Club to launch its first Player Development Programme in New Zealand
Wed 25 November 2020, 20:00|
Tottenham Hotspur
We are delighted to announce the launch of our first Elite Player Development Programme in New Zealand.
The five-year programme will be delivered from 2021 in partnership with Scots College, Wellington – an IB World school with a proud history of over 100 years in education.
It will see the Club’s global football development team work alongside the College’s own football coaches, using renowned methods taken directly from our Academy to maximise the potential of young players.
Club to launch its first Player Development Programme in New Zealand
• Five-year programme to be delivered in partnership with Scots College from 2021.
• Club to bring world-renowned coaching methods developed in its Academy to the College’s young players.
• Tottenham Hotspur is currently home to New Zealand’s most-capped international footballer, Ria Percival.
• Programme to follow successful player development model already carried out in USA, Asia and Australia, as well as colleges in the UK.
Our coaches will work with selected male and female players at Scots College and ensure a clear player development pathway through integration with local football federations.
The Club is currently home to New Zealand’s most-capped international footballer, Ria Percival, who has made a record 150 appearances for her country and will engage with players on the programme, providing inspiration and advice.
Ria said: “It’s great to hear the Club are partnering with a school in New Zealand and our incredible coaches will be working with and helping to develop male and female players from my home country.”
Alongside player development, the Club will run a coach education programme to maintain excellence in footballing standards and best practice, with tailored workshops for both elite and grassroots coaches in the region, collaborating with local clubs, school partners and football federations.
The model has proven hugely successful across the Club’s existing global football development partnerships throughout the world, including:
• Florida Elite, USA
• New England Futbol Club, USA
• Hong Kong Football Club
• University of Wollongong, Australia
• Nudgee College, Australia
Programmes are also delivered in the UK at New City College, Hertford Regional College and Barnet & Southgate College.
Andy Rogers, Head of Global Coaching, Tottenham Hotspur, said: “We are delighted to deliver our first ever player development programme in New Zealand, working in partnership with Scots College.
“Our international model has proven successful in the US, Asia and Australia in developing young players through authentic Tottenham Hotspur coaching.
“We look forward to working closely with young players from the College and local coaches, helping to drive standards of player development in the region.”
Graeme Yule, Headmaster, Scots College, said: “This is an exciting partnership, with both ourselves and Tottenham Hotspur focused on the all-round development of these young players.
“With the College’s move to co-education and the introduction of girls to our Football Club, this partnership provides additional pathway options for these young female and male players and further support and development for our coaching team.”
Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, the first year of the partnership will be delivered virtually through online sessions that have proven popular with young players on the Club’s player development programmes throughout the pandemic. Tottenham Hotspur coaches will then be based at Scots College for 12 weeks per year from 2022.
