© 2023 Christchurch United Football Club
the cufc team
Meet the dedicated team behind the scenes at Christchurch United!
From our coaching staff leading the players on the pitch to the medical and support staff keeping them in top form, and the tireless operations team ensuring everything runs smoothly, these passionate individuals are the beating heart of the club.
Get to know their stories and the expertise they bring to make matchday magic happen.
From our coaching staff leading the players on the pitch to the medical and support staff keeping them in top form, and the tireless operations team ensuring everything runs smoothly, these passionate individuals are the beating heart of the club.
Get to know their stories and the expertise they bring to make matchday magic happen.
management team
SLAVA MEYN
Club President
Ryan edwards
General manager &
men's First Team Head Coach
men's First Team Head Coach
- 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. Also, his reserve team achieved back-to-back promotions during his tenure.
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."
paul holocher
Head of academy and methodologies
- Former US Soccer midfielder, who played professionally both in United State and Europe. Paul was the Academy Director and Director of Formation for two MLS Clubs (San Jose Earthquakes and Houston Dynamo) as well as a 15-Year NCAA college head coach.
- Paul holds a USSF Academy Director’s License, along with the prestigious FFF (French Football Federation) Elite Coaches Formation License.
Paul
"We strive to be the top player development club in the South Island and one of the tops in New Zealand and throughout Oceania. This includes a great commitment to all ages, from our U4-U8 Fun Football programme through our Juniors Programme (U9-U12) and into our Academy, where we aspire to be a positive example of a club playing in an aspirational game model that is geared towards preparing players both technically and cognitively towards the highest international standards."
Jude Fitzpatrick
Academy Manager
- 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 in NZ National League and the Australian National Premier League (NPL).
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."
Avi Prabhakar
Communication & administration manager
Liam HiggIns
MARKETING MANAGER
Travis Graham
U4-U8 PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATOR