Waikato teen footballer chases US dream
A US footballing scholarship may open up a bright future for Waikato 19-year-old Andrew Clothier.
A 19-year-old Waikato resident is about to take a large step to fulfilling his dream of becoming a professional footballer.
Andrew Clothier, who was born and raised in Matamata, will join Massachusetts preparatory school Worcester Academy in August on a football scholarship.
After taking up the sport as an eight year old, from age 13 onwards Andrew has been a regular member of Waikato representative sides, including the Waikato secondary schools and Waikato FC under 19’s teams.
At the start of year 10 he transferred from Matamata College to St Peter’s Cambridge, going on to become an integral member of the school’s First XI through to year 13, where he would eventually meet Mike Groom, the coach of arch rival school St Paul’s, and the man who would be the driving force behind gaining the USA scholarship.
“Mike came forward and asked if I was looking to go on with football and looking to get a scholarship to America … I said I would like to progress on and he explained the process and said he would write me a recommendation.”
The attacking midfielder’s application gathered some star power when Groom was approached by Worcester Academy coach James Proctor, via 2010 All Whites world cup member Simon Elliot.
After not hearing back about his application for many weeks, Andrew resumed his plan to attend Waikato University this year, only to receive a phone call from mum Julie that quickly changed his plans.
“Halfway through the second week (at university) mum rang and told me a package had arrived, I came home and found out Worcester were willing to offer me a scholarship. It was like Christmas and my birthday had come at once!”
Now Andrew has the ideal opportunity to launch a career in football, while also gaining a top class education.
“I’ll be going in as a postgraduate, so pretty much like a second year 13, I go through a whole school year and then go through the draft process, and hopefully a university picks me up,”
While understandably nervous and sad to leave New Zealand, Andrew is excited about the opportunity which he and his family have worked so hard for.
“It’s mixed emotions, once I get over there I have no-one, the coach picks me up and then that’s the only person I have, but it will be exciting to meet all new people and see a whole new culture.”
