Soccer: All Whites get training break for hands-on fun

All Whites player Shane Smeltz is given a lesson in striking by young fan Myah Coates of Glenfield yesterday. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Not everything runs smoothly, but in the end, the All Whites did their best.

There was an underwhelming turnout of fans for a hastily arranged meet-and-greet with the World Cup bound soccer players at North Harbour Stadium last night.

Among the first there was five-year-old Myah Coates of Glenfield.

Myah's mum, Janine, said her daughter heard she could meet the team from her brother and insisted on attending even though she didn't really know what the fuss was all about.

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert had cancelled last night's training session after a rigorous few days, but his Australasian-based players signed autographs and had a kickabout with the kids including wee Myah.

"She's just starting to play the game," Janine Coates said, music to New Zealand Football's ears as they look to attract more kids to soccer via the All Whites' World Cup campaign.

Earlier in the day, the All Whites training camp squad - some of whom are fighting for the last remaining World Cup places - attended a father and son breakfast at St Kentigern School in Remuera.

St Kentigern principal Geoff Burgess singled out Herbert for his role in guiding the team to South Africa, 28 years after being an integral part of the team which made history by qualifying for the finals in Spain.

"I'm sure that the dads in the audience realise they are in the presence of a legend," Burgess told the school.

"[You] will never forget the time that you shared breakfast with the All Whites on the eve of their going to the World Cup in South Africa."

Herbert told the students, aged five to 13, that "core values" were central to his team, and praised his father Clive for the encouragement he had given his career.

The national squad plays the NZFC All Stars at Albany on Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, a Fifa dictate has barred players from writing newspaper columns or blogs during the World Cup, which starts next month.

One All White has approached the Herald about a blog.

A NZF media representative said players might be allowed to use Facebook or Twitter websites but rules could apply.

Those sites offered players legitimate and now common ways of keeping in touch with family and friends, he said.

There have been controversies, including minor ones involving the All Blacks, stemming from player postings on social network sites.

ASK RYAN

Email your questions for All Whites' captain Ryan Nelsen. We'll put the best questions to him for the Herald's World Cup Special.

askryan@nzherald.co.nz