Melbourne City FC continues to positively influence the Australian National Teams with Football Australia today appointing Andrew McKenzie to the newly created role of General Manager of High Performance.
Highly regarded within the sports medicine industry, McKenzie first joined City as Head of Human Performance in October 2015, following a decade of experience in elite sport, where he spent time with English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur and Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League.
A decade of dedication and excellence
For the past nine years, McKenzie has been the cornerstone of City’s high-performance unit. His relentless dedication and expertise have been instrumental in the Club’s success, helping City lift 13 senior trophies and elevate the team’s performance to new heights.
The move of City’s General Manager of Human Performance to the national team set up follows in the footsteps of fellow City alumni who have left the Club to join the Australian National Team program, as well as some of the biggest leagues in the world.
In recent seasons, City staff have made the move to the English Premier League, English Women’s Super League, Ligue 1, Eredivisie, Major League Soccer and National Women’s Soccer League, as the Club continues to produce the best talent both on and off the pitch.
A legacy of growth and opportunity
Melbourne City FC CEO, Brad Rowse, highlighted how McKenzie will continue to support the growth and development of Australia’s best footballers in his new role.
“Andrew has been an integral part of our team, and his move to Football Australia is a testament to his hard work and dedication, and the high standards we uphold at Melbourne City.
“His journey reflects our commitment to providing growth opportunities not just for our players, but for everyone within the football club. Andrew has overseen the development of future stars, both Socceroos and Matildas, at City, and now he’ll continue to do the same at Football Australia.”
Director of Football, Michael Petrillo, reflected on the impact of McKenzie’s time at City.
“Andrew and I arrived at the Club at the same time, and I’ve been very fortunate to see his influence firsthand. He’s one of the best in the country at what he does, and he’s been incredibly influential in our success over the past nine years.
Andrew’s success story is a shining example of what we aim to achieve at Melbourne City. We strive to create an environment where both players and staff can reach their full potential and make significant contributions to the broader football community.
“He’ll be sorely missed at City and we wish him all the best.”
Reflections from Andrew McKenzie
Looking back on a memorable nine years at City, Andrew McKenzie was filled with pride reflecting on what the Club has achieved.
“I’m extremely proud of my time at Melbourne City and the people I have had the opportunity to work with. There’s no doubt that the professionalism and culture of the Club that has contributed to the success we’ve been able to achieve together, are the reasons why staff are so highly sought after.
“During my time at City it’s been an honour to play a part in shaping several future stars of Australian football, not just players but performance staff and coaches alike. I look forward to an exciting new chapter with Football Australia and I am excited for the opportunity to continue pushing Australian football to new heights.”
As Andrew McKenzie embarks on this new challenge, Melbourne City FC remains committed to fostering talent and excellence both on and off the pitch.
We thank Andrew for his immense contribution and his outstanding service and wish him every success in his new role. His achievements at City will continue to be a proud part of our history.
