NZS: New Zealand Soccer has accepted with pleasure an invitation to send an U15 Boys National Team to Italy to take part in an annual International Tournament in May this year, alongside some of the world’s glamour clubs.

The invitation to the prestigious tournament will provide a world-class football experience for the squad of 18 players and management team that will accompany them to Rome.

The Mario Vespignani International Tournament is highly reputed throughout Europe and in its four years has always featured representative teams from the glamour clubs. This year is no exception. Italian clubs Juventus, Roma, Lazio, Parma and host team Civitavecchiese will be joined by English Premier League club Everton, Maebashi Junior-Japan and New Zealand in the 8 team competition.

The Tournament is invitation only and came about while NZS Director of Football Paul Smalley and Director of Technical Development Ricki Herbert were in Italy with NZ U23 Olympic Captain Steven Old during his development period at Parma in late 2003.

All players selected have come through the NZS International Player Development Programme and have been profiled at Regional/National Academies. The tournament is not a one off event, rather it meets the criteria for international activity for this age group as stated in the NZS Coaching and Education Strategy, something Ricki Herbert says is vital to the players future development. “If we are to be successful at senior and FIFA age group level on the international stage, it is important our players are given every opportunity to experience international football and the challenges it brings at a young age. These players will be playing against some of the best in the world in their age group but more importantly will gain a better understanding of what it is to cope with all the demands of international play. Travel, health, training, food, weather, stadiums and many other aspects of playing international football will be new to the players – and that is before they cross the line on to the field of play! They can however only learn from these experiences and be better players in the future as a result. This is a fantastic opportunity for the players and coaching staff alike to progress along the NZS International Player Pathway.”

While a year younger than the maximum age allowed for the 2005 FIFA U17 World Championship, it is an opportunity for many of the players to push for inclusion in the squad for that qualifying campaign says Herbert. “I have two key roles at this age group. One is to identify and nurture the best talent available the other is to identify players we believe capable of progressing further as international players. Such a tour at this age will not always be about results either, our priority is the long term development of the players and coaching staff.”

The tournament also signals an opportunity for Stu Jacobs and Greg Hough to further develop their coaching careers within the NZS Coaching and Education Scheme. Both former internationals are working towards their International Team Coaching Licence, the highest qualification provided by NZS. This follows the recent appointment of Brian Turner as Assistant Coach to the U23 Olympic Men’s Team complimenting his work in the Coaching and Education Scheme on the Elite Player Elite Coach Programme. These appointments reflect NZS policy of appointing from it’s internationally recognised Coaching and Education Scheme.

Hough recently coached United Soccer 1 to the National Youth League title and is thrilled to have received the call. “I was honoured to be offered this opportunity by Ricki to further develop my coaching career. More importantly however is the chance to play a part in preparing this squad of young players for international football. I have to pinch myself when rolling off the names of those we will be sharing the stage with, Juventus, Lazio, Roma and Everton – this is a truly fantastic opportunity for Stu Jacobs, myself and most importantly, the players.”

The Tournament takes place from the 4th to the 6th May. Players will assemble in Auckland on April 30th before flying out to Rome.

18 Player Squad

No Surname First Name Federation Position

12 FENERIDIS Alex United Soccer 1 Midfield

5 BEGUELY Jack United Soccer 1 Defender

7 NIYONSABA John Soccer2 Forward

2 ROBSON Nick Soccer2 Defender

3 HOGG Ian Soccer2 Defender

11 PUGA Camilo Soccer2 Forward

8 McGEORGE Adam Force 3 Midfield

9 KELLY Thomas Capital Soccer Forward

4 EAGAR Michael Capital Soccer Midfield

1 TARRANT Nicholas Capital Soccer Goalkeeper

13 PETERS Sam Capital Soccer Defender

6 MATHER Tim Capital Soccer Defender

14 KATHROULAS Paul Capital Soccer Defender

10 UNG Andrew Capital Soccer Midfield

18 THOMAS Mathew Mainland Soccer Goalkeeper

15 KERDEMELISDIS Paris Mainland Soccer Defender

16 FAIRHURST George Mainland Soccer Defender

17 FLEMING Patrick Soccersouth Midfield

Team Management

HEAD COACH Stu Jacobs

ASSISTANT HEAD COACH Greg Hough

DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT Ricki Herbert

NATIONAL PHYSIOTHERAPIST Roland Jeffery

TEAM MANAGER Steve Williamson

NATIONAL GOALKEEPER COACH Mick Leonard

NATIONAL EXERCISE & SPORT SCIENCE CO-ORDINATOR John Lythe

5th International Mario Vespignani International Football Tournament

Civitavecchia, Italy

May 2004