Ron dedicates a lot of time into football and is a Life Member of TCAFC. He started playing for the club in 1968, and was at the helm as Club President for 20 years, including when we competed in the National League. He had a leading hand in guiding the club through some tough times and major changes, and while Ron has retired from an official operational role within the club, he still has an important role ensuring all of our fields are ready for football each week.

Ron has coordinated the successful successful Women's and Men's social tournamentsfor 20 years. During the season, Ron also facilitated the Sunday Social league for the Tauranga region. 

Ron said "To be recognised by those other than within our own club members, is truly an honour and makes the many years of devotion to the club and the game, well worth it." 
24 June 2020 Voted a Life Member

A well known and deeply involved member of the Waikato refereeing fraternity, Brett has contributed to our sport in multiple ways over a more than 20 year timeframe. Having refereed up to NRFL Premier League level, Brett has also been an active member of WaiBOP's referees committees and is a current member of the newly formed Referee's Advisory Group.

Brett has led the WaiBOP Referees' appointment panel for more than 10 years. This is a time consuming role, running from February to October, involving the appointment of referees to more than 2000 games per season.

2023 AGM

Norm was a huge part of Eastern Bay of Plenty football. He was an active and enthusiastic referee for many, many years and an avid supporter of football in the region (for many years he contributed a weekly report on the local radio sports show). Norm passed in January 2022. 

Dave Ireland has been a long-serving leader in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty football community, with involvement spanning governance, playing, refereeing, and club leadership. He first joined the WaiBOP Football Board in 2002, serving a seven-year term. He re-joined in 2014 and was elected as Chair, a role he held for eight years. After stepping down as Chair in 2022, Dave remained an elected board member until 2023.

A lifelong footballer, Dave played across multiple levels, including National League, and has given decades of service to Te Awamutu AFC. He served as the club’s president for many years and was honoured with Life Membership in recognition of his leadership and contribution.

Beyond his club and board roles, Dave is known for supporting all aspects of the game, from governance and club development through to refereeing. In 2017, he was named Waikato Rookie Referee of the Year.

2025 AGM

Long-time Cambridge Football Club president Peter Martens QSM was honoured with a Life Membership of WaiBOP Football after four decades of volunteer work with local and regional football. .He served as President of Cambridge football Club for 45 years. June 2020

John is a local legend in Taupo having committed so much to his club over the past two decades.

WaiBOP recognised John McCartney's 20 years service to Taupo AFC and the local community with 17 of those as President. June 2023 AGM. 

Deryck Shaw has been a committed leader in the football community for decades. He served as president of Rotorua United before joining the WaiBOP Football board in 2009, contributing to the development of football across the region. In 2014, he was appointed to New Zealand Football’s executive committee and was elected President in 2015, a role he held until 2018.

Based in Rotorua, Deryck’s leadership extends well beyond the pitch. 

Deryck has had more than 30 years governance involvement in education, health and disabilities, tourism and sports, social services and recreation sectors and nearly 40 years as a business owner.

He has held governance roles across a range of sectors, including chairing the Lakes District Health Board, and has contributed to local and national initiatives that support health, sport and community outcomes.

June 2016

June 2020

Jared Williams, Ngāruawāhia United's President, passed away on July 19, 2021, following a second brave battle with cancer. Jared was a strong champion for Ngāruawāhia United and football in his community.

Alongside his many achievements with Ngāruawāhia United, Jared was a leading proponent in establishing the Waikato Men's Over 35s League, which began at the start of the 2021 season.

He was made a life member of WaiBOP Football Federation at 2021 AGM.