West Ham United defender Winston Reid is doing his bit to unearth the next generation of New Zealand footballers by funding a new annual scholarship for two young Kiwi players
West Ham United defender Winston Reid is doing his bit to unearth the next generation of New Zealand footballers by funding a new annual scholarship for two young Kiwi players.
The All Whites captain, who signed for the Hammers after starring for the All Whites at the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals, has set up the scholarship for the players to attend the Wellington Phoenix Football Academy at the prestigious Scots College in Wellington.
The first two boys selected for the Winston Reid Scholarship were unveiled by the Phoenix this week as young Aucklanders Sarpreet Singh, 16, and Max Mata, 15.
"I've been very privileged in life that I've had the opportunity to do this, so for me personally it's the least I can do," Reid told the pair via video link from London.
"I hope there's a lot more young players [from New Zealand] in the next generation who will come over here and succeed and hopefully do better than I've done and maybe even push on to a higher level."
Reid, who moved to Denmark at age ten and came up through the youth ranks at FC Midtjylland before joining West Ham, told the duo they would have to learn both how to play football and how to live independently if they were going to follow in his footsteps.
"You'll have to learn how to cook by yourself. You can't rely on mum's food any more if you want to make it overseas!" he joked with the boys.
"It's going to be tough, but eventually you guys will get there. Just listen to your teachers, listen to your coaches, and your parents as well."
The All Whites captain, who signed for the Hammers after starring for the All Whites at the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals, has set up the scholarship for the players to attend the Wellington Phoenix Football Academy at the prestigious Scots College in Wellington.
The first two boys selected for the Winston Reid Scholarship were unveiled by the Phoenix this week as young Aucklanders Sarpreet Singh, 16, and Max Mata, 15.
"I've been very privileged in life that I've had the opportunity to do this, so for me personally it's the least I can do," Reid told the pair via video link from London.
"I hope there's a lot more young players [from New Zealand] in the next generation who will come over here and succeed and hopefully do better than I've done and maybe even push on to a higher level."
Reid, who moved to Denmark at age ten and came up through the youth ranks at FC Midtjylland before joining West Ham, told the duo they would have to learn both how to play football and how to live independently if they were going to follow in his footsteps.
"You'll have to learn how to cook by yourself. You can't rely on mum's food any more if you want to make it overseas!" he joked with the boys.
"It's going to be tough, but eventually you guys will get there. Just listen to your teachers, listen to your coaches, and your parents as well."
I've been very privileged in life that I've had the opportunity to do this, so for me personally it's the least I can do
Sarpreet, an attacking midfielder who has played for the New Zealand Under-17 side, said a professional football contract was his dream, and to be part of the Wellington Phoenix was a great feeling.
"We get to train with the first team occasionally, and you can never get training as good as that anywhere else in the country, so it's a good start."
Mata, a striker who has played age-grade football for the New Zealand A team, said talking to Reid was a real motivation. "It just makes me want to be a pro even more."
Wellington Phoenix general manager David Dome said the scholarship came about during West Ham's tour of New Zealand in July 2014, when Auckland-born Reid mentioned he wanted to do something to help increase the football talent back home.
The Premiership star will donate NZ$25,000 each year for the two scholarships, which are also subsidised by the Phoenix and Scots College.
The funding will cover school fees, accommodation and the cost of attending the Phoenix Academy.
Headmaster Graeme Yule said the idea behind the scholarship was to provide talented youths with a solid academic grounding so they could access pathways such the United States college system.
"What's important is that these kids work hard inside and outside the classroom, so they've got a Plan B and can make it academically,” said Yule.
Scots College also offer a basketball scholarship funded by former pupil and NBA player Steven Adams, who is a center with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
"We get to train with the first team occasionally, and you can never get training as good as that anywhere else in the country, so it's a good start."
Mata, a striker who has played age-grade football for the New Zealand A team, said talking to Reid was a real motivation. "It just makes me want to be a pro even more."
Wellington Phoenix general manager David Dome said the scholarship came about during West Ham's tour of New Zealand in July 2014, when Auckland-born Reid mentioned he wanted to do something to help increase the football talent back home.
The Premiership star will donate NZ$25,000 each year for the two scholarships, which are also subsidised by the Phoenix and Scots College.
The funding will cover school fees, accommodation and the cost of attending the Phoenix Academy.
Headmaster Graeme Yule said the idea behind the scholarship was to provide talented youths with a solid academic grounding so they could access pathways such the United States college system.
"What's important is that these kids work hard inside and outside the classroom, so they've got a Plan B and can make it academically,” said Yule.
Scots College also offer a basketball scholarship funded by former pupil and NBA player Steven Adams, who is a center with the Oklahoma City Thunder.