Teens take game to Ireland
‘‘This is much bigger with teams from all across the world.’’
Footballers Josh McCarroll and Dan McKay are two excited teenagers.
The 13-year-old Upper Hutt City juniors have been selected in the National YouthMSports team to play a Super Cup competition in Northern Ireland in July.
A year ago, the pair were in Sydney for a M Sports Cup in a New Zealand side, which did well to finish fifth, but the Super Cup is a big step up.
Since starting in 1983 it has become one of the highest rated youth tournaments in the world, attracting teams from Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania.
‘‘This is much bigger with teams from all across the world,’’ Dan said.
‘‘It’s really exciting because you will get the chance to see how you compare with these other players.
‘‘That’s the biggest part of it for me,’’ the Year 9 Hutt International Boys’ School student said.
Upper Hutt club players since starting the game as six-year-olds, the pair were in a well performed Storm 14th Grade side last season.
Along with that already have a proven selection pedigree over their recent footballing seasons.
They are part of the Capital Football Federation’s Talent Centre and Dan has twice been selected for the National Talent Centre.
‘‘I’m really looking forward to it all and what I can learn on and off the field,’’ Josh said.
A centre or left back, the St Pat’s Silverstream student said the five-day tournament is part of what will be a big experience.
Ahead of play in Ireland, theM Sports squad will spend four days in Barcelona training under coaches from the La Liga league and playing three Spanish youth sides.
They will then travel to London for work with English premiership academy coaches and more warm-up games against London academy sides before the MSports cup proper.
The boys, who are both very committed Manchester United supporters, hope to carry on in the game and play professionally.
Both said they owe a lot to the support they have received locally from Pedro Garcias, the City club coaching director, and their team coach, Dean Chandler.