A squad of 24 boys under the auspices of the Football Otago Youth Development Trust has been named for the Northern Ireland Super Cup in July.
The likely lads — who hail from Otago, Southland, North Otago and South Canterbury — will have an intensive training programme from February 11 for about a month before a trim to 18 players, the remaining six staying involved as non-travelling reserves.
Long-serving Caversham/Royals player and coach Tim Horner, who is leading the under-16 players to Coleraine alongside Andy Duncan, said settling on a squad after several trials had been a difficult process.
"It’s the toughest aspect of the job, I guess.
"It’s great to offer this opportunity to kids. Unfortunately, there is a process we’ve got to go through in terms of whittling down the squad to the number we need.
"We had a really good turnout in terms of both numbers and ability, and we took our time to ensure everyone got a really good opportunity.
"There were lots of long discussions among about six of us who were selecting, and there were lots of fine margins."
Horner has been to the tournament formerly known as the Milk Cup once, when the Otago trust last sent a team in 2018, and Duncan has been several times.
The tournament attracts youth sides from elite clubs, including Premier League clubs, and the on-field action is no summer jaunt.
"It’s a high level of football — that’s why we do it, to expose these kids to a higher level of competition," Horner said.
"We’ve been really impressed with the talent coming through.
"They are good keen footballers. I think we will be sending a really strong squad."
There is a name in the squad familiar to fans of a rival winter code.
Zach Cashmore, one of the youngest in the squad, is the son of former All Blacks fullback Adrian Cashmore.
An intriguing prospect is strapping Maori Hill goalkeeper Will Laws, who surprisingly was second in a fitness test, while talented Waitaki Boys’ High School centre back Jack White flies the flag for Oamaru football.
Horner paid tribute to trustee Neil McKenzie for the work he had done to revive the youth team.
"Without Neil, it wouldn’t be happening.
"He’s been working away in the background trying to get it back up and running since Covid."
Super Cup
Otago squad
Sam Drake, William Osborne, Sam Caldwell, Fletcher Hawken, Fergus Barrons (Dunedin City Royals), Toby Flanders, Kian Geeves (Green Island), Will Laws, Finlay Williamson, Lochie Ing-Aram, Zach Cashmore, Oliver Devereux (Maori Hill), Cormac De La Harpe (Northern), Ryan Walker, Shabir Nabizada (Roslyn-Wakari), Samuel Sheppard, Zachary Tull, Angus Manson, Oliver Milne-Wahren (Southland), Tadhg Harrington, Marshall Solomon, Dalton Todd, Max Roger (South Canterbury), Jack White (Oamaru).
