BAZEball - The Darren Bazeley Era

Hanging out with Bellyache.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/07/21/national-team-coaches-to-see-inner-workings-of-top-australian-sports-clubs/

Members of New Zealand’s national coaching staff will spend three days in Melbourne gaining insights from three of Australia’s most successful sports organisations.

Supported by Oceania Football Confederation, the high-performance study visit will provide access to the inner workings of NRL club Melbourne Storm, and AFC clubs Essendon Bombers and Richmond Tigers.

Visiting staff include All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley, assistant coach Tony Readings, Football Ferns head coach Michael Mayne and men’s and women’s U-17 head coaches Martin Bullock and Alana Gunn.

OFC, a high-performance consultant Dave Wright will lead the trip (July 21-23) and facilitate on behalf of OFC.

Nothing about Essendon footy club right now is high performance… 

coochiee

Hanging out with Bellyache.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/07/21/national-team-coaches-to-see-inner-workings-of-top-australian-sports-clubs/

Members of New Zealand’s national coaching staff will spend three days in Melbourne gaining insights from three of Australia’s most successful sports organisations.

Supported by Oceania Football Confederation, the high-performance study visit will provide access to the inner workings of NRL club Melbourne Storm, and AFC clubs Essendon Bombers and Richmond Tigers.

Visiting staff include All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley, assistant coach Tony Readings, Football Ferns head coach Michael Mayne and men’s and women’s U-17 head coaches Martin Bullock and Alana Gunn.

OFC, a high-performance consultant Dave Wright will lead the trip (July 21-23) and facilitate on behalf of OFC.

It’s nothing more then a jolly for the boys and Alana. Baze and Readings have surely experienced better in the UK, Europe and North America.

Bellamy is a bit of a coaching legend in our part of the world. The Storm have been consistent NRL contenders nearly every year he's been there, and I'm sure their salary infraction days are well over. Lots of different sporting coaches have called into the Storm over the years for a looksee, and maybe a nugget or two.

RR posted this elsewhere, but good to see Baze has been upschooling himself between FIFA windows.

Figueira with his shiny new Pro Licence. Assistant role at the Nix with Greeny?
He'll likely become the NZ U19/20s coach if he stays in NZ. Was Greenacre's assistant with the U20s.

Paul Temple on that coaching course as well?

Proud to have completed the @OFCfootball Professional Coaching Diploma (Pro Licence)

Two years of challenge, reflection and growth alongside outstanding people.

Grateful to course partners @NZ_Football @HPSportNZ & my family for the support.

On to the next challenge. 🧠⚽️⚡️ pic.twitter.com/csWivLbMIG

— José Manuel Figueira (@JoseCoaching) February 24, 2026