International exposure for teen soccer talent

By Nick Tolerton | 27th July 2009

At only 17, soccer player Andrew Barton of St Martins is enjoying a jet set lifestyle to match David Beckham.

For a month or two, anyway.

In the school holidays he was in Victoria, helping his school first 11 to an unbeaten record on a five-match tour.

Now he is in Northern Ireland, playing in the Milk Cup international youth tournament in Coleraine as a guest for the Otago youth team against some of the world’s best young players.

His team starts with matches against teams from former European champions Porto and leading Irish club Shamrock Rovers.

“Who we play after that will depend on results,” he said.

“I’m really thrilled to be going to this tournament. We’re playing some good teams.

“Manchester United is one of the teams there, and Macheda, who has since played in the premier league, played in it last year. Rooney and Beckham have in the past.”

Barton was one of two guest players grabbed by Otago to strengthen its squad for the trip.

He’s been a successful goalscorer for the Shirley Boys’ High first 11, which he captains. In the holidays he scored six goals when the team visited Melbourne, winning three matches and drawing two.

The team has lost only once this year.

He’s played for Mainland teams through the age groups, was in the New Zealand under-17 training squad last year, and has had two summers in Canterbury United’s youth team.

In Year 13 at Shirley, he hopes to get a soccer scholarship to the United States and to play professionally, and with many scouts assessing talent at the Ulster tournament, the trip can only help him.

Barton started soccer when he was five at the Technical club, and has always played as a striker.

The trip has cost him $6500, and he raised some of the money selling pinecones.