Football: Rising star wins place at top academy

Nando Pijnaker is now training at the renowned Ole Football Academy.

Promising talent Nando Pijnaker, who turned 16 yesterday, moved down on Waitangi Day to take up his place at Porirua-Wellington's Ole Football Academy, after a trial in early February.

The Western Heights High School student was spotted by Ole coaches while representing the national age group under-15 team in December.

Speaking to the Rotorua Daily Post on his son's birthday, father Rene said Nando was "fulfilling his dream" by training at the prestigious academy.

Ole describes itself as "New Zealand's leader in youth football development" - but even with such an opportunity, Pijnaker said it had been a big decision for his son to move away from home.

"We talked about the pros and cons. I said to him, 'you know life is going to change, you have to leave your friends behind'. But he's already made new friends in Wellington, and he's got the attitude - he wants to work hard."

He did admit it would be strange not having Nando around the house.

"It is a new chapter, and my wife and I will have to get used to it - it will take some time."

The academy has an impressive track record of training players that have gone on to play for professional clubs in Europe and the US.

Previous graduates include the Tauranga-born striker Boyd, who recently signed with Portuguese club Vittoria SC after three seasons with Wellington Phoenix.

And another Ole old boy, 20-year-old Ryan Thomas, made football headlines last April when he scored two goals in Dutch side PEC Zwolle's surprise cup final win over favourites Ajax.

Nando was three years-old when he moved with his family from Holland to New Zealand, and coaches were quick to recognise his talent on the field.

After impressing for a string of clubs in different age groups, the midfielder was selected for the Ngongotaha AFC senior side when he was just 15.

His biggest game for Ngongotaha came last season in the fourth round of the Chatham Cup, where the team lost narrowly 2-1 to Melville United, a side who sit two leagues above them. He had also been the first Year 9 to run out for the Western Heights High School 1st XI.

As well as offering accommodation, Ole Football Academy has arrangements with nearby schools so the academic education of its young players is not neglected.

And Pijnaker insists that Nando will have to work as hard in the classroom as he does on the training ground.

"We've told him that if he mucks around at school, he has to come back," he said.

But he was quick to praise his son's approach to the game.

"He's humble in his way - he says that he just tries to do the best he can. You can see his development, and he takes on board what people say."

Pijnaker said his son was an Arsenal supporter and dreamt of playing football in Europe one day - but for now, the focus was on making the most of the great opportunity at Ole.

"I told Nando, if you're in the boat you've got the opportunity - now you have to work hard," he said.

"You can't do more than your best."

Judging by his progress so far, it will be worth keeping track of Nando to see just how good that can be.