Dan Nelson, 16, has been selected to play in the Oceania Football Federation (OFC) men’s under-16 championship, starting in Tahiti later this month.
At present, he is a member of the Wellington Phoenix Football Club Academy.
He attends St Patrick’s College, Silverstream, boards at the school’s hostel and trains with the club after school.
Dan said taking part in the tournament would be an amazing opportunity.
"I am so excited.
"I can’t wait to represent the fern."
Last week, before he was told of his inclusion in the squad, he was very nervous to see a coach was ringing him.
"I knew it could go either way."
He was grateful for the coaches who had influenced his football career already.
"I have been incredibly lucky to have had exceptional coaches through school, Gore Wanderers, Thistle, Southern Stars, Southland United and now at the Phoenix Academy.
"I’ve got great team-mates that have motivated me and keep me enthusiastic and positive."
In 2022, Dan was one of two Southern United players to be identified as an under-17 All Whites player of interest.
One of his goals is to play for the national men’s team.
Dan was also grateful for the financial support he had received from Gore and Districts Memorial RSA, the Mataura Licensing Trust, Southland Football, and Gore people.
Gore Wanderers president Angus Carse said the club was proud of Dan and his latest achievement.
From a quite a young age it was obvious Dan was a gifted player, he said.
"Talent only takes you so far. It’s the work put in that no-one can see that makes the difference.
"It’s his work-rate and determination that has got him to where he is today and I believe this is only the beginning of his journey.
He hoped Dan would be an inspiration for other young players in the South to "dream big".
"To have a player come through the ranks of football in the South and go on to represent nationally is massive for the community."
There are 23 players in the squad, 17 based in New Zealand and six playing overseas in Australia, England and Germany.
In a press release, under-16 head coach Martin Bullock said he enjoyed gathering together a new age group of players.
"I’m really pleased with the squad we have assembled after extensive scouting and identification games."
‘We have seen from recent tournaments that the OFC nations are developing really quickly so these are going to be challenging games, especially for this age group where it is your first taste of international football."
It was an opportunity for players to take part in competitive matches and learn more about what it took to be successful in the game, he said.
• New Zealand have been drawn in group A at the tournament and will play Vanuatu (July 29), Fiji (August 1) and Cook Islands (August 4).
All games will be played at Stade Fautaua, Papeete, Tahiti.
