Dave Rayner has recently been appointed as the Fit4Football Player Welfare Officer for the Bay of Plenty.

This is something of a move home for Dave, who grew up in Tauranga, attending local schools and playing local football, before moving to Auckland at the age of fifteen. He went on to play for New Zealand at the FIFA U17 World Cup, which was held in New Zealand in 1999.

Post-World Cup, Dave played professionally for Newcastle United in the UK, made his All Whites debut at 18, then returned home to play for the Football Kingz.

At the Kingz he a debilitating injury that ended his playing career. From there he decided to study the body, which has led him to his current role with the Fit4Football team.

"Coming home is great and when the opportunity came up I didn't have to think twice," said Dave. "It's a chance for me to give back to the BOP football community, and the area, that gave me so much as a youngster.

"I’ve been with the Fit4Football team from day one, initially looking after the AFF region. So when the chance came up to combine this role with a return to the Bay, it was a no brainer really."

Dave can be contacted on 021 334 245 or David.Rayner@nzfootball.co.nz

Photo: Photosport/NZ Football.