Welcome to the Centre Circle Football Charity Organisation
The Centre Circle (CC) was founded in 1999 by a group of football people wanting to give back to the “beautiful game” that gave them so much. The organisation is focused on raising funds through social events and grants and utilising those funds to assist those in the Canterbury football community.
Centre Circle thanks Martin Field Dodgson and his team for enabling us to set up our page on the Mainland Football Foundation website. This allows us to profile our organisation, particularly the clubs that are the heart of football in Canterbury. Our aim is to gain further support for our charity, including for our annual Golf Events and our Quiz Nights.
We are guided by Centre Circle’s constitution and have a particular emphasis on funding assistance for juniors, including individuals, and for aspirational projects. Our programme is called “A Helping Hand”. There is a digital application form on our page for clubs to apply for assistance. Centre Circle’s board puts aside an annual budget for this purpose and considers applications carefully. Other funding opportunities that fit within our principles are also considered. We acknowledge that there are other funding trusts out there such as “Scorching Goal Fund” and Football for All” that are set up to help the clubs.
With the assistance of the Mainland team, our page has additional information about us, and our fundraising events and provides a membership form.
Finally, as chair of Centre Circle - a big thank you to those businesses, clubs and our CC members who have supported our past events. The board appreciates both the time, goods and funding given in assisting our charity.
Click the links below to download a complete Helping Hand Funding Form and Centre Circle Membership Form.
Date: Friday 17 April 2026
Time: 6:30pm – 10:30pm
Venue: Camelot Room, Chateau on the Park, 189 Deans Avenue
Early Bird Tickets: $150 per person (Includes three-course meal and drinks*)
Seating: Tables of 10
Capacity: Limited to 180 guests.
Get in quick to secure your tickets. This is the only event of its kind in New Zealand, celebrating the All Whites’ qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside the enduring legacy of the 1982 and 2010 teams. All proceeds will support football in our community — from youth development initiatives to hardship assistance.
We would love you to join us for this unforgettable evening.
Post-Event Match (Optional):
Saturday 18 April — A-League match
Wellington Phoenix FC vs Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Apollo Projects Stadium
In partnership with Event Sponsor - John Jones Steel, Centre Circle Canterbury is delighted to invite you to a very special celebration of New Zealand’s FIFA World Cup football journey — past, present, and future.
This will be a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, marking the only time all three FIFA Men’s World Cup managers will be together in the same room. We are also honoured to welcome two outstanding figures from the women’s game: Annalie Longo and Alana Gunn.
On Friday 17 April 2026, we will host the World Cup Dinner in the Camelot Room at Chateau on the Park, bringing together football legends, supporters, and friends for an evening of stories, reflection, and celebration.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Special Guests & Legends
John Adshead – 1982 All Whites Manager
Ricki Herbert – 1982 Player & 2010 All Whites Manager
Darren Bazeley – Current All Whites Manager
Brian Turner – 1982 Player & Assistant Manager 2010
Steve Wooddin – 1982
Bobby Almond – 1982
Ben Sigmund – 2010
Aaron Clapham – 2010
Annalie Longo – Player 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019 ,2023
Alana Gunn – NZ Women U17 Coach 2024, 2025
Video messages from Ryan Nelsen and others from the 1982, 2010 and 2026 campaigns
MC: Miles Davis
Video and photo montages celebrating New Zealand’s World Cup history
Our World Cup stars — in their own words
Live and silent auctions featuring World Cup and sporting memorabilia
Born in London 1952
Emigrated to NZ in 1973
Involved with Football in Playing, Administration and Coaching capacity from 1973 to 2004.
Founder member of Centre Circle in 1999
Board Member for 12 years.
Current Occupation: Customer Service Representative
Previous Business Career: Business Manager for Caltex NZ Ltd for 25 years
Favourite Team: Manchester United and soft spot for Millwall
Reason for Joining: Absolutely the right thing to do, given what football has done for me.
Born in Aberdeen came to NZ when I was a wee bairn.
