New Zealand Football names new Chief Executive

New Zealand Football's new Chief Executive Grant McKavanagh says he is joining the organisation at the perfect time and sees no slowing of the sport's recent momentum.
With football in New Zealand reaching new heights on and off the field, McKavanagh is relishing the challenge of building the game's current impetus.
McKavanagh, who replaces Michael Glading as Chief Executive states "it's a perfect time to join. 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.
"We have great corporate support from ASB, Nike, McDonald's Volkswagen and Persil. Football in New Zealand is in the best position it's ever been in to catapult forward. "
McKavanagh is a former Chief Executive of Radiola Corporation (the New Zealand distributor of Samsung products ) and a former manager of other retail businesses in the mobile phone and service station sectors as well as holding positions with a focus on business generation.
He believes 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. McKavanagh adds "the big thing for me is realising that Whole of Football Plan vision."
"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 U-17, U-20 and Olympic levels we've got a platform to push these players through.
New Zealand Football Chairman Frank van Hattum said McKavanagh's appointment would allow continuity, stating "Grant brings demonstrated leadership in fiscal management, relationship management and ability to grow business.
"We've had unprecedented level of activity in recent times both in terms of international activity and game development and all the while with prudent financial control. With Grant's appointment we can continue the progress of football in New Zealand."
McKavanagh, who has played the game for 30 years, takes up his new role on 2nd May.