Northern Region Football inducted five life members at its Annual General Meeting at Māngere United on Monday evening, recognising their significant contributions to football from Northland to South Auckland. 

“We were delighted to receive these fantastic nominations representing various aspects of our game, from coaching and refereeing to club and federation administration. Football doesn’t just happen, it’s thanks to the dedication and passion of the volunteers who play important roles on and off the field and it’s a real pleasure to acknowledge and celebrate our newest life members,” said Gina Mills, NRF Chair.

Brad Flower, Martin Baucutt, Pamela Luhrs, Trevor Bradford and Andrea Nelson NZOM have contributed in club, federation and refereeing leadership, and join a long list of NRF life and honourary members who’ve made a difference to football.  
 

Learn more about NRF’s newest life members: 
 

Brad Flower - nominated by Chas Flower, Kamo Soccer Club

Brad has been a massive part of Northland's Football Community for over forty years. He joined Kamo’s Board in 1987 and has been a member ever since. Brad was the Northland Judicial Committee conveyor and panellist from 2002 to 2007. He played a big part in setting up what's now Northland FC in 2003 and was a Board Member of North Force until 2012.

Brad was a Trustee of the Northland Development Trust from 2004 and became the Trust's chair in 2023 to help wind it up - he was on the United Soccer One Board in 2007 and 8. Our football community and of Northland Football is better for Brad's leadership.

Martin Baucutt - nominated by Cheryl Derrick, Papakura City

Martin has contributed to football as a referee, referee assessor and fixtures manager. After hanging up his whistle, he helped coach a new generation of referees for AFF from 2006 until 2020. 

In 2019, Martin received the Paul Smith Cup, along with a 35 year service award. Martin served as Fixtures and Competitions Manager for the Franklin / Counties Manukau, with Federation 2, and AFF from 1994 through until 2017. 

Pamela Luhrs - nominated by Hans Anema, Papatoetoe FC

Pamela first became involved with Papatoetoe AFC when she joined as a player in 1987, and was elected secretary in November 1993 - a position she still holds today as well as becoming Treasurer in 2003. She was a member of the Women’s Action Group when the Federation came into being.

Pamela has managed a number of women's teams and takes care of a myriad of jobs including running the canteen, looking after gear, managing the bar, preparing the programme, running the summer 7-aside tournament, and co-ordinating juniors. She is indispensable to the club's smooth running and was honoured as Papatoetoe life member in 2003. 

Trevor Bradford - nominated by Ashley Wilson, NRF Referee Advisory Committee Chair 

Trevor became a member of AFF Referees in 1984 and retired from active refereeing in 2019 - a total of 35 years service as an active referee. He became an assessor in March 2003 and to this day supports NRF Referees, with a focus on youth referees.

Trevor was an AFF Referee Committee member between 2001 and 2007, and again between 2011 and 2012, serving as Vice Chair in 2006 and 7. Trevor was a founding Trustee of the Victoria Park Sports and Cultural Trust and advocates strongly for the interests of the NRF Referees. He was he was awarded a Long Service Medal in 2014 for his significant contribution to AFF referees.

Andrea Nelson MNZM - nominated by Gina Mills on behalf of the NRF Board

Andrea first contributed to football governance with Auckland Football Federation and helped lead the merger with NFF merger to form Northern Region Football. 

In her time as Chair she lead NRF through the pandemic, helped design our strategy we work to today and helped ensure we take the FIFA women's world cup opportunity and create a legacy for years to come. Andrea's experience as a sports administrator, including serving as CEO of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in 2022 has benefitted NRF immensely. 

She stood down as NRF's first chair in late 2023, having made a huge contribution to our game. NRF also acknowledges Andrea as our outgoing Chair. 

See the full list of NRF life and honourary members

Article added: Tuesday 28 May 2024