An Asia Pacific Football academy is to open in Canterbury next year in partnership with English Premier League Club Everton.
The academy will provide full schooling for 13 to 18-year-olds as well as 20 hours of football training per week.
Performance Director Rob Sherman says the programme will provide a pathway for talented footballers into the professional game.
He says there is every possibility some graduates will turn out for Everton.
Mr Sherman says players will be recruited from New Zealand and Oceania next year, with the academy opening to footballers from throughout the Asia Pacific region in 2011.
