CONFIRMATION that Wanderers' scouting network is now truly global came today with news that three New Zealand schoolboys are to be given trials at the Reebok.
Academy director Chris Sulley spotted the trio - one 14, one 15, one 16 - on a recent fact-finding mission and plans to put them through their paces next March.
"New FIFA regulations governing Under 18s could cause us a problem," Sulley admitted, "but two of the boys were born in England so that might make it easier for us."
Wanderers are determined to create a successful production line with their academy and, although their priority is to recruit locally, they are not blind to the talent available on the continent and further afield.
"We've been to Finland and Australia," Sulley confirmed, "and the New Zealand situation is interesting. The general standard is poor but these three stood out - one in each age group. They look like they have something to offer but the proof will be when they come over here and play at our level with the intensity of the training, the professionalism and the way of life.
"We are pushing very hard to get local boys into the academy but, if we don't get the quality in the numbers we need, we could consider topping up with youngsters from abroad and New Zealand is just one avenue we are exploring."
New Zealand are the poor relation of Australia in the Oceania region but are anxious to see the best of their young talent develop to give them a shout of World Cup qualification in the future. They have only one professional club and traditionally the only outlet for their best youngsters has been Australia.
"There are actually more kids playing football - soccer as they call it - than rugby," Sulley points out, "but what tends to happen is that, as they grow up, the bigger kids gets get pushed towards rugby.
"Hopefully we can change that.
"We're trying to build a relationship with New Zealand Soccer that will be beneficial to both parties."
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