Congratulations to Ricki Herbert, who was made a Life Member of New Zealand Football at the NZF Congress this week. 

Based in Cambridge, Ricki is a former New Zealand footballer and one of the country’s most prominent coaches. As a player, he represented the All Whites at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain and earned 61 international caps.

Main photo: Maia Jackman, outgoing President Johanna Wood, Barbara Cox, and Ricki Herbert (Credit: NZF)

He was the head coach of the All Whites from 2005–2013, including for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where the All Whites went unbeaten in the group stage, drawing with Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay. It remains one of the most notable achievements in New Zealand football history. He is the most capped All Whites Coach, and he was the Helberg Coach of the Year in 2010. 

He coached Wellington Phoenix FC from 2007–2013, and is the most capped Phoenix Coach. 

He remains heavily involved in football. He is the Director of Football for both Hamilton Wanderers and Cambridge FC, and is often involved in delivering coaching courses for New Zealand Football. 

He runs a Football academy, RH3, who partner with clubs throughout the country to deliver additional coaching opportunities for young players aged 4-17. 

Three other former players were also recognised: They are former Football Ferns Dr Michele Cox and Maia Jackman MNZN, and former All White Ryan Nelsen ONZM.

Article added: Saturday 25 April 2026