At our 2023 AGM we were honoured to welcome two new Life Members, Aimee Barwick and Noel Robinson. 

Noel Robinson has been a part of the football landscape for decades. From local clubs, administration, management, national and throughout the northern region football district.

Noel has given a huge amount of hours and energy - There would be very few people who have served the game for as long as Noel and he has had a huge influence on South Auckland through his involvement with Papatoetoe AFC, where he served as President from 1977 until 1986 and was made a Life Member in 1983.

His late wife Jean also spent many, many years with Papatoetoe AFC.  Noel has been Patron of Papatoetoe United FC since its formation, as well as being involved with the former Franklin & Districts FGA (Later Counties Manukau Soccer Association). He served also for many years with Clubs in Mangere and Manukau. 

He’s also served at national and international level as a member of the Northern Provincial Council, who ran the Northern League through the 1980’s, and as a Board member of New Zealand Soccer 1986 – 1990 before being its CEO from 1990 – 1995, and again as a Board Member during the late 1990s. He was also a key figure in the establishment of the Football Kingz entry into the Australian Soccer League in 1999.

“I really value this honour,” said Noel. “They don’t come to everyone, and hopefully it says
you’ve done something significant for the sport. Nothing I’ve done has been for personal benefit, it’s been all about developing the game, especially here in South Auckland. That’s where I like to be, among the grassroots, that’s where it’s happening.”

Noel has missed very few committee meeting over the years he believes strongly in leadership, but one can still find him volunteering as an advisor to the Manukau United Board. He helps set up and prepare at the Centre Park grounds where he has been President of the Mangere Centre Park Sports Association for decades and helps other sports clubs in the area. Noel has been instrumental in the development of South Auckland football’s newest club entity and continues to be a driving force for sport in the region. He has given countless hours of support, guidance, hard work and inspiration.

Noel was nominated by Maia McGregor and Iliyas Daud, Manukau United FC 

Aimee Barwick has been involved with and served our football community for many years, and actively involved in football governance since 2013.  

She began by supporting her kids playing football, before becoming Chair of the Forest Hill Milford club. Soon, she was elected to the Northern Football Federation Board as a Board member and Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee, before becoming Chair in 2018.  

"Thank you for incredible honour and recognition. It was a privilege to have the various Board roles over my tenure at the Federation and work with such an incredible group of people from the New Zealand Football, all the Federations, Club staff and coaches through to the players." 

"Being able to be part of this talented and passionate community taught me so much and I will forever be grateful. I look forward to being able to be back with this community as a life member on my return to NZ in a few years. I wish you all the best for the coming season and of the Women's World Cup which I will be following closely," said Aimee Barwick. 

Aimee played a critical role in the merger of the NFF and Auckland Football Federations, Co-Chairing the Steering Committee that guided the merger over a three year period, which was successfully completed in 2021. 

Alongside Andrea Nelson, Aimee was the inaugural Co-Chair of the newly formed Northern Region Football Board that finalised all the merger requirements, and introduced a new NRF strategy.  

Aimee had a large day job as Deputy Country Head of a global engineering firm, but remained committed to her football governance role that required a significant commitment of time and energy to navigate the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns and the merger processes.  

Aimee was a strong governance practitioner, bringing a calm, considered and pragmatic approach to everything she has given and achieved in our game.  Her tireless mahi on the AFF/NFF merger was instrumental in a successful outcome.  The Board are deeply grateful for her contribution and on behalf of the game, are nominating Aimee for Life Membership of Northern Region Football.  

Aimee Barwick was nominated by Andrea Nelson on behalf of the NRF Board

Read more about our life and honorary members. 

Article added: Thursday 08 June 2023