Talent Identification

Honest question... how do we make sure the right players are getting in front of the right people.

I've been fortunate to coach a lot of talented athletes over the past 20 years, some of whom who have gone on to reach the highest levels of representation across a multitude of sports (Cricket, Football, Rugby)... but equally, I know of a lot that seemed to disappear.

I'm asking as there is a 11yr old kid at our club who instead of playing for our u12 squad, is playing in the u14's and a stand out against kids up to 3 years older than him. The kid is big for his age... but not huge. He has great feet, a good touch, reads the game well etc, he has all the tick boxes, but more importantly... he is a genuinely good kid. Respectful, hard working and open to learning.

I am not friends with the family - nor am I related in anyway... he's just a really good kid and player who I don't want to see playing for Auckland one day (I'm in Hamilton) as a NIX supporter... and Wellington seems further away than ever before.

I know Conchie moved from Melville at 13/14... but that was before Auckland obviously, so people do get spotted, or atleast they did.

I would love to know - how do the NIX go about finding out whose young and with potential coming through?? Auck have their '17 clubs' - what does the NIX have in terms of a scouting network?

For the Waikato, the Nix have old coach Ricki and his RH3 Academy.

Both Dylan Gardiner and LBS went though RH3 before moving to the Phoenix.

A few months back read that Ricki had a very highly promising young female player that he was wanting to send down to Weenix.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2024/01/18/waikato-teenagers-spending-a-month-training-with-spanish-club/

But yeah can see the whole youth recruiting space heating up a bit now, with Auckland's arrival. Both clubs will be looking closely at NZ U16/17 squads and any players not attached to either club.

Weenix signed 4 NZ players pretty much straight after the last U17 WC in 2023.
Matt Foord (Cashmere Technical), Gardiner (Hamilton Wanderers), Nic Murphy (Christchurch United) and Nathan Walker (Fencibles).
That's now going to be harder for them to do, with AFC around.

The Nix have scouting camps where players can turn up and be selected. Lots of players come from all over the country to the Nix Academy or even seniors (Luke Brook Smith yeah?)

 In my understanding There are some age limits tho and 11 would be too young. 

The kid I mentioned left RH3 - despite their protests and pleas for him to stay, so that path may be blocked unfortunately.

Don't know what other areas are like, but Hamilton/Waikato is a little tribal at the junior level... watching a coach (in his 50's) celebrate in the faces of the opposition (who are 10/11) is the piss poor reality.

With Cambridge, Melville and Wanderers all playing for promotion (and have 'academy programs'), it seems to have made things worse.

Tyler

The Nix have scouting camps where players can turn up and be selected. Lots of players come from all over the country to the Nix Academy or even seniors (Luke Brook Smith yeah?)

 In my understanding There are some age limits tho and 11 would be too young. 

I've seen these, but never one in Hamilton - although I might be mistaken.

Given how young players are identified overseas, tournaments like the AIMS games would seem a great starting point - albeit not every kid attends a school large enough to compete.

Tyler

The Nix have scouting camps where players can turn up and be selected. Lots of players come from all over the country to the Nix Academy or even seniors (Luke Brook Smith yeah?)

 In my understanding There are some age limits tho and 11 would be too young. 

This is the most reliable way to get the attention of the Nix academy. It's a major reason why they even happen.

They have eyes (almost) everywhere. Although this could have eventuated from one of the various camps they have around the country.

Screenshot_2025-06-19-13-41-09-48_a23b203fd3aafc6dcb84e438dda678b6.jpg 586.95 KB

Although naturally the Phoenix 'territory' for lack of a better word is now more heavily combed over by our Northern neighbours.

Of course this space, as previously mentioned is going to be heating up big time over the next few years. With the reality still being that neither club can sign absolutely everyone.

Two different routes at play too. Auckland's TDP, which has already brought 15 year old NZ U17 rep Benjamin Perez Baldoni into the fold for example v Wellington and the more established and traditional academy approach.

MetalLegNZ

The kid I mentioned left RH3 - despite their protests and pleas for him to stay, so that path may be blocked unfortunately.

Don't know what other areas are like, but Hamilton/Waikato is a little tribal at the junior level... watching a coach (in his 50's) celebrate in the faces of the opposition (who are 10/11) is the piss poor reality.

With Cambridge, Melville and Wanderers all playing for promotion (and have 'academy programs'), it seems to have made things worse.

I'm sure the kid (and his parents) had their reasons for leaving RH3, but yeah maybe that now makes the pro football dream more difficult??

For many families this sort of commitment or move is impossible, but Xuan Loke moved up from Dunedin with his dad as a 12 yr old to join Ole.

