New Zealand Football has launched the Ford Women in Leadership Graduate Network to support the continued learning and development of more than 100 graduates from the Ford Women in Leadership programme.

The programme, which began in 2020 and was expanded as part of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 legacy plan, aims to strengthen leadership capabilities, tackle biases in women’s football, and build a community of female leaders dedicated to increasing their impact on the game.

Graduates from the programme have come from across the game, including participants from New Zealand Football, the six New Zealand football federations, community clubs, and from New Zealand Football partner Ford. 

Among the graduates is New Zealand Football’s Women's Talent Manager and U-17 head coach Alana Gunn, who participated in the programme while coaching in the Women’s National League Championship before advancing to international football.

 

Launching this month, the Graduate Network, powered by New Zealand Football’s NZF Learn platform, will provide a space for Ford Women in Leadership Programme participants to connect, learn, and grow together. 

It will also be a forum to celebrate the successes of alumni in the game across Aotearoa and beyond.

As part of the network, participants will be invited to join a series of events and will have opportunities to connect and collaborate to further develop the game.

Paula Hansen, GM Legacy and Special Projects at New Zealand Football, sees the Graduate Network as a crucial next step for the successful Ford Women in Leadership programme:

“The Ford Women in Leadership programme has been a great success, bringing together participants from across the country to share in an empowering experience.

“There are thousands of women involved in the game in various roles, yet football remains male-dominated so programmes like this are essential for building connections and creating opportunities for learning and growth.

“The Graduate Network takes this initiative further by connecting over 100 women who have participated in the programme, allowing them to continue growing together, learning from one another, and sharing their experiences of the biggest team sport in Aotearoa New Zealand.”

Article added: Monday 31 March 2025