Australia NewsPhoenix Fans' First To Dig Deep |
IN AN A-League first, Wellington Phoenix’s official supporters group has raised money to fund a talented teenage player’s scholarship with the club.
Daniel Finlay, 17, has begun training with New Zealand’s only fully professional football team after winning a scholarship set up and funded by Phoenix supporters’ group Yellow Fever.Finlay said Yellow Fever had been an enormous help.
“Yellow Fever’s been awesome," he said. "They’ve laid everything on for me and my dad, from accommodation and flights through to providing us with a car to use while we’re here.”
Yellow Fever spokesman Guy Smith told the club's website that the inaugural scholarship was aimed at promoting football in New Zealand.
The group’s 4700-plus members voted on the most worthy recipient from five shortlisted candidates nationwide, with Finlay getting the call.
“We have a lot of young fans involved with Yellow Fever who are crazy Phoenix fans so it was chance to get them involved and also an opportunity to give something back to the football community.
"Our members got to pick the winner by voting on our website and ultimately it’s their money that’s paid for Daniel’s experience.”
Smith said Yellow Fever hoped to award the scholarship annually.
“We want to make it an annual event whereby we work in with the Phoenix to give young, promising and aspiring footballers the opportunity of a lifetime to experience being a professional for a week.”
The Waikato under-19 player described the opportunity as “fabulous”.
“It’s been fabulous, just crazy. I’ve had the chance to be a part of everything the team’s done and be around all the players.
“They’ve been great helping me out a lot by giving me pointers about what I need to do as a player in my position as a midfielder and in certain on-field situations. I’ve learned heaps,” he told the club’s website.
“I suffered an ankle injury the weekend before I was to join the Phoenix, but painkillers and strapping got me through and I was able to train with the team.
"Nothing was going to stop me from taking part.”
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