The inaugural FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Finals will take place here in New Zealand in eighteen months time, and over the course of the April school holidays, thirty-six of this country's leading contenders for the national U-17 team were in Auckland attending a two-week training camp. “It went really well”, said coach Paul Temple on the eve of its conclusion. “The attitude of the players is unbelievable. The intensity level hasn't dropped over the entire fortnight. They're so bright-eyed, and like sponges - they take in everything you tell them. They're a pretty talented age group”. Annalie Longo, who spent the first week of the camp in Papua New Guinea playing for the senior national team as they qualified for the Women's World Cup Finals, joined the squad in the second week, and her presence, according to Temple, “lifted the squad again. “From what I've seen here, and with my knowledge of youth football, we've potentially got five world-class players at this age level on our hands - that's special!” A couple of the squad members were greatly enthused by the fortnight. “It's been quite good, very good in fact, and very intense”, said Sam Muirhead, Soccersouth's lone representative at the camp. “And it's been fun, too - everyone's bonded well as a team”, declared the Dunedin-based midfielder, for whom the camp marked her first trip to Auckland. “It's been tough being away from home for all this time, but well worth it, as I've learnt a great deal”.

Sam Muirhead Amy Collins (left) and coach Paul Temple

Another of many who were greatly enthused by the camp was central defender Amy Collins. “It's been great!” exclaimed the Wellingtonian. “Awesome coaches and people, and a really good experience - quite a challenge, but I've learnt so much in two weeks”. The out-of-town contingent were billeted during their time in Auckland, something upon which Collins expanded. “The billeting idea was great. You got to know other team members, meet new people and, in my case, stay on a farm - a whole new experience in itself”. The first four days of the camp were devoted to developing players' confidence on the ball. “That's made a big difference”, declares Temple, who is “really excited” about the squad's prospects. “There's such a lot of potential here. If they do the right things in their own time, and act in the manner they have over the past fortnight … it's left me with a pleasant problem. “It's going to be hard to narrow this group down to twenty-six players, especially when you consider this is just a selection from the National ID programme, and doesn't even take into account late developers or those who missed out on selection through injury, etc..” The NZ U-17s will next be in camp for a week at the start of July, prior to taking part in the Australian National Youth Championships in Coffs Harbour.