It is with a mix of both sadness and excitement that we announce our Director of Football, Lee Padmore has accepted a job as Academy Youth Development Phase Coach with the Wellington Phoenix, starting September 14.

This is an exciting opportunity that Lee deserves, and recognises the outstanding work he has done within our club and the wider Canterbury region over the last five years.

Lee’s contribution to the club over that time cannot be underestimated. He has developed the quality of our men’s first team, not only in the way they play but also to promotion to the Mainland Premier League last year and ensuring they retained that status this year. That he has done this with a young side, full of local talent is a credit to his commitment to providing a quality pathway for our youngsters and to improving players.

It is in the youth space where Lee has perhaps had the biggest impact. His unwavering commitment to our young players learning to play a style of football that will enable them to play on any stage has laid the foundation for our current high-quality development programmes. It is no accident that Selwyn United became the first licensed club under Lee's guidance - he spearheaded the establishment of the first club-based Talent Centre in Canterbury and in doing so challenged the rest of the region to do the same.

In the quest to improve football Lee has used every opportunity possible to develop as a coach and coach educator. With the club's assistance, he gained his Oceania A-license (first time around) last year and has since mentored our up and coming club coaches through their own development pathway. He is one of the most qualified coaches in the country so it is no surprise that the Phoenix would come knocking.

Perhaps Lee's lasting legacy will be the playing model he has established at the club. Selwyn United takes great pride in the way we approach the game and Lee has played a major role in developing that. Since day one he has brought an unrelenting drive to play an attacking, free-flowing, passing game that players enjoy playing, and spectators want to watch. He has never once backed down from that intent. It is a philosophy that is now deeply ingrained in the club and a key part of our vision.

As a board, we knew there would come a day when Lee would move on. That was inevitable. We should take pride in the fact that he is able to go on to bigger and better things. That reflects well on the club itself. We now have a sustainable base to build from and will continue to provide high quality pathways for all our players.

We wish Lee all the very best for the future and look forward to watching him further influence the development of New Zealand football.