Northern Region Football will have a new Chair, with long serving Board member Gina Mills standing down, to be replaced by David Williams. 

Gina has served on our Board since 2018 and was appointed Chair in 2023, overseeing steady growth in participation numbers, and many new opportunities to be involved in football. 

“Having played since I was a child, enjoying many great experiences and developing life skills on the football field, I wanted to find a way to be involved when injuries started to take their toll. That's when I looked into governance to give something back to the game,” said Gina Mills. 

“I'm most proud of our commitment to developing opportunities for girls and women at all facets of the game. When I was growing up, girls didn't have many opportunities to play or be involved in organised football, and I wanted to play a part in changing that. I'll never forget the experience of having a FIFA Women's World Cup in our back yard, inspiring the next generation of footballers and seeing the legacy of that flow through onto the grassroots pitches at the weekends. Just brilliant!”

“I'd like to thank my fellow board members for their diligence and dedication to NRF. And also huge thanks to Laura Menzies for her inspirational leadership of the team that delivers outstanding results to our footballing community week-in week-out,” said Gina Mills.  

Incoming Chair David Williams is well known to NRF whānau, having been involved in football 20 years and counting, including four as Birkenhead United Chair. David was elected to the NRF Board in May 2024.

“I’m really passionate about football’s role in the community, I truly believe it can enable people to live their best lives,” said David Williams.

“I feel like I’m standing on the shoulders of giants! I’m proud to be appointed Chair and carry on the great work started by the Gina, the Board, leadership and team. Our game has benefitted from very stable and competent NRF leadership – I’m excited to bring a club background and experience to the role, and look forward to playing my part.” 

NRF CEO Laura Menzies said “There’s no doubt Gina leaves our game in a better place than she found it.” 

“On behalf of the NRF team and club community, I want to wholeheartedly thank Gina for her leadership and support in her time on our Board and as Chair.”  

“Gina was instrumental in the merger between NFF and AFF and made a significant contribution leading our Audit and Risk committee and bringing Governance expertise to the Board.  There is a significant amount of time and energy that goes into chairing an organisation of NRF’s size and Gina has shown vision and determination in leading our Board. We all welcome David as Chair, and look forward to supporting him in this new role.

”David Williams’ appointment as Chair will begin December 2025.

Article added: Wednesday 22 October 2025