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Bream Bay College student Hayley Pirihi is playing her part in putting Northland football on the map thanks to New Zealand’s recent triumph at the Oceania U-15 Girls Development Tournament.
The 14-year-old footballer was the only Northlander selected to represent New Zealand in the Under-15 Girls Youth Development Team that travelled to Fiji for the international tournament last month.
The achievement comes as Hayley has also been selected to join Auckland FC’s Women’s Talent Development Centre, one of the highest level development pathways available to young female footballers in northern New Zealand.
Hosted in partnership with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the tournament brought together eight Pacific nations and is designed to give young up-and-coming female footballers their first taste of international competition.
Despite it being New Zealand’s first time fielding a team, the talented side, selected from across the country, won all of its fixtures, beating Samoa 12-0 in the final to take home the win.
For Hayley, who plays in midfield for a Northland FC U15 mixed squad, the opportunity was a dream come true.
“I put a lot of pressure on myself to get into the team, so when I found out I made the squad, I felt a rush of relief as well as happiness and joy. It was a really cool experience to see how other international teams play,” Hayley says.
Hayley’s mum, Lisa Pirihi, says she is very proud of her daughter, who has worked hard to achieve her footballing dreams.
“She is very focused, works really hard, and has been so dedicated to the sport for such a long time. It’s been awesome to see exciting things start to happen for her this year.”
Back in New Zealand after the tournament last month, Hayley says she is already benefiting from her involvement in the Auckland FC programme, where she goes to Auckland to train once a week.
“It’s been a super great environment to be in and train in. The coaching is really high quality, and all the players are amazing with great skill,” Hayley says.
“I have had an awesome experience so far, and I hope to keep improving in that space.”
The programme provides a high-performance pathway for players with aspirations to represent New Zealand at age-group level and beyond, and is the first of its kind in Auckland, giving talented players like Hayley a chance to hone their skills.
“It’s great that Auckland has a professional club that’s closer to the Northland region, and it’s exciting that there will be a new professional women’s team in New Zealand, which will provide a good pathway,” she says.
With her first international tournament under her belt, Hayley has her sights firmly set on a successful future in women’s football.
“I hope to keep making the NZ age-group teams and go to the Under-17 World Cup,” Hayley says.
“I definitely want to make my professional debut in the A-League in the future, but my main goals are to play in the Women’s Super League in England for a top club and play for the New Zealand Football Ferns.”