Grew up on the North Shore then varsity in Dunedin doing Phys Ed played for Dunedin City before moving to Christchurch where I joined Western and then Christchurch United then to Rangers AFC.
First game for Canterbury at English Park in 1985 against the All Whites playing up front with Kevin (0 – 0 ), played The All Whites again later in the year this time back in goal for a 1 -1 draw.
Last game for Canterbury against Otago in 2003 and have been involved ever since as goalkeeping coach.
In and out of the All Whites from 1986 – 1996 last game in 1995 v Paraguay (2 – 3 ) at the national stadium in Santiago, Chile.
Married to Helen with Ben, Georgia and Lucy, three wonderfully sporty grown up kids.
Occupation: Taught Phys Ed at Mairehau High School then Sales Rep for Lion Breweries for 16 years before buying into O’Shea’s Public House where I am the publican.
Reason for Joining: I have been on the Centre Circle since it’s reconception, it is great fun with a great bunch of people doing good things to help out our football community.
Grew up in Rotorua (1st club Rotorua City), then moved to Christchurch to study.
Played Club football for UC Football, Woolston and Rangers plus that briefly resurrected National League team in the mid/late 90's.
Been away from Football for a few years (decades) but now keen to get back involved - my body is far too fragile to play!
Lifelong Tottenham sufferer (COYS!)
Born in Dunedin 1967.
Played junior football for Dunedin City, senior football for Dunedin Technical AFC, Burnside AFC, Napier City Rovers and currently playing masters for FC TWENTY 11.
Have been involved in some capacity as a volunteer, coach, committee member and administrator throughout.
Favourite EPL team: Liverpool.
Favourite A-League team: Wellington Phoenix.
Reason for Joining: I am motivated to help more young people engage in football.
Born in Northland 1964
Has been involved in some capacity as a volunteer, committee member, consultant and administrator throughout
Favourite EPL team: West Ham Utd
Favourite A-League team: Wellington Phoenix
Reason for Joining: I am motivated to give back to football after it has given me so much.
Born in Christchurch in 1953.
Played Hockey in my younger days and represented Canterbury at a senior level.
Became involved in football when my boys started playing and have been involved in some capacity as a volunteer, player, committee member and administrator for a number of clubs.
Played my final game at age 60.
Favourite EPL team: Arsenal
Favourite A- League team: Wellington Phoenix
Reason for Joining: To give back to a game that has given my whole family so much.
Born in Bradford UK
Came to NZ in 1985 to play for Christchurch United
Emigrated to NZ 1986
Occupation: Logistics manager
Favourite Team: None in particular but always a soft spot for Bradford City
Reason for Joining: Love football, good cause, and a great way of keeping in touch with football mates.
Born in Fairlie, grew up in Dunedin
Occupation: 28 years in HR management in Christchurch & Auckland
2013-2024 – alcohol licensing committee & Commissioner for Selwyn, Ashburton & Kaikoura. Ministry of Justice advisory group for update of sale/supply alcohol Act 2022-2024
2015-2019 Christchurch District Court Bail team, JP since 1989
Raised with rugby, interest in football began with my 2 sons & their dad at Halswell United
CFA President in 1995-6, put in place board/CEO structure
Life member CFA/Mainland Football
Joined NZ Football board 2013 - headed NZF Womens’ Committee, head of delegation to WWC 2015 in Canada, NZF rep U20 WC games/final in 2015, delegate to FIFA Congress in Mexico City, achieved naming of NZF Womens’ Knockout Cup – as the Kate Sheppard Cup.
Reason for Joining: Learned of Centre Circle through Steve Sumner. Raising funds to benefit junior football particularly is part of my giving back to football.
Born in Christchurch 1969.
Rangers junior.
Played senior Football at Technical before moving to Melbourne.
Returned to Football playing Masters for O'Shea's 11 and have now joined the Coastal Spirit Board.
Married to Karyn with two daughters Jacqueline and Caitlin.
Occupation: GM Canterbury Basketball.
Favourite Team: Newcastle.
Reason for joining: Bobby & Stroudy and our joint love of Football.