© 2023 Christchurch United Football Club
Our Coaching Team
Our coaches are the foundation of the club's success. Attracting qualified coaches is a crucial part of Christchurch United's strategy.
To provide high quality coaching, all of our coaches are required to commit to continuous personal development by learning from our local and international partners, which include:
TOVO Academy Barcelona (educated both locally and in Barcelona) | MBP school of coaches (Barcelona) | Mainland Football (Junior, Youth Courses) | New Zealand Football (Advanced Courses) | Internal courses | Experts from around the world | Fit4Football | Double Pass (Belgium)
To provide high quality coaching, all of our coaches are required to commit to continuous personal development by learning from our local and international partners, which include:
TOVO Academy Barcelona (educated both locally and in Barcelona) | MBP school of coaches (Barcelona) | Mainland Football (Junior, Youth Courses) | New Zealand Football (Advanced Courses) | Internal courses | Experts from around the world | Fit4Football | Double Pass (Belgium)
Paul Ifill
mens First Team Head Coach
director of football
director of football
- Paul began his playing career in 1997 at Saltdean United in Brighton & Hove, England.
- Before he arrived at Christchurch United, Paul's coaching history includes the Samoan women's national team and Wairarapa United, as well as an assistant coach for Tasman United and Hawkes Bay United.
- Paul has played over 340 combined matches in the top English football leagues, with stints at Millwall, Sheffield United, and Crystal Palace.
- He then joined the Wellington Phoenix in 2009, and netted 33 goals in 106 appearances for the club.
- As an international, Paul represented Barbados from 2004 - 2008. In 2006, he scored 6 goals in 6 games to ensure Barbados' qualification for the Gold Cup.
- Paul played as a forward during his career, mostly as a right midfielder / winger and center forward.
Paul
"When you see these facilities and you hear Slava's passion and vision, it is hard not to be impressed. I think Christchurch United is the sleeping giant of New Zealand football."
Ekow Quainoo
Mens First Team Assistant Coach
Daniel Godden
Mens First Team Assistant Coach
Tony Gumley
Womens First Team Head Coach
paul holocher
U20 academy head coach
Danil Kornilov
U17 academy head coach
- Degree in Physical Education and Sports Teacher
- NZF Junior level 3 license
- NZF Youth level 2 license
- NZF Senior C license
- TOVO 7 A-Side Online Coaching Course
- TOVO V1 Course: TOVO Methodology
- MBP Scouting and Game Analysis Specialist
- Johan Cruyff Institute - Football Business Fundamentals
- 7 years coach experience
- Played as a center-back
- Apart from watching football, Danil enjoys watching ice-hockey. He supports Tampa Bay Lightning.
Danil
"I started coaching when I was 17. I was playing and helping the head coach as his assistant. I enjoyed it. I learnt new things and could share my knowledge with others, so it was an easy decision to get a coaching degree at university."
Davend Henry
U17 academy Assistant Coach
- Graduate of the TOVO T1 & T2 coaching course in Barcelona.
Davend is without question one of the most dedicated individuals within Christchurch United Football Club. From coaching our young Academy players, to volunteering on the weekends with the club BBQ and helping on Senior match days — Davend is instrumental for Christchurch United Football Club running smoothly.
You'll often find Davend doing extra work with his talented sons once other training sessions have finished.
Jude Fitzpatrick
academy manager
U15 Academy Head Coach
U15 Academy Head Coach
- Bachelor of science in sport and exercise science
- Graduate diploma in teaching and education
- NZF Senior C license
- NZF Youth level 2 license
- TOVO 7 A-Side Online Coaching Course
- TOVO T1 and T2 coaching course in Barcelona
- 11 years coaching experience
- Played as a center back
Jude
"I decided to become a coach because I didn't have a coach giving me the environment that I enjoyed anymore. Becoming a coach allowed me to create an environment that I felt was better for both player development and fun."
Lew Gordon
U14 academy head coach
Head of Goalkeeper Program
Head of Goalkeeper Program
- Degree in Sports Coaching of Canterbury University
- Masters Of Teaching & Learning (With Distinction)
- NZF Junior Level 3 License
- Youth Level 2 License
- NZF Goalkeeper Level 1
- TOVO T1 & T2 coaching course
- 7 years coach experience
- Played as a goalkeeper
- His hobbies are board games
Lew
"I'm happy that I'm able to have a positive impact on kids lives, and keep their passion for football going and growing, whilst developing other areas and becoming a better person."
James Malthus
U13 Academy head coach
Eoghan Stokes
Academy Assistant Coach
Eoghan has previously coached at current English Premiership club Leeds United with their U11s academy team and has gathered many years of coaching experience since.
Aaron O'Driscoll
Academy Assistant Coach
Aaron has been coaching for over 5 years at various clubs in the UK including Premier League clubs Manchester City and Southampton, along with Mansfield Town and holds a UEFA C licence.
Aaron
"Ive coached and experienced some top class academies and im hoping to share those experiences with the boys and girls and help out as much as I can at Christchurch United Football Club"
Ash Fitzpatrick
U12 Pre-Academy head coach
U14 Academy Assistant Coach
U14 Academy Assistant Coach
Marli Pradhan
U11 Pre-Academy Head Coach
Zach Bennett
U10 Pre-Academy Head Coach
U13 Academy Assistant Coach
U13 Academy Assistant Coach
- NZF Youth level 2
- Zach played football for Christchurch united for 7 years being able to represent his region and club at the highest level possible.
Zach
"Christchurch United is an awesome club to be a part of. It is the home of so many ambitious players and coaches, who continue to strive to improve the skills and understanding of football, but most importantly become better people as well"
Tony Harvey - Junior Program Coordinator
Also known as "coach Tony" to the playing staff, Tony Harvey has been coaching since 1971 after suffering from his own footballing injuries. He gained his senior New Zealand coaching badge in 1975. He started coaching with Christchurch City in 1971 and moved from there to Christchurch United.
Tony coached at a high senior level with greats of the game Terry Conley & Terry Mann from 1972/73. He moved to Western AFC in 1977 and coached them to a Southern League Championship. He was also a Canterbury Regional coach in the 80's where he worked alongside junior talent.
He also coached at St Andrews College for 23 years and worked 25 years with Sport Canterbury until retirement. He re-joined the Christchurch Football Centre and Christchurch United in 2014 — coaching at ALL junior levels for the club. He is currently the program coordinator, and dedicates his spare time too assisting our other junior teams.
Tony coached at a high senior level with greats of the game Terry Conley & Terry Mann from 1972/73. He moved to Western AFC in 1977 and coached them to a Southern League Championship. He was also a Canterbury Regional coach in the 80's where he worked alongside junior talent.
He also coached at St Andrews College for 23 years and worked 25 years with Sport Canterbury until retirement. He re-joined the Christchurch Football Centre and Christchurch United in 2014 — coaching at ALL junior levels for the club. He is currently the program coordinator, and dedicates his spare time too assisting our other junior teams.
Tony Harvey - Program Coordinator
Also known as "coach Tony" to the playing staff, Tony Harvey has been coaching since 1971 after suffering from his own footballing injuries
Tom Kean
U4 - U8 Program Coordinator
Sarah Mann
Juniors Program (U9 - U12) Support Coach
Matt Duncan
Juniors Program (U9 - U12) Support Coach
Marat Nurpeisov
U4 - U8 Support Coach