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New Zealand Football has announced the appointment of experienced sports administrator Andrew Pragnell as its interim Chief Executive for the next six months.

Pragnell, currently Manager of the Partnerships Team at Sport New Zealand, replaces former Chief Executive Andy Martin who resigned abruptly last month in the wake of criticism of his handling of complaints around Football Ferns coach Andreas Heraf.

Pragnell, who has previously held leadership roles with Auckland Council, the Human Rights Commission, while also lecturing in Sport Management at AUT, recently served as Sport NZ’s acting General Manager of the Partnerships and Communications division.

He will take unpaid leave from Sport NZ to undertake his role at New Zealand Football while an independent review into the Ferns environment is conducted by leading employment lawyer Pip Muir is completed.

Heraf was placed on "special leave" while a review of the team's environment takes place having been the subject of letters of complaint from 13 of his players on 18th June.

Saying he is delighted to appoint someone of Pragnell’s experience to lead the organisation during this transition period, New Zealand Football President Deryck Shaw stated “we are really pleased to have someone with Andrew’s depth of sports experience in the role – he comes to New Zealand Football with huge credibility, a proven track record and perspective on how other leading sports in New Zealand are operating.

“The New Zealand Football EXCO and the Senior Management Team are excited to be working with someone they know well, is highly capable and will be a great fit for the organisation.”

New Zealand Football advised that Pragnell has a wide range of facility development experience from Major Facilities to brokering sports club partnerships. Having worked as a sport development manager for many years across the Pacific region following a career working in the International Development sector, he has a passion for sport, education and facilitating opportunities for communities.

Pragnell, who take up the position on 30th July, says he is looking forward to working with the New Zealand Football Executive Committee and the New Zealand Football Senior Management Team, adding “I’m really excited about the opportunity to contribute to one of our leading sport organisations during this period of transition.

“I’m also looking forward to building on the regional relationships with the Federations and clubs to improve services to members.”

The process of appointing the interim Chief Executive was completed independently of Sport NZ.

However, Shaw thanked Sport NZ for supporting Pragnell’s application and providing him with leave of absence to take the role.

The permanent Chief Executive role will be advertised once the New Zealand Football EXCO have agreed the requirements for this position, a process that could take up to six months.

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