Football: Clague gets big chance at academy

Belvedere Group Tauranga City United's 18-year-old defender Will Clague (15). Photo / George Novak

One of Tauranga City United's brightest young talents has been given an opportunity to taste life inside one of the country's foremost youth football academies.

Will Clague, who finished schooling at Otumoetai College this year and hopes to chase a scholarship in the United States in 2015, flies to Wellington tomorrow, en route to the Ole Football Academy in Porirua.

The invitation comes on the back of a string of strong performances in the Blues' run towards promotion this winter and a number of promising showings at the age grade nationals.

The 18-year-old will have three days to stand out under the watchful eye of former Tauranga footballing identity Declan Edge, with the weekly Wednesday night match between prospects expected to be his first chance to impress.

Recent exams have meant the right back has not had much football of late but he has been training with the under-19 WaiBOP side to boost his fitness ahead of the trial. "I'm just trying to get in as much football as I can," he said.

"I can't wait for the opportunity, I've been after it for a while. If all goes well, they have said they would look to train me for a 6-12 month period. Hopefully, they like how I play football, because that's where I want to be."

He said the academy had developed a strong reputation in the Bay, especially since Edge arrived in 2012.

"Most of the lads that are coming through now, like Tyler Boyd and the lads going into the Phoenix, and guys I've asked who are on scholarships, a lot of them have gone through the Ole Academy. I just want to take it with both hands."

The academy, which has played a role in developing the likes of Ryan Thomas, Boyd, Mike Wilson and Craig Henderson, generally has between 40-60 players on its books.

The facility is based on the Ajax academy, with players staying in dormitories on site under the care of experts, including specialist chefs and sports nutritionists.