Auckland FC adds three All White legends to ownership group

Three former All Whites—Winston Reid, Tim Brown, and Noah Hickey—have joined the ownership group of Auckland FC, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience from their time as top-level players.

With over 580 professional and international appearances between them, the trio is united in their passion for New Zealand football and is committed to helping the club succeed.

About the three owners

Winston Reid

The former All White and captain of West Ham brings vast experience from his time in the Premier League, where he played over 150 games. Born in Auckland, Reid is particularly excited about supporting the club in his hometown.

“Getting involved as an investor with Auckland FC feels like the perfect opportunity for me. I love what the club has to offer, what it represents to Auckland, as well as the coaching and development pathways available to help players achieve their very best,” he said in a statement.

“Becoming a professional football player is one of the hardest things to achieve; it takes more than just talent. I’m humbled by the opportunity to give back some of my own experiences as a professional footballer, to the next generation.”

Tim Brown

Brown is now better known as the co-founder and co-CEO of sustainable footwear brand Allbirds and played over 100 times in the A-League and 30 times for New Zealand. His extensive professional career is complemented by his success in business.

Brown shared his ambitious vision for Auckland FC.

“Considering the number of people locally who are playing it and its global appeal, football is massively under-represented in New Zealand,” he said in a statement. 

“Auckland FC represents an opportunity to change that for the benefit of players as well as the wider NZ football community.

“I’m pleased to be joining an ownership group with such experience and expertise. We have some serious ambitions for this club, and with a world-class network of global investors, I’m confident they can be achieved.”

Noah Hickey

Hickey is another former All White and now serves as CEO of fleet maintenance software company Whip Around and co-founder of the fashion brand Asuwere.

After a professional football career spanning Auckland, Europe, and the All Whites, Hickey has built a successful corporate career.

Reflecting on his involvement with Auckland FC, Noah is confident he can unite the city of Auckland and pathways for future players.

“I’ve played football in Auckland, Europe, and internationally. Being overseas, you really notice the cultural behemoth football is and its ability to bring people from all backgrounds together,” he said via statement. 

“There’s a great opportunity here to do that in Auckland, to unite the city and create better pathways for future players to make it professionally. Having people like Tim and Winston involved is vital to that success, and I’m delighted to join them, Ali, Anna, and Bill and become a part of it.”

The reason behind this move 

The new additions join existing local owners Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray, while American businessman Bill Foley remains the majority owner.

Together, the group is focused on the long-term success of the club and creating clear pathways for young Kiwi talent to reach the professional level.

Auckland FC’s strong corporate foundations are further strengthened by the appointments of Tim Brown and Noah Hickey who have sustained success in the business industry.

Whereas for Winston Reid, the chance to give back to the city where he was born is a significant motivation, and he is determined to help the next generation succeed at the highest level.

Auckland FC CEO, Nick Becker, emphasised the club’s vision and how they plan to tackle the near future.

“All of us at the club, players, staff, and our owners share a clear vision for Auckland FC. We are proud to represent New Zealand’s biggest city, and we are working hard to build a club that has its fans at the core of our decision-making, and we’re investing in genuine talent pathways for young Kiwi boys and girls,” Becker said in the club statement.

“We are incredibly lucky that our owners recognize the growth trajectory that football is on in New Zealand and can see the opportunity that having a professional club in Auckland offers. When I look at the calibre of the ownership team now in place, I’m incredibly confident of what Auckland FC can offer, whether that be fans, players, staff, sponsors, and Auckland at large. This is great news for us, but also great news for the city.”

Conclusion

This move by Auckland FC is brilliant, combining the experience and expertise of three footballing legends to try and propel them up the table as quick as possible in this tough transitional period.

With a myriad of fantastic on-field signings, an experienced coach and now this new ownership group, Auckland FC are very carefully building a solid and sustainable foundation to launch themselves as a top club.

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Australian Championship set to revolutionise domestic football

Football Australia has unveiled the “Australian Championship,” a groundbreaking new competition that promises to reshape the nation’s football landscape.

Officially launching in October 2025, the Championship will serve as a vital bridge between state-based competitions and the Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s system, bringing clubs, players, and communities closer together.

This announcement comes on the heels of the October confirmation of the National Second Tier (NST) format, marking a significant milestone in Australian football.

The Australian Championship will provide a national platform for clubs and players to showcase their talent while fostering stronger connections with fans and communities across the country.

Competition Format and Vision

The Australian Championship will feature 16 teams competing in a dynamic format designed to balance competitive integrity and fan engagement. The competition will include:

Group Stage: Four groups of four teams playing home-and-away fixtures.

