Wellbeing 'concerns' see Ferns coach quit Olympic campaign

Brodyn Knuckey Brodyn Knuckey | 06-28 16:20

Jitka Klimková has "opted" to stand down as head coach of the Football Ferns for next month's Olympic campaign at the Paris Games.

In a brief statement this evening, New Zealand Football said the decision was made "in consultation" with Klimkova and followed last month's investigation into an employment matter.

"Klimková has taken the view that due to concerns in relation to the team environment, her wellbeing, and a restorative process having not been completed, it would not be the right time for her to return," NZF said.

While the investigation took place, Klimková missed the Football Ferns' two losses to Japan earlier this month but was free to return following its conclusion.

The investigation was commissioned by New Zealand Football and carried out by an independent workplace investigator.

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It said the findings of the investigation were strictly confidential to the related parties, as was standard in workplace investigations and employment matters.

However, in a leaked letter from NZF chief executive Andrew Pragnell sent to players after the investigation, Pragnell invited both players and team management to be part of a "restorative process" to "build or rebuild constructive relationships".

"There are many people in the environment who want [to be] working towards a more cohesive and high performance environment that is founded on high trust," Pragnell wrote.

"Despite the work the team and staff have put into this area over the past nine months there is still further work to be done. To that end NZF and NZPFA [NZ Professional Footballers' Association] have agreed to providing a restorative process with trained independent facilitators to assist in building relationships with some players and staff."

Pragnell noted the process was "voluntary" and there was no requirement for players to be involved.

NZF said this evening in Klimkova's absence, assistant coach Michael Mayne will act as head coach for the games and will be bringing in additional support staff to ensure the team are equipped to perform on the world stage.

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