Former Socceroo Josh Kennedy appointed NPL Victoria Competitions Manager

Football Victoria (FV) are pleased to announce Australian football legend, Josh Kennedy, has been appointed to the role of NPL Competitions Manager.

Josh’s football pedigree needs little introduction. From humble roots playing his first junior football at regional club Twin City Wanderers FC, Josh emerged from Victoria’s football fields to progress to the AIS, Carlton SC, a move to Germany, before becoming a star of Japanese Football – appearing 133 times and scoring 64 goals for Nagoya Grampus. 
 
Perhaps his most prominent moment for Australian football however was his winning goal vs Iraq in June 2013, that sent the Socceroos to the 2014 World Cup (Brazil). Josh subsequently went on to earn 36 Socceroos Caps, scoring 17 goals throughout his international career. 
 
Whilst playing the game, Josh has always been enthusiastic about the contribution that he can make to Australian football once his playing career was over. Earlier this year, Josh took his first off-field step by joining FV in the role of MiniRoos Manager, before enthusiastically chasing this new opportunity.
 
“I’ve been fortunate throughout my football career to have worked with many inspiring mentors, who encouraged me to always look to the future and how I could be involved with the next generations of footballers, off the pitch,” Josh said.
 
“When this role presented itself, I jumped at the opportunity to be involved. It’s been a difficult year for all Victorians without the game we love and I am looking forward to working with everybody involved in our NPL/NPLW Victoria competitions in 2021.”
 
Kimon Taliadoros praised the appointment, looking forward to the valuable contribution Josh can provide to Victoria’s premier football leagues.
 
“This is an outstanding appointment for Victorian football. You would be hard placed to find anybody better qualified to tackle the unique aspects of this role than Josh. His extensive career has given him a holistic understanding of the challenges and opportunities our elite Clubs and players face.” 
 
“Josh has a genuine desire to give back to the game that has provided him with an incredible playing career and we’re delighted that he has chosen this role, working with our Victorian NPL and NPLW clubs in his next phase of ‘off field’ football career.” 
 
“Australian football needs to continue to provide pathways for our players to contribute after their ‘on field’ careers are complete and I hope this is just the start of many more of Josh’s generation of Matildas and Socceroos to remain actively involved in our game.”
 
Football Federation Australia CEO, James Johnson, is delighted with the appointment.
 
“Josh Kennedy amassed a wealth of international experience throughout his career, featuring for clubs in Australia, Germany, and Japan, as well as representing the Socceroos at two FIFA World Cups."

"It is fantastic that Josh’s knowledge and football acumen will be retained in the game through his new role at Football Victoria. As outlined in the XI Principles for the future of Australian football, providing more opportunities for professional and semi-professional players to remain involved in and contribute to various areas of the sport, including coaching, refereeing, and administration, is a key component of our 15-year vision for Australian football.”
 
Josh will commence his new role on Monday 7 December.