Auckland FC has held its first Development Centre training camp as it looks to create more pathways into the professional game.
Twenty-six young players from 12 partner clubs attended the three-day training camp, part of its Youth Development Club Partnership, an initiative designed to nurture young talent and deepen the club’s connections with football communities in the Northern and WAIBOP regions.
Players aged 14-16 from local clubs, including those from Auckland, attended alongside those from further afield such as Hamilton and Tauranga. All clubs have an affiliation with Auckland FC through its Talent Development Programme (TDP).
The young hopefuls got to spend time in a professional football environment, meeting senior coaches, players and testing themselves against their contemporaries. As well as training and playing, they also took part in education workshops focused on the Black Night Football philosophy, strength and conditioning, and mental preparation.
Doug Kors is head of player recruitment at Auckland FC. The former Socceroos and Sydney FC analyst said the talent camp was great opportunity for the development players to get familiar with a high-performance sporting environment.
“It was great for us to get at a look at the young players coming through. We’re a club dominated by local talent, it’s part of who we are and what we set out to do in terms of providing pathways into the game. I don’t see that changing anytime soon,” said Kors.
Auckland FC officially launched its Youth Development Club Partnership back in October 2024. The Club Partnership is the first step on the player pathway that progresses through the Rebel Sport Development Centre, reserves and the first team and potentially beyond.
“For players it provides them a chance to understand what it takes to make it professionally,” added Kors.
“Yes, it requires skill and talent, but also eating right, a tactical understanding of the game, as well as level of mental resilience. We try a provide all the players who come through with a basic understanding of that.”
Nick Becker, Auckland FC CEO was impressed by what he saw.
“There is a huge amount of untapped talent in New Zealand,” says Becker.
“Thanks to the relationships we have with partner clubs, Auckland FC can become a vehicle that helps talented young boys and girls realise their potential and make it at a professional level, right here in Auckland. That’s huge for the development of the game.
“Beyond that, our ownership structure means the connections exist to for the most talented of professionals to try to make it in Europe.”
Auckland FC’s Youth Development Club Partnership brings together a dynamic group of 18 TDP clubs.
This structured pathway ensures young players from diverse backgrounds can access the resources and opportunities they need to develop their skills and pursue their football dreams.
