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In Demand: All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen - Source: Photosport -
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The All Whites are living their dream in South Africa, inspiring many young footballers in New Zealand to try and turn their dreams into reality too.
While it is a tough road to the top of the game for young players going one up has taken on a whole new meaning for first XI players at Mount Albert Grammar.
The All Whites' success has motivated many young players at Mount Albert Grammar to pursue a career in football.
"I guess it makes me believe that anything's possible," says Matt Rowland, a first XI player at Mount Albert Grammar School.
Nikko Boxall, another player from the Auckland school, is impressed at the All Whites' determination and performance at the Fifa World Cup.
"They definitely help to boost a New Zealand boy like me," says Boxall.
"Ryan Nelsen is solid at the back, he is a good team leader.
"I am definitely inspired... I want to make the same path that Ryan Nelsen has made and a lot of other New Zealand footballers and try to go to America."
Despite the recent step-up in the identification of talented young players in New Zealand, those working with them say a more co-ordinated approach is needed nation-wide.
"The bottom line is players need to play more and we need to have better coaches coaching them, more specialised coaches, says Simon Richards, Eastern Suburbs Youth Coach.
Former All Whites' assistant coach Kevin Fallon now runs his own academy for hand picked players, while a few large clubs like Eastern Suburbs employ fulltime youth coaches, sending the same message as Richards to serious players.
"There's no one recognised pathway where they say get onto that and you'll have success, it's a bit fragmented," says Fallon.
"It's a time factor. If you're a ballet dancer you dance so many hours a week, if you're a pianist you play so many hours a week. Football's just the same."
