Knights Confirm Apprentice Scheme And Finalise Squ
The NZ Knights Football Club have began training in earnest ahead of an August start to the inaugural Hyundai A-League and today confirmed the final two players in the squad of 20 but also unveiled what is thought to be a unique Apprenticeship Scheme through the Charlton Knights Youth Academy.
The NZ Knights Football Club have began training in earnest ahead of an August start to the inaugural Hyundai A-League and today confirmed the final two players in the squad of 20 but also unveiled what is thought to be a unique Apprenticeship Scheme through the Charlton Knights Youth Academy. Manager John Adshead unveiled the final two players that will make up his squad of 20, they being Englishman Ronnie Bull and former Brisbane Strikers striker Joshua Rose (pictured right).
Adshead is also thrilled at the addition of the three promising youngsters through the Apprenticeship Scheme.
“We have made it clear from day one that our focus in the first few years in the Hyundai A-League must be on results and our player selection will reflect that.
“Mid to long term however we are equally committed to providing a pathway for young New Zealand players to the professional game. In time I have no doubt that our best young talent will find their way through to our squad in greater numbers.
“Today-s announcement of an Apprenticeship Scheme in association with the Charlton Knights Youth Academy is a key to that pathway. The three players (soon to be four) we have named today all have the ability and potential to one day play professional football and through this scheme will, to all intents and purposes, be professional players, albeit outside our initial squad of 20 players.”
The three players named, with one to be added, are:
Jeremy Christie 22 year old who recently made his debut for the All Whites in London. A NZ U17 captain and professional with Barnsley FC and the Kingz.
Sam Jasper 19 year old midfielder who has represented NZ at U15, U16, U17 and U20. Sam hails originally from Auckland-s North Shore.
Kris Bright 18 year old striker with national honours at U16, U17 and U20. Has packed enormous experience in his career already with a Bluebird Chatham Cup Final appearance. Northern Premier League leading scorer in 2004.
Adshead was keen to point out that Christie is something of an exception in the first year of the Apprenticeship Scheme.
“Without wanting to cast aspersions on the other players, Jeremy is clearly not in the teenage apprentice category. He is though a player that we believe has a future with our club and one that I would have no hesitation in calling in to the squad full time in the event of injury. By way of the Charlton Knights Academies, this is in effect an investment in a 21st player.”
Knights Chairman Anthony Lee says the apprenticeship Scheme is further proof of the strong links to Charlton, having just returned from signing the contract with the Premiership club.
“Our reception in Charlton was a warm one indeed and the interest from local media strong. Charlton once again stressed their commitment to the Knights and in particular assisting with our academy programme. In future our apprentices will come directly from our academy, but year one of course is a little unique in that regard. These players have the opportunity to live as fulltime professionals, courtesy of the Charlton Knights Academy, while still taking an active part in their local club, including matches in the NZFC.”
While the players will be employed by the Knights through the Academy, they will be registered to play with an NZFC club and be released each week to participate in matches.
SQUAD FINALISED The Knights also announced the final two players to the squad of 20 allowable under Hyundai A-League rules, with Adshead clearly pleased to put the final pieces of the jigsaw together.
“We can confirm today the signing of Ronnie Bull and Joshua Rose to our squad, meaning our recruitment programme is complete and our training programme begins in earnest. Both bring the characteristics we are looking for in our team, strong personalities, a desire to win and of course a technical ability to complement others in the squad.”
Ronnie Bull 24 year old English professional. Bull is a left fullback who signed pro terms as an 18 year old with Millwall and has more recently been with Grimbsy Town in English League Two.
Joshua Rose 23 year old Australian professional. Rose is a left sided midfielder who can also play up front. Rose has 3 years (52 matches) experience in the Australian National League with Brisbane Strikers, scoring 8 goals in that time. Rose currently leads the Queensland State League scoring charts with 14 goals in 12 games with Pine Rivers United.