Howieson, who recently turned 18, plays with Championship side Burnley and as well as making appearances at the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup and the 2012 Olympic Games, he also earned four ‘A’ international caps with the All Whites in 2012.
The award recognises the ability of young players to balance their educational achievements with their football careers, an acknowledgement Burnley’s academy manager Jason Blake says is well deserved.
“We are talking about a player who has had regular first-team involvement in training, who has travelled with the team recently and played for his country in the Olympic Games in the summer,” Blake says.
Despite having a full-on year for both club and country, the young Kiwi has maintained his education programme, even taking on extra sessions at college.
“With all the additional things he’s been doing, to maintain his devotion to his education, as well as kicking on on the pitch, is a great example to all the players in the academy that no matter what stage they are at they invest time off the pitch to protect their futures,” Blake says.
Howieson signed a professional contract with Burnley in the northern summer after making his first-team debut in April and has continued his education in line with the club’s other second year scholars.
For more on New Zealand Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

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