Soccer: Bazeley appointed Junior All Whites coach

Darren Bazeley has been appointed head coach of the New Zealand under-20 men's football team and will guide the side towards the next World Cup, in New Zealand in 2015.

Bazeley has extensive experience coaching at age group level and is currently the under-17 Young All Whites coach.

He has been assistant coach at under-17 World Cups in 2009 and 2011 and assistant at Waitakere United where he won three national league crowns.

"We are extremely pleased to have someone of Darren's calibre to lead our team in what will be a milestone event for football in New Zealand in 2015,'' said Fred de Jong, New Zealand Football's high performance director.

"As well as his excellent coaching credentials he provides continuity having worked with many of the players through the previous two under-17 campaigns.''

Bazeley, who enjoyed an extensive playing career in England before moving to New Zealand in 2005 to join the now-defunct New Zealand Knights, was eager to get into the new role.

"We've got a two-year build up to identify and develop the best players in New Zealand in this age group. We have time to work with a core group of players and really start developing a team that's capable of competing at the World Cup,'' Bazeley said.

"The under-17s and under-20s are about developing players for the All Whites. The World Cup is important because it's a platform and a stage for the players to measure themselves against the best in the world, but it's also another opportunity to build them towards the All Whites.''

The under-20 World Cup will be held in New Zealand from May 30 to June 20, 2015. Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Wellington and Whangerei were recently announced as host cities.

"For the under-20 World Cup to be here in New Zealand is going to be very special for the players and the staff. It's going to be an amazing event for the whole country,'' Bazeley said.

"We'll be able to see the best players in the world at this age group in New Zealand and it's an opportunity to showcase New Zealand football and the talented players that we have. We need to make sure that the players in the team do well for themselves, and for the country. It's a great opportunity for all of us.''

Profile: Darren Bazeley
Playing career:
1989-1999 - Watford FC (283 apps)
1999-2002 - Wolverhampton Wanderers FC (80 apps)
2002-2005 - Walsall FC (100 apps)
2005-2007 - New Zealand Knights (41 apps)
Coaching career:
2008-2009 - Waitakere United youth team head coach
2009-2012 - Waitakere United assistant coach
2009-2011 - New Zealand U-17 men's assistant coach
2012-2013 - New Zealand U-17 men's head coach