I always liked Arsene Wegner's blunt and brutal short analysis of what needs to happen for a kid to crack it into the pro game.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=929060357684468

It's tough, and massively competitive. It really is the global game, with millions of youngsters having the football dream. Downunder in NZ & Aussie we are a bit naive to all that, and maybe that ain't a bad thing for kids here.

No doubt there is a better thread somewhere but I'll chuck this here.
Can't get in any Coaching threads it seems due to the Forbidden issue.

New Zealand Football has unveiled Whole of Football 2.0, evolving the way football and futsal are delivered to the more than 176,000 players who take part in Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest team participation sport ⚽️

➡️ For more info vist https://t.co/7WsznKNfbC pic.twitter.com/hACAB7SBxt

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) July 31, 2025

https://twitter.com/NZ_Football/status/1950709100112994637

Football, in it's most basic form, is about participation and enjoyment and of course the positive life and social elements that come with these factors.

One thing I really like about the original whole of football plan is that it addresses inclusion and enjoyment, as well as player development.

For example, more touches = more involvement, less chance of exclusion = active participation = sense of self worth.

I haven't read these updates yet, but I'm aniticipating further improvements to something that is already, IMO, very good.

I'll put this here, but also found a better Coaching thread further down the page.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360776979/junior-football-overhaul-new-zealand-football-revamps-game-formats-youth-players

coochiee

I'll put this here, but also found a better Coaching thread further down the page.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360776979/junior-football-overhaul-new-zealand-football-revamps-game-formats-youth-players

the comments are not very positive

Let me guess, too many parents thinking it will hold their little Messi back.

I've been involve in youth footy for a while in a couple capacities, the biggest challenge outside people remembering 99% of clubs and teams are fully amateur is the number of parents living vicariously through their children and their so called generational talent!

Bullion

coochiee

I'll put this here, but also found a better Coaching thread further down the page.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360776979/junior-football-overhaul-new-zealand-football-revamps-game-formats-youth-players

the comments are not very positive

That's probably a good sign given the quality of stuff comments.

I think smaller sided games for longer is a great idea. The research shows more touches, more decision making opportunities and repetitions. Repetition is the key for improvement in anything (except for my golf swing unfortunately!) 

Hmmm. My only issue is the idea that this will help little goalkeepers develop, because if you're doing 5v5 until they're 10, then they won't have goalkeepers. Do they think that starting keeper training later is better?

Typically there's only 2/3 keepers in a whole grade of players, especially at that age group, most teams rotate a goalkeeper, so no.

I see your point but some clubs will offer goalkeeper training, so I don't think it'll be too detrimental to gks.

Doloras

Hmmm. My only issue is the idea that this will help little goalkeepers develop, because if you're doing 5v5 until they're 10, then they won't have goalkeepers. Do they think that starting keeper training later is better?

I think if a 10 year old wants to play in goal then that's great, but they also need to be an outfielder to get the skills needed to play with their feet. I've coached lots of 10-12 year olds over the last 10+ years, and the ones that take the time to play outfield when they are younger are much better when their coach wants them to play it long when they turn 14 (another whole debate).
The WOF 2.0 plan as a whole I think is positive. Lots of touches on the ball, always moving due to smaller team size, playing with mates as they are happy has to be a good thing.

Doloras

Hmmm. My only issue is the idea that this will help little goalkeepers develop, because if you're doing 5v5 until they're 10, then they won't have goalkeepers. Do they think that starting keeper training later is better?

Most keepers don't pick it up until they're a bit older anyway. I think I was 11 or 12 when I first tried being in goal and about 13 when I started doing full games in net.

Most 8-9 year olds want to run around and try be as involved as possible anyway, although if you have a kid who is set on goalkeeping it would be good to be able to nurture that a bit.

My 14r old has been playing footy in Wellington since he was 2. From first kicks which is fun to now playing U17's. I've reffed his games since he was 5 so been to every game and have seen how different kids footy is now to when I was playing.
Small ball footy 5v5,7v7,9v9 has allowed every player to gain confidence on the ball and learn some skills - the talent in just the regional U17 comp is insane. The availabily of artificial turf helps too, very few bogs to play on nowadays. 
From what I've seen over the year, most teams/coaches dont like to shoehorn kids into a certain position too early. My lad loved to play defense and made it very clear to every coach hes had, but they all push him to pay in the midfield, occassionally upfront - which obviously has helped him be a better player overall.

I'm all for these kind of developments and rule adaptions (like the retreatuing line) to encourage better football across all ages.

The laws are already adapted for 13s; they have "corners" taken from a position closer to the goal. Keeping them smaller sided for longer makes such good sense; huge range of physical development and differences at that age, don't make the game about speed and strength so young.

is a 14yo playing in u17 common?

Themooseman

is a 14yo playing in u17 common?

Not that ive seen, club wasnt running an U15 and we left it too late to switch clubs to find a team. Has held his own so far so it hasnt been an issue.