WaiBOP Football Federation is governed by a Board of Directors, with three positions being elected by the Federation’s Members, while another four positions are appointed by an independent selection committee. The Board positions are for three year terms.

Depending upon the skill sets required, co-opted positions can also be introduced for two year terms.

The current WaiBOP Football Board of Directors are:

MARK BROWNING (CHAIR) (ELECTED)

Mark is employed by Tetra Pak (New Zealand) Limited in a role which has multiple cross functional requirements, including Sales and Marketing, Manufacturing, Logistics and Technical Services. He has a tertiary qualification from the Waikato University in Management. He utilises his skills to collaborate across multiple sector and industry groups and has the commercial acumen to secure value-added agreements and strengthen the relationships these agreements create. 

Mark has been involved in football for most of his life either as a player, coach (both at junior and senior level) or as a club administrator. Mark played Northern League football for Hamilton Wanderers and represented Waikato at age group level. During his 26 years at Hamilton Wanderers he was a member of the Management Committee for 10 years and Club President for 3 years thus understands the challenge’s clubs face on a day-to-day basis.

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LEON JOHNSON (APPOINTED)

Kia ora koutou,

Ko Hikurangi te maunga,
Ko Waiapu te Awa,
Ko Horouta te waka,
Ko Ngati Porou te iwi.

Ko Claudelands Rovers te rōpū whutupaoro.

Ko Leon Johnson toku ingoa.

Leon reckons he has been an average footballer for the majority of his life, having played his entire senior career at Claudelands Rovers. He's a proud father of two amazing girls, Addison-Mclean and Quinn. Both are keen footballers and, according to their dad, have surpassed him in terms of skills and talent already!

"Helping to make football in the region as rewarding for them (and the generations to come) as it has been for me is something I am keen to be a part of," says Leon. "I bring a strong understanding of the commercial world and a wide range of business experience honed from over 20 years in the commercial property sector where I have dealt with government agencies to corporates, charities and churches to mums and dads.

"I'm looking forward to adding value to the governance team and putting my shoulder to the wheel when required."

ROB JOHNSON (ELECTED)                                  

Rob has dedicated his life to football, showcasing his skills at various levels throughout the years. Rob is supported by his wonderful wife, Kelly, and they are proud parents to three amazing children: Leighton, Logan, and Brooklyn. Their unwavering support and love fuel his enduring passion for the sport, allowing him to continue contributing to the sporting community.

Rob will bring valuable expertise to the WaiBOP Football Federation Board. With a robust background in strategic planning and community engagement, Rob has overseen multifaceted operations, led successful acquisitions, and implemented strategic initiatives that have driven growth and efficiency.

Currently serving as President of Northern United Sports Club, Rob has demonstrated a deep commitment to grassroots sports, understanding its dynamics and the critical role of community engagement. His involvement in playing, coaching, managing teams, and serving on the club committee has provided him with valuable insights into grassroots sports and community dynamics.

A unique aspect of Rob's candidacy is his intention to remain as President of Northern United Sports Club. He firmly believes that maintaining this grassroots connection will enhance his effectiveness in contributing to the board's strategic direction and decision-making processes.

Rob is particularly eager to leverage his experience to drive positive change and growth within the Federation.

DONNA MCCUTCHEON (ELECTED)                                  

Donna has 40 years experience in football, including playing at many different levels, coaching and managing kids teams, and various roles on club committees.

She worked for as Volunteer Co-Ordinator during the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023. She says: “Working for FIFA opened my eyes to just how popular women’s football is around the world and how professional it is on the world stage. I hope to help take the learnings from being a host country and put in place meaningful programmes that gain and retain players.”

This year her focus has been on growing participation in the women’s space, and she used her networks to not only recruit players for her own club, but for other teams in the area. In 2024, we have seen the introduction of a third Waikato Women’s division, showing that the efforts to grow women’s football at a grassroots level can work.

Outside of football, Donna and her husband run their own project management-focused business, requiring communication with many different stakeholders from lawyers to cleaners.

