New partnership helps junior footballers strive for excellence

Toward the end of 2021, Massey University Football Club Director of Football Donald Piper approached Adam Rose, Director of Junior Football at Red Sox JFC with the idea of fulfilling a need in the community by setting up a football academy. Mr Piper had already shared the foundation of the idea to the team at the Sport and Rugby Institute and a proposal was approved.

The facilities provided by a football academy are fundamental to developing young players and offer opportunities to strive for excellence through guided learning and support. Until now, the keen junior footballers of Palmerston North had to travel to Wellington or the Wairarapa to experience an academy.

The work between the three institutes has already resulted in success, after an impressive first term. Registrations were opened during the summer school holidays and had an overwhelming amount of interest, with all 60 slots being filled by players from several football clubs around the city and beyond.

There were no trials held to join the Academy, with the only requirements being a positive player attitude, a love for football, and a desire to learn. Volunteer coaches at Red Sox and some keen players from the Massey first team came together to oversee sessions and were vital in making the opportunity a reality for the junior footballers.

Mr Rose says term one exceeded all expectations, thanks to the effort of all involved and the quality of the facilities provided by Massey University.

“We are very privileged to be able to use the facilities at Massey. They are second to none and enable us to deliver a great experience to the players. We have really filled a need here in Palmerston North and it shows with all spots for term one and two being filled, and the available spaces for term three being filled within two days of advertising.”

Mr Rose says he’s thankful to everyone involved who helped make this happen.

Massey’s Sport Advancement Manager Jacob Oram says he’s thrilled to see the establishment of the Academy, and says Massey’s involvement in the partnership provides real opportunity for the young athletes.

“It’s awesome to see the Massey Football Club combine with a local junior club to provide development opportunities for up-and-coming footballers in the region. Bringing this Academy on to campus utilises Massey’s fantastic facilities and demonstrates the value of community partnerships.”