Perhaps one of the toughest categories due to the huge talent and the limited coverage given to youth football. But that is certainly changing as it becomes the most popular sport in NZ. Our top 4 for 2015 are:
Noah Billingsley Billingsley made history in June when, as the youngest member of the Junior All Whites squad, he scored New Zealand's first ever goal at an Under-20 World Cup in his team's 5-1 over Myanmar at Westpac Stadium. Billingsley's goal helped New Zealand reach the Round of 16 for the First time. The Onslow College Year 13 student was named College Sport Wellington Footballer of the year and is taking a familiar route to many young New Zealand footballers in accepting a scholarship to a US university. He'll attend the University of California, Santa Barbara from next August and play for the school's division-one Gauchos football team, the same school former All White and Wellington Phoenix left-back Tony Lochhead attended, as well as current All White Michael Boxall. Jack-Henry Sinclair Jack switched from Palmerston North Boys' High School to Auckland Grammar School and has made every post a winner at his new school. He was appointed First XI captain guiding his team to second in the league and a win in the knockout cup over the league champions Sacred Heart College. The sturdy defender was chosen as captain of the New Zealand Under-17's who in January won the Oceania qualifying tournament to qualify for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup. At the World Cup New Zealand achieved their best ever result reaching the round of 16. They beat Paraguay in the last-minute of pool play to advance, before suffering a devastating loss to Brazil. Logan Rogerson Logan left Hamilton Boys' High School to take up a professional contract with the Phoenix in Wellington. The 17 year old has been riding a crest of the wave. He was selected for the All Whites for an international in Myanmar. Despite his tender age, he also featured with the national Under-23 team in the Olympic Qualifying Series. The striker scored a hat-trick in the match against New Caledonia as New Zealand won the tourney – a title that was unfortunately stripped when FIFA ruled South African-born Deklan Wynne was ineligible to play for New Zealand. In January Rogerson was awarded the Golden Boot award as the best player at the Under-17 Oceania World Cup qualifiers. He scored a goal in the final as New Zealand eventually foiled a tenacious Tahiti in oppressive heat. He helped New Zealand reach the round of 16 at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup. Matt Todd-Smith Nelson College caused a boil over at the National Championships when they became the first South Island school in 25 years (and only the second overall) to win the title. In the final they beat defending National and Auckland Champions Sacred Heart College 2-1. Earlier they eliminated leading Auckland contenders Mount Albert Grammar School and St. Kentigern College. The team also won the local league and cup double. Todd-Smith scored the winning goal in the national final and shared captaincy duties of the team. An accomplished midfielder he can pass with accuracy to create chances for others and beat a defender with his speed and strength on the ball. |
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March 2023
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OrganisationCollege Sport Media is dedicated to telling the story of successful young sportspeople in New Zealand
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