Former Prime Minister John Key to guide football’s growth in New Zealand

Former New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, who stepped down in December, has been named as the Patron and Ambassador for one of New Zealand Football’s key partners and sponsors - ISPS Handa - as the governing body announced the ISPS Handa Premiership for the next three years from the 2017/18 season.

The former New Zealand leader is a patron of the All Whites, and attended the FIFA World Cup in South Africa in 2010.

Invited to the All Whites training to meet coach Anthony Hudson and the team and speak with them ahead of their FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Fiji, Key is excited to see football go to a new level in New Zealand.

As Prime Minister he experienced first-hand the impact the All Whites’ incredible run at the FIFA World Cup in 2010, walking onto the pitch after the All Whites pulled off an incredible 1-1 draw with defending champions Italy at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

Key then saw the impact their heroics had on football participation numbers here in New Zealand.

He explains “it was a great result and the team didn’t lose a game.

“That tournament encouraged a lot of young Kiwis to get involved in football. If we can qualify for Russia next year I am sure it will have the same impact.”

Key is excited to be aligned with New Zealand Football and ISPS Handa in an exciting time for the sport. More than 150,000 Kiwis are registered to play football and there is significant growth across all areas as the leading participation sport in New Zealand.

He said it means a lot to him to be named as ISPS Handa’s Patron and Ambassador, adding “this will be a long-term relationship with Dr Handa who is very philanthropic and wants to support organisations and football in New Zealand.

“For football, it is a sport we want to actively encourage young New Zealanders to participate in. They needed more support and more sponsorship. It is great having someone from offshore who is bringing some money not only in golf and Paralympics teams but now football.”

New Zealand Football Chief Executive Andy Martin said the former Prime Minister’ involvement is a huge coup for the game.

Martin stated “as we are trying to influence the older decision makers in New Zealand who have been brought up with rugby, having someone like Handa but also John Key to endorse us to take a second glance, people will start to see there is a return on investment from football and that we can go to countries that perhaps other sports can’t, and we have John Key in our camp as well.”

ISPS Handa Director Midori Miyazaki said that Key, who she and Dr Handa met during their involvement with the ISPS Handa New Zealand Golf Opens, played a significant role in the partnership.

She stated “I do have to say that it was (John) who really encouraged Dr Handa to sign the contract with New Zealand Football.

“It is really the relationship that is very important in these endeavours so we are happy and we are very grateful.

“There is nothing better than this that can happen to us. John has been the leader of New Zealand for eight years or more and his insight to things here in New Zealand and internationally will be very special and we’d like to be guided by him in a way that will make our projects very impactful.”

ISPS Handa Sponsorship in New Zealand

• New Zealand Football – ISPS Handa Chatham Cup
• New Zealand Football – ISPS Handa Premiership
• ISPS Handa New Zealand Men’s Golf Open in Queenstown
• ISPS Handa New Zealand Women’s Golf Open in Christchurch (2012 to 2016)
• New Zealand Olympic and Paralympics New Zealand Committees Fundraiser

Images: Andy Martin, Midori Miyazaki, and John Key during Monday's press conference to annouce that funding partner, ISPS Handa, will sponsor the ISPS Handa Premiership for the next three years (top, courtesy of Shane Wenzlick/Football NZ) and then Prime Minister John Key with philanthropist Slava Meyn at the opening of the Christchurch Football Centre in 2015 (below).

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