© 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)
Ryan edwards
mens First Team Head Coach
director of football
director of football
- Before joining Christchurch United, Ryan held roles as the Head Coach and Director of Football at Petone FC, preceded by his position as a professional Academy Head Coach at Wellington Phoenix.
- At Petone, his team flew up the table from 9th place in Central League to the clubs first ever promotion to National League in 2023.
- His reserve team achieved back-to-back promotions, the women's team finished in the Top 3 of Central league, and in consecutive seasons the club achieved a semi-final and final finish in the main draw of the U19's National tournament.
- Ryan has a strong reputation for excellence and a keen eye for youth talent development. His Petone side were the youngest club side in Central League and National League in 2023.
RYAN
"It's great to be coming into this proud football club. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work at a club with such a strong history and reputation in the game. I am excited by the clubs vision to lead football development in the region as well as create pathways for young players to achieve their dreams."
Jamie Forsyth
Mens First Team Assistant Coach
paul holocher
U20 academy head coach
Jude Fitzpatrick
academy manager
U17 Academy Head Coach
U17 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
U15 academy head coach
U9 Pre-Academy Head coach
U9 Pre-Academy Head coach
- 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
U14 Academy head coach
U12 Pre-Academy Head Coach
U12 Pre-Academy Head Coach
Ash Fitzpatrick
U13 Academy head coach
Zach Bennett
U11 Pre-academy Head Coach
U4-U8 Coach
U4-U8 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.
Adam Huskic
U10 Pre-academy Head Coach
Jakub Hosnedl
Academy Skills Coach
Connor Caswell
Club Goalkeeping Coach
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
Andre Richards
U4 - U8 Program Coordinator
Harvey Davies
U4-U8 Coach
Liam HiggIns
U4-U8 Coach