Football
Local talent will be given every chance to be part of the Heartland Wairarapa team who make their debut in the national youth football league next year.
A 30-strong squad of players will be required, with all under 20 except for five "seniors", only two of whom can be used in any one game.
Wairarapa United Central League coach Phil Keinzley is a member of the Heartland Wairarapa management committee and believes there are at least "five or six" youngsters from this region who have shown the potential to perform creditably at a higher level.
And he is optimistic that number will increase after a "scouting" process which will see players from the likes of the Douglas Villa, Greytown and Masterton clubs, who are contesting Capital Football competitions and the first XIs from all colleges in Wairarapa, put under the microscope.
"It would be nice to think the number of locals in the youth team would run into double figures ... it's a big ask but certainly not impossible," Keinzley said, adding a coaching regime spearheaded by Central League regular Miroslav Tvaroh was starting to pay rich dividends as far as the development of the region's most promising players was concerned.
"He (Tvaroh) is doing a massive job, the talent base is growing all the time," Keinzley said. "We're probably still a couple of years away from reaping the full benefits of it but we're certainly heading in the right direction."
Pleasing too for Heartland Wairarapa has been the support given them by Capital Football who will be encouraging eligible players from all over the Wellington area to make themselves available for their national youth league team.
"They understand the importance of making it work for the good of football in the whole of the region," Keinzley said. "There's absolutely no point in being there if we are not going to be competitive, that's the bottom line."
What makes the competitive angle so important is that Heartland Wairarapa are keen to bid for a place in the national premier league for 2014-15 and a strong showing from their youth side would obviously help their cause. Conversely, a poor showing could have exactly the opposite effect.
"You'd have to think we would be no show if the youth team didn't measure up. Their results will be crucial to what happens further down the track," Keinzley said.
From a coaching perspective, early indications are that at least four could be needed with Keinzley being quick to rule himself out of contention for the head coach role.
"I think it is time for a rest, and there are plenty of people around who could do an excellent job."
A more immediate focus for Keinzley is Wairarapa United's Central League fixture against Western Suburbs in Wellington on Saturday. Wests lie third on the points table. They have 32 points, two more than Wairarapa United, and with three points up for grabs this weekend a win would see Wairarapa United overtake them.
The composition of the Wairarapa United starting line-up probably won't be finalised until the eleventh hour, with several players coming out of the 1-1 draw with Lower Hutt City last Saturday with niggling injuries, including their two impressive French recruits, Charles Mallman and Alssney Cissoko. However, Keinzley is "pretty sure" they will be on deck for a game which could provide plenty of scoring action as both sides are at their best when placing the emphasis on attack.
It does seem doubtful, though, that Mallman and Cissoko will be among the "senior" players considered for the Heartland Youth team. They are expected to head offshore in the summer months and then return to Wairarapa United in time for the start of the 2014 Central League season.