Readings takes over from John Herdman, who stepped down from the role after five years to take charge of Canada’s national women’s team.
Readings, who assisted Herdman in New Zealand’s FIFA World Cup campaigns in 2007 and 2011, as well as the 2008 Olympics, is also currently head coach of the national U-20 side, the Junior Football Ferns.
NZF chief executive Grant McKavanagh noted the close nature of both the U-20 and senior women’s sides, confirming that Readings will continue to hold both positions at this stage.
“It is important in terms of continuity for both the Olympics and U-20 World Cup that there was as little disruption as possible during the handover,” he says.
“Tony has worked closely with the current Football Ferns playing group and there are a number of players who are still eligible for the U-20 team so it makes sense for him to cover both roles in the immediate future with the support of his management team.
“We are confident he will continue to build on the increased professionalism and competitiveness that our women’s football programme has built up over the past five years.”
Readings is looking forward to the challenge of taking the reins of the senior side.
“It’s a privilege and honour to be leading the Football Ferns and I am excited about the new role and the added responsibility that it brings,” he says.
“I am also looking forward to continuing to work with the players to help the team strive towards achieving their Olympic goals. My time as assistant coach has been invaluable and has prepared me well.
My job now is to strengthen and develop the programme to ensure that the positive momentum that has been gathered continues. John did a great job with the team and my appointment ensures that there will be a level of continuity moving forward.
“However, I intend to develop the programme with new ideas and approaches to further strengthen the Football Ferns environment.”
A domestic-based squad is currently training weekly in Auckland in preparation for the Cyprus Cup and Peace Queen Cup. Both are invitational events which New Zealand has attended regularly in the past. Readings’ first opportunity to put the Football Ferns through their paces at home should come at the Oceania Olympic qualifiers which are set for March 2012.
Prior to that, the Junior Football Ferns are in action in January next year at the OFC U-20 Women’s Championship, where they will look to qualify for the World Cup to be held in Uzbekistan in 2012.
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
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