Olé Football Academy


The Olé Football Academy, commonly referred to as Olé, is a national association football centre based in the suburb of Porirua in Wellington, New Zealand. Considered the premier football academy in New Zealand, Olé have produced a number of New Zealand internationals in both men's and women's football. Founded in 1997 by Dave Wilson and his son, Michael, the academy has been directed by Declan Edge since 2012.
Olé Football Academy is currently represented at the senior level by Central Premier League side Western Suburbs, and also shares a partnership with Team Wellington. Internationally, Olé have formed a partnership with Swedish club Torslanda IK, now coached by Edge; players and coaches are exchanged regularly. Olé partnered with ISPS Handa Premiership club Eastern Suburbs for the 2018–19 season, in which Eastern Suburbs won the title for the first time in their history – a success largely attributed to the Olé academy, whose graduates consisted of the majority of the team.

Notable graduates

The academy's two most notable graduates are current PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ryan Thomas and Beşiktaş winger Tyler Boyd. Others listed are either current internationals, or have represented a professional team outside New Zealand following graduation from Olé Football Academy.
NameNationalityPositionCurrent clubCaps
Defender Houston Dynamo0
Defender Minnesota United3

Forward Beşiktaş5
Forward Chicago Fire1
Defender SV DFS0
Midfielderretired69
Forward Falkenbergs FF0
Goalkeeperretired8
Midfielderunattached2
Forward FC Helsingør2
Midfielder Torslanda IK7
Forward Torslanda IK0
Forward Wellington Phoenix1
Defender Grasshopper Club Zürich1
Midfielder PSV Eindhoven17