Pupil to attend Phoenix football academy
ST PETER’S College pupil
Dan Nelson will take the first steps to kickstart his professional football career next year.
The 14yearold from Gore has been selected to take part in the Wellington Phoenix Football Club Academy, which prepares young players to play for the club in the Australian A League.
He will attend St Patrick’s College, Silverstream, board at the school’s hostel and train with the club after school.
Dan said it was a ‘‘big’’ opportunity to join the only professional football club in the country.
‘‘If you’re in their academy then you play and train and then if you keep playing well you go to the first team eventually.
‘‘It’s pretty difficult to get in so it’s quite cool.’’
The academy was a good starting point to ‘‘get on the road to being a professional ’’, he said.
He had always wanted to be a professional footballer. ‘‘That’s the dream.’’
Ideally he would start at the Phoenix and possibly play for English club Everton.
‘‘I’ve supported them since forever.’’
Playing for the All Whites was another goal.
He was left footed which gave him an advantage because opposition players tended to play the ball to the left side of players thinking it was their weaker side. Left wing was his favourite position.
‘‘You score the goals and make the goals.’’
However, he also played in the centre midfield and at left back.
Football was a good game because anyone could play it, he said.
He spent about two hours a day practising his ball control skills and shooting goals.
In the past season he played in the Southland United under15 team that played in the Dunedin competition.
He was one of two Southern United players to be identified as an under17 All Whites player of interest.
Dan also excels academically, being the top St Peter’s College year 9 pupil last year.
Mataura Licensing Trust (MLT) board members approved a grant of $3600 to go towards the teenager’s football academy fees at its November meeting.
He was very grateful for the support of the trust, Dan said.
At the meeting, MLT board president Horace McAuley said Dan was similar to other young people the trust had helped in their sporting careers.
‘‘You put your hand on your heart and this is what we’re here for,’’ Mr McAuley said.
‘‘Here’s a golden opportunity for a young guy.
‘‘He’s enthusiastic and he’s committed.’’