Nix training, then off to school
Keegan Smith stands out at Wellington Phoenix training. While the rest of the players arrive at the team’s base, at Martin Luckie Park, dressed in hoodies and trackies, the 18-year-old goalkeeper walks past in his Scots College uniform.
It puts his age, and his elevation from New Zealand’s National Youth League to Hyundai A-league starter within the space of 12 months, into perspective.
But despite the fact he is still at school, Phoenix team-mate Dario Vidosic, a 23-cap Australia international, praised the schoolboy for his first two performances, in a draw against Adelaide United and defeat to Sydney FC, after he was handed a chance to play professional football much quicker than many would have predicted.
‘‘That was me when I was back at the Roar when I first started,’’ said Vidosic, when asked if he had ever been on a team where one of the players arrived to training in their school uniform.
‘‘He’s doing really well and we are happy for him and we have a few boys that are all doing well and doing their part.
‘‘It’s good for the young boys and we all know [what it was like] when we were in that position. I’m talking to Keegan a fair bit, telling him the hard work has certainly started now and you’ve only just begun,’’ he said.
Smith, who is a year 13 student, has beaten out contracted players Lewis Italiano and Oli Sail for the starting role in the first two games.
He is expected to start again when the Phoenix take on Melbourne City, who have won their opening two games, in Melbourne tomorrow.