Ngāruawāhia, New Zealand – Gordon Watson (Ngāpuhi), has been named Māori Sports Administrator of the Year for the second year running at the prestigious Māori Sports Awards.
This back-to-back honour is a powerful testament to Gordon’s outstanding leadership, tireless dedication, and unwavering commitment, not only to Auckland City FC, but also to Māori Football Aotearoa, Te Huinga Takaro o Aotearoa and the football community in general.
He said: “I feel very blessed and humbled to be standing here tonight.
“I want to recognise fellow nominees Harley and Tui for their work within their codes, and also everybody here for being part of this wonderful occasion.
“Te Tohu Takaro o Aotearoa has created a special event, and our gracious hosts at Tūrangawaewae provide a beautiful backdrop that connects us to our whakapapa.
“Māori Football Aotearoa — Maui Whare, Phil, Hone, Kimi Ora, Joe and everyone involved — this recognition is as much yours as it is mine.
“For Auckland City FC to go to a FIFA Club World Cup as an amateur team, with players who are students and have day jobs, and to finish 27th out of 32 against global icons like Bayern Munich, Benfica and Manchester City – it is almost impossible to understand how difficult that is to pull together.
“It is about service — the mahi is about the athletes and the coaches, giving everything you have to enable them to be the best version of themselves on the world stage.
“For me, that was a privilege and an honour, just as it is with Māori Football Aotearoa, and I thank you for bringing me into your mahi.
“This moment is also for my late father David Watson, my late mother Aida Watson, my sister Heather Glen Watson, and my friend Steph Clark who passed away, this is for you too.
“For the past, the present, and the future of Māori sport, we are here to uplift it all together.”
Watson led Auckland City FC’s administrative drive at the FIFA Club World Cup USA 2025 as the club finished 27th out of 32, including a 1-1 draw with Boca Juniors of Argentina, a result that eliminated the South Americans.
His academic work included completing the first year of a doctorate in Business Adminstration at Otago University, a Chartered Governance Professional and Chartered Secretary qualifications at Corporate Governance Institute of New Zealand and a FIFA Club Management Diploma.
He is also on the board of Māori Football Aotearoa, Te Huinga Takaro o Aotearoa and was peer nominated for a Silver Service Award at Otago University earlier this year.
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Photo Credit: Māori Sports Awards / Phototek NZ
Story Credit: Māori Football Aotearoa Media
