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RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
Watch live: Wellington Phoenix hire Bev Priestman, former Canada coach who spied on Football Ferns
Bev Priestman, the former head coach of Canada's women's football team who was banned for her role in drone spying scandal at the Paris Olympics has been named as head coach of the Phoenix women's team. Priestman, who also guided Canada to Olympic glory in Tokyo, has signed a two year deal. She replaces Paul Temple who left following the conclusion of the last A-League season. Priestman recently finished serving a one-year ban from any football-related activity for her role in the Canadian team's misuse of drones at last year's Paris Olympics. Bev Priestman. Photo: JASON MOWRY / AFP Football's world governing FIFA suspended Priestman after an investigation revealed that she along with other coaching staff used a drone to spy on New Zealand's training session at the Olympics. Following an independent review of the incident by Canada Soccer Priestman was permanently stood down from the head coaching role. Phoenix Chairman Rob Morrison said the club was thrilled to have made a signing of Priestman's calibre. "We're really pleased to be able to welcome Bev back to football," Morrison said. "We all know she's had a period of time away from the game, but we understand the circumstances and we're really comfortable with this appointment. "Bev can't wait to get started and we're really happy that she's going to be coaching the Phoenix." Priestman had previously worked as head of football with New Zealand Football and mentored current Football Ferns coach Michael Mayne. In total Priestman has coached at four FIFA Women's World Cups, three Olympic Games and three FIFA youth world cups. She's twice been shortlisted for the Best FIFA women's coach award and holds the world's most prestigious coaching qualification, the UEFA pro licence. "Bev is a world class coach and a top person, and I have no doubt she will bring her winning mentality to the Wellington Phoenix," Morrison said. Head Coach Bev Priestman of Canada, 2024. Photo: ALEX BIERENS DE HAAN / AFP Priestman is grateful for the opportunity. "Huge thanks to Rob, Shaun Gill (director of football) and David Dome (general manager) for giving me this chance to come back to the game I love and hopefully bring some special moments to not only this city, but this country," Priestman said. "Coming back to New Zealand and seeing the Phoenix week in week out as the only professional women's team has been amazing. We have a responsibility now to fly the flag for this country and try to do something special. "On the pitch I want to see players express themselves and be brave. I want players to take risks, play forward, excite the fans and get them out of their seats." Morrison said the signing of Priestman is a big move for the club. "Securing Bev as head coach speaks to the ambition we have for this team. "Signing one of the world's best coaches is a statement for the club, but it is also a statement for the Ninja A-League, reflecting the ambition and investment from APL for the development of the women's game in Australasia." It is a full circle moment for Priestman, who 16 years ago headed up coach development in Wellington. She then went on to be New Zealand Football's director of football development and played a pivotal role in the award-winning Whole of Football Plan.
RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
Wellington Phoenix hire Bev Priestman, former Canada coach who spied on Football Ferns
Bev Priestman while head coach of Canada, 2024. Photo: JASON MOWRY / AFP Bev Priestman, the former head coach of Canada's women's football team who was banned for her role in drone spying scandal at the Paris Olympics has been named as head coach of the Phoenix women's team. Priestman, who also guided Canada to Olympic glory in Tokyo, has signed a two year deal. She replaces Paul Temple who left following the conclusion of the last A-League season. Priestman recently finished serving a one-year ban from any football-related activity for her role in the Canadian team's misuse of drones at last year's Paris Olympics. Football's world governing FIFA suspended Priestman after an investigation revealed that she along with other coaching staff used a drone to spy on New Zealand's training session at the Olympics. Following an independent review of the incident by Canada Soccer Priestman was permanently stood down from the head coaching role. Phoenix Chairman Rob Morrison said the club was thrilled to have made a signing of Priestman's calibre. "We're really pleased to be able to welcome Bev back to football," Morrison said. "We all know she's had a period of time away from the game, but we understand the circumstances and we're really comfortable with this appointment. "Bev can't wait to get started and we're really happy that she's going to be coaching the Phoenix." Priestman had previously worked as head of football with New Zealand Football and mentored current Football Ferns coach Michael Mayne. In total Priestman has coached at four FIFA Women's World Cups, three Olympic Games and three FIFA youth world cups. She's twice been shortlisted for the Best FIFA women's coach award and holds the world's most prestigious coaching qualification, the UEFA pro licence. "Bev is a world class coach and a top person, and I have no doubt she will bring her winning mentality to the Wellington Phoenix," Morrison said. Head Coach Bev Priestman of Canada, 2024. Photo: ALEX BIERENS DE HAAN / AFP Priestman is grateful for the opportunity. "Huge thanks to Rob, Shaun Gill (director of football) and David Dome (general manager) for giving me this chance to come back to the game I love and hopefully bring some special moments to not only this city, but this country," Priestman said. "Coming back to New Zealand and seeing the Phoenix week in week out as the only professional women's team has been amazing. We have a responsibility now to fly the flag for this country and try to do something special. "On the pitch I want to see players express themselves and be brave. I want players to take risks, play forward, excite the fans and get them out of their seats." Morrison said the signing of Priestman is a big move for the club. "Securing Bev as head coach speaks to the ambition we have for this team. "Signing one of the world's best coaches is a statement for the club, but it is also a statement for the Ninja A-League, reflecting the ambition and investment from APL for the development of the women's game in Australasia." It is a full circle moment for Priestman, who 16 years ago headed up coach development in Wellington. She then went on to be New Zealand Football's director of football development and played a pivotal role in the award-winning Whole of Football Plan.
RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
Mormon Church responds to allegations against American missionary accused of abusing Tongan boys
An 1835, first edition of the Mormon scripture, "Doctrine and Covenants", revelations from Mormon Church Founder Joseph Smith, is displayed at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Church History Library. Photo: AFP Content warning: This story discusses the sexual abuse of children. The Mormon Church claims it is unclear whether an American missionary - who allegedly sexually abused boys in Tonga - did so under their roof. William James Purdy was indicted by a federal grand jury in Utah on 16 July on charges related to the exploitation of 14 boys outside the United States. The United States Department of Justice said court documents revealed Purdy travelled to the Tongan capital, Nuku'alofa, in 2017 for a one-year mission with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The then 20-year-old allegedly preyed on multiple male victims during his year with the church before returning to the US. "Purdy returned to Tonga in late 2019 to teach at a school in Nuku'alofa, where, for years, he groomed and sexually abused numerous male students, some of whom lived with him," court documents showed. "Purdy allegedly provided gifts, including electronic decives and access to the internet, food, toys and money, in exchange for the performance of sexual acts." He is believed to have secretly recorded young boys in his bathroom at his various apartments in the capital. He was arrested by Tongan police in October 2022, after an eight-year-old school boy disclosed that Purdy sexually assaulted him during their tutoring sessions. However, he continued to offend after being released on bail from prison and in March 2023, with a trial looming, fled the country using a fake passport. Richard Hunter, the Mormon Church's spokesperson for the Pacific area, said the organisation was taking the allegations "very seriously". "It is unclear at this stage if he was involved in abuse as a missionary with us, my colleagues in Tonga were unaware of this until now," said Hunter, who is based in Auckland. However, he admitted that it was "absolutely possible" that offending did occur while he was working with children on his mission. "If our mission leaders in Tonga were aware of this, he would have been sent home immediately for breaking both the law and the commandments of God." "We feel very sad for those whose lives have been impacted so horrendously. I'm hoping there will be opportunities in Tonga for victims to receive love and support from our congregations. He said the church was co-operating with the police in Tonga and the US in all aspects of their pre-trial investigations. Homeland security investigations and diplomatic security service are investigating the case, with the help of Tongan police and the Tongan department of public prosecutions. The investigation has so far identified 14 victims throughout Tonga. "The defendant chose to travel abroad under the guise of good intentions and then sexually exploited and abused children who had been trusted to his care," said acting assistant attorney-general General Matthew Galeotti of the US justice department's criminal division. "When foreign authorities sought to hold him accountable, he fled back to the US. The US will not export child exploitation. The department is committed to securing justice for children exploited overseas when these heinous acts are committed by Americans." Galeotti said. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Philadelphia special agent in charge Edward Owens said Purdy's actions represented a "profound betrayal of trust and have caused immeasurable harm to the young lives he was supposed to protect and nurture." "Our global reach and partnerships are crucial in our relentless fight against child predators, ensuring that those who exploit and abuse children, no matter where they are, are brought to justice," Owens said. In Tonga In New Zealand
