Iain Walker

Football Development & Operations Manager | iain@southlandfootball.org.nz | 021 613 674

Role: Iain looks after the business functions of Football in Southland and is responsible for development of the game in the region, working closely with his team based in Invercargill and wider team in Southern Football.

Highlight: Lots of great times playing amateur football in Scotland, the pick of which was playing in a National Cup Final at Hampden Park in Glasgow in 1998.

What we love about the game: The lifelong friendships that I have made from the game both overseas, and in NZ. Being part of a team, training and working towards what we want to achieve.

Current involvement: Mostly refereeing and managing Southland Football. I'm coaching the Southland United Under 17 boys this year and looking forward to that trip at the end of the year. It's great to see some amazing growth in our sport whch comes down to some strategy but mainly what our amazing volunteers deliver.

Ryan Gardiner

Football Development Officer | ryan@southlandfootball.org.nz | 027 920 9929

Role: Ryan looks after football development across Southland, including junior competitions, summer football and futsal.

Highlight: Playing against the Glasgow Rangers Academy and training at their training ground in Scotland.

What we love about the game: The friendships that I have made from the game all over NZ and overseas.

Current involvement: Playing for Old Boys AFC and look forward to interacting with all our clubs during the year.​​​​​​​

Olivia Hooper

Girls and Women's Development Officer | olivia@southlandfootball.org.nz | 021 480 333

Role: Olivia looks after football development across the Southland region, with a focus on the girls and women's space, senior competitions, summer football.

Highlight: Beating the Fiji Women's National team in a friendly while playing for the Māori Women's National team in 2025 and winning the Gold Coast Futsal International competition with Four Zero's Women's team in 2024.

What we love about the game: The special moments you can experience and create for other people by being part of a group working towards a shared goal.

Current involvement: Captaining the Canterbury United Pride in the Dettol Women's National League and coaching the U17 Canterbury United Futsal Pride ahead of the Youth Futsal Championships later this year. I am also excited to be moving further South in the new year and getting to meet everyone with a passion for the game.