English Premier League giants club Tottenham Hotspur are teaming up with Wellington's Scots College by launching an Elite Player Development Programme in New Zealand.
The five-year deal will see Tottenham's development coaches work closely with a select group of male and female football players, and spend 12 weeks in New Zealand from 2022. The first year of the partnership will be done remotely due to coronavirus.
Scots College have turned out some of New Zealand's brightest prospects who are currently based overseas including Sarpreet Singh (Bayern Munich, Germany) and Joe Bell (Viking FK), while others are currently in the US on scholarships.
"We are delighted to deliver our first-ever player development programme in New Zealand, working in partnership with Scots College," says Tottenham's head of global training Andy Rogers.
"Our international model has proven successful in the US, Asia and Australia in developing young players through authentic Tottenham Hotspur coaching.
"We look forward to working closely with young players from the College and local coaches, helping to drive standards of player development in the region."
New Zealand has a small connection with the north London-based club as former All Whites captain Ryan Nelson played five games for the club, while current Football Ferns international Ria Percival currently plays for the women's team.
Percival, who has been capped over 150 times for New Zealand, will engage with players on the programme, providing inspiration and advice.
"It's great to hear the club are partnering with a school in New Zealand and our incredible coaches will be working with and helping to develop male and female players from my home country," she says.
Tottenham's men side are currently top of the Premier League after nine games, but their women's side has had a rough start with three draws and four losses in their first seven games.
