Football: Golden shot for Jack Bates

Papamoa's Jack Bates thought making one Ricki Herbert Football Academy squad to play overseas was special but he has been selected in the academy's under-16 squad to play in Barcelona and London in September and October.

Bates (15) was a standout player on the tour of Australia with the under-14 elite squad from the academy in December 2011, earning a man-of-the-match award and finding out how tough football is at the next level. ``It was my first time in Australia and we learned a lot quickly,'' said Bates.

``We lost 4-2 to a team and then the next day we drew with them. What I got out of that was teamwork and confidence, and knowing what you are up against and how to deal with it.''

The clincher in Bates making the team was when he played one of his best games against a team coached by Herbert's son Kale, who is one of the coaches at the academy.

Bates was playing for Tauranga City under-19s in Napier and ended up getting player of the tournament and catching the younger Herbert's eye. And now Bates is hoping to impress the football scouts at the games later this year.

``Like all young footballers my goal is to be a professional player one day and I would love to play for the All Whites.

``This tour is very important to reaching that goal as there will be lots of people over there watching me and everyone else play, so I will probably have to be at my best to stand out. I hear that they are more aggressive and rough over in Europe but that's all part of the experience.''

Bates has always played as a striker and is a born-and-bred Everton fan.

His family came out to New Zealand when he was seven and he has impressed coaches ever since, particularly with his speed running on to through balls in the box.

Bates is grateful to the academy for giving him the opportunities.

The only downside is that he has to raise nearly $8000 to pay for the trip to Europe and he hopes the local Papamoa community will get behind his fundraising ventures.