Congratulations to Northern United's Tarena Ranui who is the WaiBOP regional McDonald's Junior Coach of the Year winner.

Tarena is one of just seven people across the country are now in the running to be named McDonald’s Junior Football Coach of the Year after regional winners were named in each federation.

The popular competition aims to recognise some of the 6,000 coaches who volunteer to spend their weekends coaching local teams and making sure children get active, develop their football skills and, most importantly, have fun.

The regional winners were drawn from nearly 700 nominations across the country, which were encouraged for positive behaviour both on and off the pitch, including supporting players from the touch line, introducing new players to the game and helping out in the local community.

From those seven regional winners, the overall McDonald’s Junior Football Coach of the Year will be found and revealed on Friday 23 August.

A total of 35 regional finalists were earlier named with each receiving a coaching pack while the seven regional Coach of the Year winners will receive a further accessories and apparel kit, as well as a trophy.

The national winner will likewise be presented with all of the above and, best of all, will also receive a trip for two to the United Kingdom to attend an English Premier League match including four nights’ accommodation and spending money.

The overall winner’s prize pack is valued at $10,000 NZD.

McDonald’s Junior Football Coach of the Year regional winners

Northern Football

Keith Lesslie (Birkenhead United)

Auckland Football

Shane Thomas (Waiuku)

WaiBOP Football

Tarena Ranui (Northern United)

Central Football

Belinda Warrington (Palmerston North Marist)

Capital Football

Jonathan Winkworth (Upper Hutt City)

Mainland Football

Chris Hoult (Halswell United)

Football South

Tayla Baldwin (Roslyn Wakari)