
international side of the game.
Speaker 4 (04:37):
As you said, it's.
Speaker 5 (04:38):
Enormous, but that's actually that's I've enjoyed that we've built
a lot of relationships in allies throughout football associations around
the world. Allies have helped us along the way and
helped us get to where we are. So yeah, I
think big system system that was growing so fast, that
continues to need resource and we'll always need more resource.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
You definitely had to tiptoe through the politics and even
at recent times with what's happening within fantast though you
have to sit in a very.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Not a neutral position. But it'd be difficult for you
in this.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
And you're obviously outgoing, but you represent the best for
New Zealand football, which is entwined with FIFA.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
How do he progress through.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Such a difficult situation that he finds himself And now.
Speaker 5 (05:23):
Yeah, that's a fascinating one for I think for us
and a lot of a lot of other football associations
but particularly I think for us in terms of you know,
Oceanian Football Confederation were fairly silent on the matter. I
think ultimately we knew that that proposal was not right.
You know, we found out about it through a media release.
All it did was big further questions. It wasn't clear.
(05:46):
You know, we had this thrive capital, you know how
they're been sourced. Why why private equity? Why now when
the reserves position was so strong? You know what was
what was a problem with They're trying to fact so
but you're right, you know, ultimately a lot of Gianni's
rain actually has increased the commercial revenue into the game
(06:07):
is also increased distribution down through the game prior to
this proposal. But I think you know, we had to
you come back to what your values are. We knew
the proposal was wrong and came out and said that,
you know, ahead of our confederation.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Let's get uplifted instead. What's what have you celebrated the most?
I got a funny feeling. I know what you're going
to say, but in your time in the role, what's
really given you that feeling of joy and success and
tryumph and feel like you're actually doing something for the game.
Speaker 5 (06:36):
Yeah, I think the biggest one for me was was
probably obviously winning and hosting a Women's World Cup was
a messive but the one it probably only took a
maybe maybe it took me six months to a year
down the track from it. But when I got around
the country talking to also non football people around the
impact that Woman's World Cup heading on our economy in
(06:57):
twenty twenty three, you know, we were coming out of
COVID and it wasn't just you know, obviously winning the
hosting rights was amazing, but it propped up New Zealand
in twenty twenty three, tourism sector, hospitality sector, you know,
it did wonders and I think there was a time
which football was a system because ultimately it was football
that won and it was football that hosted. It should
(07:19):
be really proud for what it did for the country
during a time of need.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
And the World Cup just gone and lovely to see
New Zella involved and that looks like that's going to
carry on the expansion of the team. Probably a little
disappointing they didn't get out of their group, which is
I'm sure what all the men wanted and involved in that,
but good time to be part of the whole thing.
Speaker 5 (07:38):
Yeah, massive, as you say, really mixed emotions on that one.
I know that back home we've got all you know,
coming back home people so proud of the way we played.
They'd never seen necessarily the team play like that, scoring goals,
but you know, and an incredible experience.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
And yes, we'll be.
Speaker 5 (07:58):
Back, We'll be back, absolutely, But I think you know
that was that's mixed because that group, that group players
vast majority of who are going to be back in
twenty thirty. We're capable of getting out of the group
and they will. They will do that in twenty thirty
for New Zealand. That's something key we should be pretty
excited about.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
And on that, mister pregnant, will let you get on
with clearing your desk. Well that's going to be a
while yet, I'm sure. Hey, thanks for joining us. Always
been a pleasure to talk to you and have access
to you as well along May that continue wherever you
may go.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
Thank you so much, Darcy.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Wildergrave
from News Talk ZED.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Be confirmed today the CEO of New Zealand Football, Andrew Pradnor,
will be standing down from the role early next year.
Joined the organization pretty challenging period, there is an understatement.
