All Whites player Ivan Vicelich is taken on by 4-year-old Noel Barwick-Prasad during a ball skills session in Papatoetoe yesterday. Photo / Sarah Ivey
Soccer pitches in South Africa and on Great Barrier Island have little in common but a bold showing on one stage led to support on the other.
Among the first round of grants announced yesterday by the New Zealand Football Foundation was assistance to the Kamo Football Club in Whangarei which enabled their team to travel to the Hauraki Gulf island to play a tournament.
The foundation, put in place by New Zealand Football to ensure funds earned by the All Whites at last year's World Cup would provide support for the game across all levels, is determined the money will be spent wisely.
The fund was set up with $4 million of the Fifa World Cup hand-out being invested. Of the interest earned, $100,000 has been allocated to 30 successful applicants.
More than 200 applications were received with the largest grant, of $37,550, being shared among the 280 youngsters who attended New Zealand Football's National Talent Centre.
"That centre was in fact three based in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and held during the recent school holidays," said foundation chairman Andrew Clements. "Each participant was given $130 in recognition of their effort in reaching the required standard.
"That money went towards the costs associated with their attendance at the five-day course where they worked under top players and coaches."
Another grant has been made to a cluster of South Auckland clubs who will use the money to buy the goalposts needed for small-sided games where they play four games on a normal-sized pitch.
Ivan Vicelich, the All Whites' most capped player, was on hand at the Papatoetoe Club for yesterday's announcement.
As one of the team who played in South Africa, Vicelich welcomed the initiative.
"There can be no more satisfying legacy for our achievement in South Africa than seeing the next generation team follow in our footsteps and hopefully go even further," said Vicelich, just two days after returning from the Solomon Islands where he led Auckland City to their first round O-League victory.
Clements said the fund has grown to $4.2 million and he is hopeful further sponsors will be attracted. The next allocations will be announced in April.
By Terry Maddaford
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