She is married with two kids who dabbled in football as youngsters and have come back to the sport as older kids and are really enjoying it.

Donna says: “Football is a sport I am extremely passionate about and I truly believe it has changed my life for the better. I have made life-long friends who still get together and kick a ball about either on weekends in local leagues or at one of the masters tournaments on offer around NZ.”

ABDUL GIBRAAN (CO-OPTED)    

Abdul Gibraan is a dedicated football advocate and experienced leader with a strong track record in governance, strategic planning, and community engagement. He has over a decade of involvement in football coaching youth and women’s teams across various clubs. His hands-on coaching experience gives him a deep understanding of grassroots challenges and pathways for growth.

Beyond the pitch, Abdul brings board-level expertise as a Trustee for Hamilton Multicultural Services Trust. His experience in Governance and Procurement equips him to contribute to robust decision-making and sustainable development within football organisations. Currently serving as a Procurement Manager for Waikato District Council, Abdul oversees the planning and sourcing activities of major projects within Council demonstrating strong leadership, risk management, and stakeholder engagement skills. Passionate about leveraging football as a tool for community building he is committed to driving participation, diversity, and long-term growth in the game.

Fluent in English and Fiji Hindi, Abdul offers a unique perspective and proven ability to connect with diverse communities.

DANIEL HARRISON (APPOINTED)    

Daniel has been involved in football from as early as he can remember. Playing continuously through to the present day, he has also been known to coach, on occasion. A passionate advocate for football, Daniel is committed to supporting and developing football across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty so that everyone, regardless of age, ability, or background has the opportunity to experience the game.

Currently based in Cambridge, Daniel is the Head of Animal Care for SPCA New Zealand, overseeing national centres, the inspectorate, and legal teams across the country. He brings extensive senior leadership and governance experience from both the public and private sectors, including health, community, sporting and not-for-profit organisations.

Daniel has held previous national governance roles with CanTeen New Zealand, contributing to strategic direction and member advocacy, and also served on the Academic Board and Faculty of Education Board at the University of Waikato.

Daniel is familiar with regional sports organisations, having previously managed the Community Sport team at Sport Bay of Plenty, working closely with regional and national sporting organisations to grow participation and strengthen community pathways, including WaiBOP Football. 

He holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences double majoring Psychology & Sport and Leisure Studies from the University of Waikato and postgraduate qualifications in Sport Business and Integrity from Victoria University in Melbourne. His professional and academic background in sport, governance, and integrity complement his lifelong connection to football and his dedication to seeing the game thrive across the region.

JANE WIMSETT (APPOINTED)    

Jane Wimsett has been involved, and served in governance roles, with sporting organisations for the past 20 years. She served as President and Secretary of Rangatira Alpine Sports Club for eight years and is currently the Secretary for Whangamata Croquet Club.

Jane’s corporate career spans over 30 years in executive recruitment, some of this as a shareholder/director. She holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in HR Management and has partnered with some of New Zealand’s blue-chip organisations (publicly listed and privately owned) across financial services, as well as private and public healthcare, manufacturing, and transport/logistics. She has also partnered with a number of not-for-profit organisations at a regional and national level.

While new to football. Jane has a lifelong passion for sport both participating and as a parent from the side-line. She has a strong appetite to make a real difference in sport at a recreational level in our region.

Based in Whangamata, Jane is looking forward to growing our sport across the region.

PRESIDENT – DERYCK SHAW

Deryck Shaw has been a committed leader in the football community for decades. He served as president of Rotorua United before joining the WaiBOP Football board in 2009, contributing to the development of football across the region. In 2014, he was appointed to New Zealand Football’s executive committee and was elected President in 2015, a role he held until 2018.

Based in Rotorua, Deryck’s leadership extends well beyond the pitch. 

Deryck has had more than 30 years governance involvement in education, health and disabilities, tourism and sports, social services and recreation sectors and nearly 40 years as a business owner.

He has held governance roles across a range of sectors, including chairing the Lakes District Health Board, and has contributed to local and national initiatives that support health, sport and community outcomes.