Fourteen-year-old Cruz Pietersen from West Coast Rangers, and 17-year-old Grace Duncan from FC Tauranga Moana, are off to experience what life is like at a Premier League football club – thanks to Auckland FC.
Both players won the much-coveted MVP Award at Western Springs AFC’s four-day under-17s football tournament which concluded on Sunday.
The pair will now travel on an all-expenses paid two-week experience at AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Grace, who plays as a striker, has represented New Zealand at the U17 Women’s World Cup. She loves her football and has a long-term goal of achieving a scholarship at a prestigious U.S. College or UK club.
“I’m not sure it has quite sunk in yet, i really can’t believe it,” says Grace.
“It is an incredible opportunity and i can’t wait to get over there and see what the facilities are like, what training is like and hopefully meet some of the players.
“Thank you to Auckland FC for this amazing opportunity and their support this year, along with my coaches in Tauranga.”
The experience will include flights, accommodation and training alongside their age-group equivalents. There may also be a chance to watch a Premier League fixture, should dates allow. The package has been organised by Auckland FC as part of their multi-club ownership model.
Director of Football at the club Terry McFlynn, says the prize is further proof of the club’s commitment to developing professional player pathways for New Zealand’s most talented young footballers.
“We’re incredibly grateful to AFC Bournemouth for agreeing to work with us on this initiative and to Western Springs AFC for allowing us to be a part of their tournament,” says McFlynn.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Grace and Cruz to experience what life is like at a Premier League club and what it takes to be successful. Congratulations to the pair, they both thoroughly deserve it.”
Auckland FC has formal agreements with seventeen clubs across the North Island as part of its Talent Development Centre (TDC), providing additional training and resources to support the development of young players.
Western Springs AFC was one of the first clubs to join TDC pathway. It’s tournament one of the biggest in the region, attracting more than 950 young players annually.
“We’re delighted to have Auckland FC and AFC Bournemouth onboard with this amazing, potentially life-changing opportunity for Grace and Cruz,” says Tracy Cunnington, Western Springs AFC Tournament Director.
“It reinforces our desire for this to be the premier tournament in the country at this age-group.”
Looking after the winners at AFC Bournemouth will be Sam Gisborne, Head of Academy.
“We look forward to hosting the pair, further developing their skills and showing them what life at AFC Bournemouth is all about,” says Gisborne.
