MA City : Auckland, New Zealand

by: Paul Temple

Which city do you live in and why?
Auckland, New Zealand. This is where the NZ Women's Teams are based so I need to be here for trainings and camps plus I love it here so it makes it easy.

Has any other city caught your fancy where, why and what where the
circumstances?
I love Barcelona and Rome. I¹ve been to Barcelona a few times on holiday with my wife and just love the place, the vibe, the culture and of course the Nou Camp. I've only been to Rome once but nowhere else has the mix of history and modern day like Rome, it's amazing.

What advice would you give to a tourist visiting your city and country?
If you coming to Auckland then get out to the west coast and visit the beaches at Piha and Murawai, they are pretty stunning any time of year. It's essential for any tourists who come to NZ to go to the Bay of Islands up north and tour the South Island. New Zealand is so beautiful and vast, you could spend a month here and be amazed everyday!

 

What have been your most memorable meals?
This is a question I've never been asked before! I'd have to say the meal at my wedding has been the most memorable for obvious reasons.

 

What is your earliest football memory?
Playing for my primary school team at 4 years old, I can still remember my 1st training sessions and crying when I had to leave! It was a sign that football would be a massive part of my life I guess!

If you could change female football what would you do?
Well in New Zealand I would give it more media coverage and make sure the players got the recognition they deserve. We have so many talented and marketable players in New Zealand, it is a shame our media do not recognise this.

What do you miss most when you are out of the country?
Well I'm English so living in NZ I miss my family and watching Premier League Football. When I'm away from home I miss my wife and daughter loads.

What items do you pack in your suitcase when on international duty?
Lots because we travel with every item under the sun but essentials are iPod, laptop and the kit! Going through airports on tour has to be one of the most stressful things in football, I'd take a cup final in front of 60,000 anyday of the week over an airport check in.

What would you do if you were mayor of your city for a day?
Take the day off and go to the beach with my wife and daughter!

What would you do if you were footballgirl.com editor for a month?
Do a special preview on football in New Zealand and profile all the brightest
prospects.

What is your life philosophy?
To make a difference everyday, it does not have to be massive, sometimes the smallest differences mean the most. I also try hard to find time to enjoy the magical things in life you forget about when you work too much, like laughing, smiling and hugging people you love!

Who gives you/is inspirational to you?
In my personal life my daughter inspires me, seeing life through a baby's eyes is a fantastic thing, she has changed the way I live. In work I'm driven by two things. Success and
helping players. I love the feeling of winning and doing a great job but I also love the feeling of helping a player or seeing a player progress on and off the pitch.

Sum up your city in one sentence?
Auckland is the perfect blend of lifestyle and work.

How do you get around?
Well public transport in Auckland is terrible so I always drive everywhere.

Describe a memorable night out you had.
Well beating Columbia in the U17 Women¹s World Cup was an amazing night. We were the first NZ women¹s side to win a match at a major tournament, the tournament was in NZ and all the hard worked paid off in the end, so that night was very memorable for me and
the team. I also found out the next morning my wide was pregnant so ill always remember that night!

Which fragrance or cosmetic product do you wear?
I wear Farenheit by Dior when I go somewhere special and Code by Armani at other times.

What are your favourite home comforts?
My bed, everyone loves coming home to your own bed. Its even better during the winter when its warm inside and cold outside.

How do you unwind/relax?
I like hanging out with my daughter but sometimes that's not always relaxing! I play golf when I have the time which is a great way to unwind and hang out with friends. Going to the beach and hanging out with friends and family is also a great way to relax on your day off.

Kind Regards, Paul