WaiBOP Football Federation is governed by a Board of Directors, with three positions being elected by the Federation’s Members, while another four positions are appointed by an independent selection committee. The Board positions are for three year terms.

Depending upon the skill sets required, co-opted positions can also be introduced for two year terms.

The current WaiBOP Football Board of Directors are:

MARK BROWNING (CHAIR) (ELECTED)

Mark is employed by Tetra Pak (New Zealand) Limited in a role which has multiple cross functional requirements, including Sales and Marketing, Manufacturing, Logistics and Technical Services. He has a tertiary qualification from the Waikato University in Management. He utilises his skills to collaborate across multiple sector and industry groups and has the commercial acumen to secure value-added agreements and strengthen the relationships these agreements create. 

Mark has been involved in football for most of his life either as a player, coach (both at junior and senior level) or as a club administrator. Mark played Northern League football for Hamilton Wanderers and represented Waikato at age group level. During his 26 years at Hamilton Wanderers he was a member of the Management Committee for 10 years and Club President for 3 years thus understands the challenge’s clubs face on a day-to-day basis.

CHERI-LEE ATKINSON (DEPUTY CHAIR) (APPOINTED)

Cheri-Lee is of Ngati Toa, Ngati Koata, Kai Tahu, Ngati Mutunga and Ngati Tama descent. Raised in several rural towns in the North Island, Cheri-Lee now calls Hamilton her home. She's a Senior Legal Advisor with Waikato-Tainui in their Governance and Legal team, and provides legal support across the entire iwi. 

Cheri-Lee has a strong desire to contribute to the community. She brings strong leadership, governance and technical skills to the board. She believes the role of a board member with the Federation is as a kaitiaki (a guardian) and understands the importance of protecting the values of football in New Zealand. Having played football in High School and University, Cheri-Lee has naturally become involved again through her children's participation in the sport. 

MERV WILLIAMS (APPOINTED)

Merv works as a GM Marketing with international sealants company Soudal of Belgium. Prior to this Merv has a background in agency marketing (over the last two decades) dealing with a huge assortment of commercial and government clients throughout New Zealand. 

Merv has a long association with the game within the WaiBOP Federation. He has played football for over 30 years, has coached Federation Representative team's and currently coaches the Melville United Federation Premiership side. 

Merv has been on the WaiBOP board for 11 years and was also Board Chair of the ASB premiership franchise team – WaiBOP United. Merv provides input on marketing, communications and football in general.​​​​​​​

LEON JOHNSON (APPOINTED)

Kia ora koutou,

Ko Hikurangi te maunga,
Ko Waiapu te Awa,
Ko Horouta te waka,
Ko Ngati Porou te iwi.

Ko Claudelands Rovers te rōpū whutupaoro.

Ko Leon Johnson toku ingoa.

Leon reckons he has been an average footballer for the majority of his life, having played his entire senior career at Claudelands Rovers. He's a proud father of two amazing girls, Addison-Mclean and Quinn. Both are keen footballers and, according to their dad, have surpassed him in terms of skills and talent already!

"Helping to make football in the region as rewarding for them (and the generations to come) as it has been for me is something I am keen to be a part of," says Leon. "I bring a strong understanding of the commercial world and a wide range of business experience honed from over 20 years in the commercial property sector where I have dealt with government agencies to corporates, charities and churches to mums and dads.

"I'm looking forward to adding value to the governance team and putting my shoulder to the wheel when required."

ANDY WILLIS (ELECTED)

Andy works in the ANZ Business team for the Bay of Plenty, currently specialising the the wholesale rural space in the team covering the wider Rotorua and Taupo area. He's held various roles with ANZ since 2017, in both retail and business banking, and has experience in financial analysis, risk management, client management and judgemental credit. Prior to his role with ANZ he held sales and relationship management roles with Flight Centre New Zealand and Spark business. 

Andy has a passion for football with more than 15 seasons as a senior player with a number of WaiBOP clubs including, most recently, as a player and coach with Lakes Football Club in Rotorua. He sees football as a way to bring communities together, to stay active, and give anyone the opportunity to be a part of an enviroment in which they can create positive outcomes.

LEIANNE NORDSTROM (CO-OPTED)

Leianne Nordstrom is a Senior Physiotherapist with APM Workcare servicing the wider Waikato region. She has post-graduate qualifications in education, with a passion for sport, health and community service. Over the years, this has seen her actively involved as a Player, Coach, Physio and supporter across many codes and with sports teams, both locally and overseas. She is married and the proud mother of four, with her twin boys reigniting her love for football in more recent years.  

Sport has always played a positive part in Leianne’s whanau and she is very aware of the positive opportunities and it can bring to individuals, families and communities. 

Enhancing the collective, removing barriers to play and bringing people forward together is something she strongly values. Diversity of thought and experience is something she draws on daily with her whanau background, which includes South American, Pakeha and Maori culture and values. 

Leianne brings years of experience and service within a variety of commercial, charitable and community organisations, to drive and support success within the local football community. In health, planning for progress and having clear outcomes to pursue are an everyday thing Leianne intends to carry over in her work on the WaiBOP board.

“Whakaaro tahi, kokiri tahi” – Thinking together, moving forward together.

DAVID IRELAND (ELECTED)                                  

David is the General Manager of Enrich+, an organisation that supports over 500 people with a wide range of disabilities, across the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and King Country. He has a tertiary qualification in Management through Waikato University along with a background in mental health & addictions and disability support.

David has been involved in football most of his life, including playing in various leagues up to and including National League. David was president of Te Awamutu AFC for many years and is a life member of the club. 

He has been on the board for eight years now in his second stint on the board. David has a particular focus on relationships with stakeholders, including NZF, and other Federations.

Football has been an integral part of David's family with his wife and daughters also being involved and he sees football as a great way to bring communities together.