See huge growth in the game under his leadership. As
they hosted the Women's World Cup in twenty twenty three,
the men qualified for the Pinnacle Tournament, this time for
the first time this season. In twenty ten, Andrew joins
(00:34):
us now to discuss his stewardship.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Good evening, Andrew, Good evening, Darcy.
Speaker 4 (00:39):
How are you.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
I'm very well and I expect you're very well too.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Out on the up, although you haven't quite walked from
New Zealand Football.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
But the writing's on the wall. You should know. You
put it there. What was this decision based on, Andrew?
Speaker 5 (00:53):
Ah, Look, I think that I've had a fantastic run.
It's been a complete honor and privilege to be the
organization so long. You know, I'm into my ninth year
and been through a few different World Cup cycles and
I felt like it.
Speaker 4 (01:09):
Was the right time to hand it on.
Speaker 5 (01:10):
Yeah, as you as you said, I'll stay until they've
got the right person in place, but I think it's
time for us set of fresh eyes and fresh ears,
and the organization is really take its next leap.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
No, no, no, you were reading the paper over the
last year and you've got fomo because every other CEO
decided to walk.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
What's in the water with you guys and girls at
the moment?
Speaker 5 (01:30):
Yeah, well yeah, well it's interesting you say that going
out on your own terms is nice, but yeah, the
attrition rate out there is pretty pretty heavy going for
some sports.
Speaker 4 (01:41):
Issue think that you know, work in sport, it's.
Speaker 5 (01:43):
An incredible honor privilege because, let's be honest, our system
is driven but really by hundreds of thousands of hard
working volunteers.
Speaker 4 (01:51):
So it's an absolutely honor and privilege.
Speaker 5 (01:52):
But also the systems are complex and they tend to
Longevity is not normally a trade associated with these roles.
Speaker 4 (01:59):
So I'm happy to have been here as long as
they have.
Speaker 5 (02:01):
And yeah, it's just been It's been a great period
for me, and I hope the sport feels a little
bit of the same.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Well, that's the big question. They always talk about this
in sport. If you're an athlete you're at presenting, so
on and so forth. Have you left this team if
you will, Have you left New Zealand football in a
better state than how you found it?
Speaker 5 (02:22):
Well, I definitely hope so, because it was pretty broken
when I when I came in, I came in just
off the off a bit of turmoil, and I don't
know if you remember, but there was a mirror review
was just getting underway and most people were leaving the
organization pretty quickly. So who found all our relationships were broken?
(02:43):
We didn't run our national teams properly, and we didn't
really have any process as and policies.
Speaker 4 (02:47):
So I didn't.
Speaker 5 (02:48):
I tried not to dig a deeper hole because we're
pretty much rock bottom. And yeah, I look, I hope so. Certainly,
the businesses growing phenomenally. We've had stability for a really
long period. The international teams are playing like they've never
played before, in coming home regularly but mostly the Women's
Real Cup, and and I think that you know, we've
(03:09):
invested downstream both into our competitions and doubled our investment
into our federation.
Speaker 4 (03:13):
So yeah, I.
Speaker 5 (03:13):
Hope so, and I hope the game feels it's in
a great place. But that ultimately comes back to those
volunteers who have put the real mahe in.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
I know when you started, and I know the trouble
that the game was in because I interviewed you, I
think when you first got the job. So we've definitely
had had a road, do haven't you? Over that time?
Been very very difficult over that period. What has been
the most challenging part of running such a big game
here in New Zealand. We're not talking to rugby, but
(03:42):
participation and globally football is so important.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
What have you struggled with of anything? Andrew?
Speaker 5 (03:49):
I think if I had to sort of pull back
and look at the system, I think we're we're such
a big system in terms of our volunteer network and
a club network wanted in twenty clubs up and down
the country.
Speaker 4 (04:02):
Surgeing participation, but we weren't.
Speaker 5 (04:05):
And we you know, we're matured a lot, but we
weren't particularly resource in resource, particularly financially strong, and so
therefore there is a lot of hungry miles to feed
and really limited resource and you know, every part of
the system needed more resource and so you know, we've
made a lot of gains in that area. We've still
got a long way to go, i'd say, but making
(04:27):
sure you prioritize the needs as they come.
