New Zealand under-19 schoolboys national football team


NicknameSchools, Schoolboys
AssociationNZSSFA
ConfederationOFC
Head coachSimon Foy
Home stadiumvarious
FIFA codeNZL

The New Zealand national under-19 secondary schools football team represents New Zealand in association football at under-19 international age-group level. It is controlled by the New Zealand Secondary Schools Football Association which is affiliated to New Zealand Football.

History

Overview

The New Zealand U19 schoolboys national team "fills a vital role in the development of the international player pool in New Zealand in the gap between the under-17 and under-20 programs."
The under-19 schoolboys national team gives talented domestic players, who either graduated the under-17 national team, missed U17 selection due to age, were overlooked by New Zealand Football or have undergone significant development in football since the under-17 process, an opportunity to represent New Zealand before the national under-20 program.
The process for representation at U19 schoolboys level follows this pattern: secondary schools around New Zealand nominate their best players to go forward for provincial trials. As all of New Zealand's top youth players also attend secondary school full-time, the player pool for under-19 selections is the same as that of the under-17 program. From these trials, 36 players are named to attend a national selection camp. From this camp, a final 18-man squad including 2 goalkeepers is selected.

Competitions

The team travels to the United Kingdom every two years and plays against the Centenary Shield U18 and U19 national teams of England, Scotland, Wales, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. They have also toured Austria, Korea and Australia, and in 2018 will be touring America.

Recent Success

In 2013, the New Zealand under-19 schoolboys national team toured the United Kingdom under former Leeds United defender and now acclaimed NZ coach, Danny Hay, and they achieved the best set of results in history. The team drew 1–1 with both England and Scotland, beat Wales 2-1 and were victorious over prestigious five nations Centenary Shield champions, Northern Ireland, 2–0.
As a result of the team's impressive performances in 2013, numerous players including Judd Baker and Sam Brotherton were offered trials with professional clubs in the UK. Judd Baker was eventually signed by Premier League side Swansea City A.F.C. and is also a New Zealand under-20 international. Sam Brotherton, vice-captain of the 2013 squad, has since signed for Sunderland A.F.C. and represented New Zealand at U20, U23 and full international level. Arguably the most successful graduate since the program's inception in 2000 is goalkeeper, Stefan Marinovic, who as a result of his performances in Austria 2008, was offered trials with Everton FC, FC Zurich and FC Schalke 04. He is now the first-choice goalkeeper for the New Zealand senior national team and plays for the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS.
A number of others have pursued their careers in Australia's highest professional football league, the A-League, as well as in the semi-professional/professional Australian National Premier Leagues. The team is however particularly well known for producing recruits to America's top college competition, the NCAA Division 1. Others have remained in New Zealand and continued their playing careers in New Zealand's top football league, the ASB Premiership.

Rivalries

The New Zealand Schoolboys' loose rivals are Trans-Tasman neighbors Australia. The two teams' history dates back to 25 August 1938, where the NZ Schoolboys played their first international in Australia at Arlington Park, Dulwich Hill, New South Wales. In July 2016, Australia beat the New Zealand Schoolboys 2–0 on home soil.

Coaching staff

Current squad

The following players were named in the New Zealand U19 Schoolboys final 18-man squad on 10 December 2015 to tour Australia in July 2016.
Pos.PlayerDate of birth AppsGoalsSchoolClubFederation Talent Centre
GKCalvin Lee5 July 1998 30Dilworth SchoolEastern Suburbs AFCAuckland
GKLiam Outtrim9 June 1998 30Palmerston North Boys' HighManawatu UnitedCentral
DFLiam Brown27 November 1998 30Howick CollegeFencibles United AFCUnattached
DFClarke Foulds6 October 1998 20Westlake Boys' High SchoolWaitakere UnitedNorthern
DFJacob Masseurs9 July 1998 30Wellington CollegeWanderers SCCapital
DFThomas McCloy12 January 1999 31Sacred Heart CollegeOnehunga Sports FCAuckland
DFAnton Moore22 January 1999 30Mount Albert Grammar SchoolWaitakere UnitedAuckland
DFChris Walden14 May 1998 20Howick CollegeFencibles United AFCAuckland
MFQuinton Kipara25 February 1998 30St. Peter's College, CambridgeWaiBop UnitedWaikato Bay of Plenty
MFRyan Singh2 November 1998 30Albany Senior High SchoolEast Coast Bays AFCNorthern
MFLachlan McIsaac8 January 1998 31Hamilton Boys' High SchoolWaiBop UnitedWaikato Bay of Plenty
MFZachary Newdick22 August 1998 32St. Paul's CollegiateHamilton Wanderers AFCWaikato Bay of Plenty
MFVan Roland20 February 1999 00Nelson CollegeNelson FalconsUnattached
MFOliver Whyte20 January 2000 30Scots CollegeWellington Phoenix FCCapital
FWDrew Farnsworth31 March 1998 21New Plymouth Boys' High SchoolTeam TaranakiCentral
FWMitchel Hanmore15 March 1998 32Excellere CollegeNorth Force FCUnattached
FWJake Mechell19 Jan 1999 31St. Peter's College, CambridgeWaiBop UnitedWaikato Bay of Plenty
FWFraser Norrington10 October 1998 31Rongotai CollegeMiramar Rangers AFCCapital

Caps and goals correct at December 10, 2015

Results & fixtures

2013

2016