Football dream in need of cash

FOOTBALL FUNDRAISER: Ashton Pett is trying to raise $7000 to make the New Zealand secondary school football tour of UK and Ireland in April.

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A promising west Auckland footballer is aiming to take part in the New Zealand secondary school tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

But before a ball is even kicked he needs help with funding.

Kelston Boys' High School student Ashton Pett is trying to raise $7000 before March 20 to make the tour.

It will be the first time a New Zealand side has played all the home nations.

Pett has so far has raised $800, mainly by selling chocolate bars.

He has approached a number of organisations and businesses in west Auckland but with little success.

An opportunity to play England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland would give the talented 17-year-old more exposure to top-flight football.

"I would like to know where I'm at with everyone else in the world," Pett says.

"I have never been to England and haven't played them either so it would be quite interesting."

Pett, a defender, represented New Zealand in the FIFA under-17 World Cup in Nigeria last year.

It was the first time a New Zealand international team advanced to the knock-out stages of a football World Cup.

He was praised by foreign media for his performances during the tournament.

Pett heard about the rave reviews only from friends and family when he returned home.

"I didn't think I was that good, so now it is about keeping my head on my shoulders and not getting a big head," he says.

The team faced tough football nations like Costa Rica, Turkey and the hosts Nigeria.

Pett says playing in front of large Nigerian crowds at the national stadium was amazing.

"Even just talking about it now gives me goosebumps," he says.

Pett hopes more international games will earn him a scholarship to an American university.

"But even a contract with a pro team wouldn't be that bad," he says.

Steve Cain coaches Pett at Kelston Boys.

He will be head coach on the tour and says Pett has done well during his short career.Cain says international matches attract scouts from clubs and universities.

He supports Pett's desire to get a university scholarship in the United States, seeing it as a smarter option for Kiwi players.

"You go through the American system, you have the best of both worlds with a degree, a profession and then if a football career happens, great," he says. "All Whites Ryan Nelson and Simon Elliott have shown that can happen."

- © Fairfax NZ News