Wellington Phoenix and New Zealand Football have teamed up in a “significant talent development partnership” to help support the growth and progression of the next generation of Kiwi players.
Described as a “game changer”, the FIFA-backed partnership will see the Phoenix and New Zealand Football join forces on a talent development system to maximise the impact of both parties’ resources.
The partnership aligns with the New Zealand Football High Performance and Talent Development Plan to support New Zealand’s best football talent, while there will be additional scholarship positions at the Phoenix academy for Kiwi talents, and steps to align the development pathway for players from the domestic game to the A-Leagues and beyond.
Click here to secure your Unite Round tickets TODAY!
It comes after 2023-24 Isuzu UTE A-League Men Semi-Finalists Wellington sold Alex Paulsen (Bournemouth), Ben Old (Saint-Etienne) and Finn Surman (Portland Timbers) abroad, while Macey Fraser secured a record-breaking transfer from the Phoenix’s Ninja A-League Women team.
“We believe this partnership will be a game-changer for the development of young footballers in Aotearoa,” said Phoenix general manager David Dome.
“Through the investment of our owners the Phoenix academy has gone from strength-to-strength and is setting the standard for youth development in New Zealand, with graduates now playing in the world’s top leagues.
“With the support of New Zealand Football and FIFA we believe we can take the academy to a whole new level and will help more young footballers realise their dreams of playing professionally.”
2024-25 SEASON FIXTURES
FULL FIXTURES: Every match of the Isuzu UTE A-League 24-25 season here
TALKING POINTS: New TV format, byes & everything you need to know from the draw
DERBY DATES: The matches to circle in your calendar now
Heading into the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season, the Phoenix have handed out scholarship deals to Dublin Boon and Corban Piper, while Matt Sheridan and Alby Kelly-Heald had their contracts upgraded.
In the Ninja A-League, Wellington gave Aimee Danieli, Ella McMillan, Ela Jerez and Ella McCann scholarships.
“Wellington Phoenix have a critical role to play in talent development in the player pathway and have an established record of successfully supporting players to become professional footballers, transferring them into top flight clubs around the world as well as producing All Whites and Ford Football Ferns,” said New Zealand Football CEO Andrew Pragnell.
“Following the FIFA Women’s World Cup last year, football is exploding in Aotearoa, our community club network are doing a great job in player development and our development pathway is continuing to evolve, so it is really important that we have an aligned approach across the country to support the next generation of Kiwi talent.
“With two A-League clubs now in New Zealand, there is an opportunity to ensure our professional academies are accessible and present the best opportunities towards a professional pathway for talented young players in Aotearoa.
“The NZF-Phoenix partnership in creating the first ever women’s professional team was groundbreaking, so it’s very exciting to now move forward with this collaboration that will allow New Zealand Football and the Phoenix to really maximise both of our resources and ensure we support each other for the benefit of New Zealand talent.”