Elimination Finals: The top two teams from each group advancing to knockout rounds.

Grand Final: The inaugural champion to be crowned in December 2025.

This structure highlights Football Australia’s ambition to create an inclusive, exciting, and commercially sustainable competition that celebrates the depth of Australian football talent.

Football Australia Chief Executive Officer James Johnson spoke on the importance of this announcement for the future of Australian football.

“The Australian Championship is much more than a competition – it’s a national celebration of football; uniting proud historic clubs, emerging talent, and inter-generational community connection. It reflects the core values of Australian football: authenticity, opportunity, and ambition,” Johnson said in the press release.

“This competition will complement the A-League, NPL, and Hahn Australia Cup, providing a connected, meaningful pathway for players and fans alike. Today’s brand launch is a statement of our commitment to grow domestic football in Australia and unlock its full potential.”

Founding Clubs and National Representation

The competition will include eight Foundation Clubs with storied histories, such as APIA Leichhardt FC (NSW), Avondale FC (VIC), Marconi Stallions FC (NSW), Preston Lions FC (VIC), South Melbourne FC (VIC), Sydney Olympic FC (NSW), Sydney United 58 FC (NSW), and Wollongong Wolves FC (NSW), representing some of the strongest footballing traditions in the country.

Joining them will be eight Member Federation clubs drawn from the National Premier Leagues (NPL) across all states and territories.

This model ensures representation from every corner of the national football community, giving grassroots and state-level clubs an opportunity to compete on a larger stage.

Core Pillars of the Australian Championship

The Australian Championship aims to unite Australian football under the following key values:

Authenticity: Honouring historic clubs, iconic venues, and long-standing rivalries.

Discovery: Showcasing emerging talent and rising stars from across the nation.

Connection: Strengthening ties between grassroots, state competitions, and professional pathways.

Pride and Belonging: Celebrating football’s ability to bring players, fans, and communities together.

A New Era for Australian Football

With its launch, the Australian Championship is set to redefine the country’s domestic football ecosystem, creating new opportunities for players, clubs, and fans. Football Australia’s initiative reflects a commitment to building a thriving national competition while staying true to the rich heritage and passion that underpin Australian football.

As October 2025 approaches, anticipation will only grow for what promises to be a transformative moment in the nation’s sporting history.

UEFA and Unilever renew partnership

UEFA has embraced Unilever as an Official Global Partner of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, kicking off in Switzerland on July 2 until July 27, 2025.

Unilever’s deal with UEFA builds off of their 2024 partnership and will see a wide array of Unilever’s Foods and Personal Care brands ignite their own integrated advertising campaigns to connect with fans and consumers in and out of the stadium, including household names like Dove, Rexona, Knorr and Hellmann’s.

UEFA marketing director, Guy-Laurent Epstein expressed UEFA’s excitement to work with Unilever again.

“Building on the success of our collaboration last summer, we are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Unilever for UEFA Women’s EURO 2025,” he said in a press release.

The support and interest in women’s football is on a sharp upward trajectory, and with Unilever’s portfolio of Food and Personal Care brands reaching billions of people every day, we look forward to celebrating the power of the game and bringing excitement to fans everywhere.”

General Manager of Unilever Foods Europe, Robbert de Vreede conveyed his enthusiasm for Unilever’s involvement in the upcoming Women’s EURO 2025.

“We are thrilled to partner with the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, enabling our Foods brands to connect with a large audience who come together enjoying the thrill of a football match with friends whilst sharing delicious foods,” he said in a UEFA press release.

“Just as a great BBQ brings people closer, football unites fans in a shared experience of passion and camaraderie. In this partnership we will create memorable moments that highlight the best of summer – good food, great company, and beautiful games.”

General Manager of Unilever Personal Care Europe, Fulvio Guarneri detailed why the collaboration between UEFA and Unilever was a perfect fit.

“This is an exciting opportunity for some of our biggest brands to tap into a big cultural moment and connect with millions of consumers who will be watching the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025,” he said via press release.

“It’s a great time for women’s football and this partnership fits perfectly with our Personal Care products which are all about feeling clean and confident, and taking part in sports. Together with our retail partners, we look forward to building on the success of last year’s men’s tournament, delivering unmissable campaigns across a variety of channels that celebrate the power of women’s football.”

Unilever joins an exciting list of brands for the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 tournament, including household names such as adidas, Amazon, AXA, Booking.com, EA, Euronics, Grifols, Heineken, Hublot, Just Eat Takeaway.com, Lay’s, Lidl, PlayStation and Visa.

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