Thank You to Aliesha Staples and Craig Wheatley

The New Zealand Football Foundation would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank Aliesha Staples and Craig Wheatley who end their tenure as Trustees of the Foundation.

Since joining the Foundation in 2022, and taking on the Board Chair duties from 2023, Aliesha’s leadership and vision saw a sustained period of growth and helped shape strong governance practices within the Foundation, as well overseeing our grants to community football programs pass $2.2 million.  

Since joining in 2022, Craig’s legal and commercial expertise supported strong financial stewardship and alignment with the Foundation’s impact priorities. His love for football, both globally and in Aotearoa, has been a constant motivation behind his commitment to the Foundation.

Reflecting on their time with the Foundation, Aliesha and Craig shared their thoughts:

“Serving as Chair of the New Zealand Football Foundation has been a privilege. I’m incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made, the impact we’ve supported across communities, and the strong platform we’ve built for the future. While my chapter in this role comes to an end, my belief in the Foundation’s purpose—and in the power of football to change lives—remains unwavering.” - Aliesha Staples

"It was an honour to serve as a trustee of the New Zealand Football Foundation. The Foundation plays a vital role in supporting the future of football in Aotearoa and making a positive difference across communities through the beautiful game. I'm proud to have played a part in the governance of such an incredible organisation, alongside a dedicated CEO and a passionate and committed group of trustees and supporters. I look forward to supporting the Foundation and the important work it does in the future" - Craig Wheatley

We are deeply grateful for the time, insight and leadership Aliesha and Craig have contributed to the Foundation and to community football across Aotearoa. We wish them all the best for their future and hope they enjoy their added free time to get back on the pitch more often.  

Stay tuned for our upcoming trustee announcements, as we continue building on the legacy of Aliesha, Craig and all trustees who have given their time to further our mission.