Speaker 4 (04:30):
Making sure nothing falls a part of the system. Managing
the politics.
Speaker 5 (04:33):
To be honest, there's a lot of politics involved the
international side of the game.
Speaker 4 (04:37):
As you said, it's.
Speaker 5 (04:38):
Enormous, but that's actually that's I've enjoyed that we've built
a lot of relationships in allies throughout football associations around
the world. Allies have helped us along the way and
helped us get to where we are. So yeah, I
think big system system that was growing so fast, that
continues to need resource and we'll always need more resource.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
You definitely had to tiptoe through the politics and even
at recent times with what's happening within fantast though you
have to sit in a very.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Not a neutral position. But it'd be difficult for you
in this.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
And you're obviously outgoing, but you represent the best for
New Zealand football, which is entwined with FIFA.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
How do he progress through.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Such a difficult situation that he finds himself And now.
Speaker 5 (05:23):
Yeah, that's a fascinating one for I think for us
and a lot of a lot of other football associations
but particularly I think for us in terms of you know,
Oceanian Football Confederation were fairly silent on the matter. I
think ultimately we knew that that proposal was not right.
You know, we found out about it through a media release.
All it did was big further questions. It wasn't clear.
(05:46):
You know, we had this thrive capital, you know how
they're been sourced. Why why private equity? Why now when
the reserves position was so strong? You know what was
what was a problem with They're trying to fact so
but you're right, you know, ultimately a lot of Gianni's
rain actually has increased the commercial revenue into the game
(06:07):
is also increased distribution down through the game prior to
this proposal. But I think you know, we had to
you come back to what your values are. We knew
the proposal was wrong and came out and said that,
you know, ahead of our confederation.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Let's get uplifted instead. What's what have you celebrated the most?
I got a funny feeling. I know what you're going
to say, but in your time in the role, what's
really given you that feeling of joy and success and
tryumph and feel like you're actually doing something for the game.
Speaker 5 (06:36):
Yeah, I think the biggest one for me was was
probably obviously winning and hosting a Women's World Cup was
a messive but the one it probably only took a
maybe maybe it took me six months to a year
down the track from it. But when I got around
the country talking to also non football people around the
impact that Woman's World Cup heading on our economy in
(06:57):
twenty twenty three, you know, we were coming out of
COVID and it wasn't just you know, obviously winning the
hosting rights was amazing, but it propped up New Zealand
in twenty twenty three, tourism sector, hospitality sector, you know,
it did wonders and I think there was a time
which football was a system because ultimately it was football
that won and it was football that hosted. It should
(07:19):
be really proud for what it did for the country
during a time of need.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
And the World Cup just gone and lovely to see
New Zella involved and that looks like that's going to
carry on the expansion of the team. Probably a little
disappointing they didn't get out of their group, which is
I'm sure what all the men wanted and involved in that,
but good time to be part of the whole thing.
Speaker 5 (07:38):
Yeah, massive, as you say, really mixed emotions on that one.
I know that back home we've got all you know,
coming back home people so proud of the way we played.
They'd never seen necessarily the team play like that, scoring goals,
but you know, and an incredible experience.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
And yes, we'll be.
Speaker 5 (07:58):
Back, We'll be back, absolutely, But I think you know
that was that's mixed because that group, that group players
vast majority of who are going to be back in
twenty thirty. We're capable of getting out of the group
and they will. They will do that in twenty thirty
for New Zealand. That's something key we should be pretty
excited about.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
And on that, mister pregnant, will let you get on
with clearing your desk. Well that's going to be a
while yet, I'm sure. Hey, thanks for joining us. Always
been a pleasure to talk to you and have access
to you as well along May that continue wherever you
may go.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
Thank you so much, Darcy.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
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