At Big Buddy, we’re always looking for meaningful ways to create lasting memories for the boys in our programme – and thanks to the incredible generosity of Noel Barkley and his wife Christine, we were able to do just that in a BIG way.
Noel, a former All White and three-time New Zealand Player of the Year, and his wife Christine, joined the Big Buddy whānau last year as major donors. Since then, their commitment has gone far beyond financial support.
Recently, Noel brought his passion for football to life by hosting a special experience for a large group of Auckland and Hamilton Little Buddies and their Big Buddies, as well as a number of our Group Graduates.
On Saturday 11 April, the group headed to Go Media Stadium to watch Auckland FC take on Melbourne Victory — and what a day it turned out to be.
For many of the boys, this was their very first live football match. In fact, for some of our Little Buddies and even a few Big Buddies, it was their first time ever stepping foot inside a stadium. That sense of “firsts” made the day even more special, with wide eyes, huge smiles, and plenty of excitement from the moment they arrived.
To make the day even more memorable, Auckland FC generously gifted official team hats to all the boys – a gesture that had them proudly showing their colours throughout the match. Adding to the thrill, Big Buddy received a special shoutout on the big screen before kick-off.
The match itself certainly delivered. In an action-packed encounter, Auckland FC battled to a 2–2 draw with Melbourne Victory. One of the standout moments came late in the game, when Lachlan Brook produced a moment of magic – curling in a stunning free kick from 25 metres in the 82nd minute to rescue a point. It was the kind of goal that had the whole stadium on its feet and left a lasting impression on everyone watching.
For Noel, the day was about more than just football. It was about sharing something he is deeply passionate about with the Big Buddy community and creating opportunities for connection. Experiences like these help strengthen the bonds between Big Buddies and Little Buddies, building confidence, trust, and lifelong memories.
“Noel’s support has been incredible. He’s not only giving back financially, but also giving his time and creating experiences that truly make a difference for our boys.” Christie, Co-CEO
And Noel isn’t stopping there.
He’s continuing to deepen his involvement with Big Buddy by stepping in as the guest speaker at an upcoming fundraising lunch on 13 May at Fantail & Turtle. It promises to be a fantastic event, offering supporters the chance to hear firsthand from Noel about his remarkable journey — both on and off the field.
While his football career is impressive, Noel’s experience extends far beyond the pitch. His background spans leadership roles and major events across sport and business, including work with Sony Music and ownership of ECM stores, the New Zealand Golf Open, the FIFA U20 World Cup, the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, and the Women’s Rugby World Cup. He has also worked as an insurance broker and served as CEO of the New Zealand Football Foundation. His insights, stories, and perspective are sure to make for an inspiring and engaging afternoon.
Most importantly, the event will help raise vital funds to support Big Buddy’s mission – matching boys without a father figure with positive male mentors who can help guide them through life.
If you’d like to be part of this special event and support the work we do, you can secure your spot here:
https://wkf.ms/4ssVWcz
We are incredibly grateful to Noel and Christine for their generosity, passion, and ongoing commitment to Big Buddy. It’s supporters like them who help us create moments that matter – moments that can change a boy’s life.
