2 Dec 2009

NZ Football launches talent centres

6:52 pm on 2 December 2009

New Zealand Football has launched three national talent centres to speed up the international progress of New Zealand teams.

The aim is to identify and nurture talented young players from as early as 12 years old in preparation for FIFA World Cups at Under 17 and Under 20 level.

Talent scouts have identified players at national age-grade tournaments with numbers boosted by a local talent selected by federation coaching staff.

The first intake of about 300 boys and girls aged from 12 to 16 will get their first taste of the level of preparation required to reach the Under-17 squads.

The initial camps will be be held at Auckland Grammar School, St Patrick's College (Silverstream), in Upper Hutt and St Bede's College in Christchurch from January 11.