4 sessions + game per week
A genuine full-time training week, not two nights and a game.
Wānaka FC presents
THE WĀNAKA
FOOTBALL PROGRAMME
Train like a pro - take your next step
Apply now: 5 minutesClosing: November 30
Only 8 positions available
The value
What you get
Weekly video analysis
Your football, on a screen, with a coach, every week.
Southern League football
New Zealand's top tier below the National League.
A pathway to the next level
Direct lines to National League clubs and overseas pathways.
Accommodation & work help
We line up housing options and employer introductions before you arrive.
Individual development plan
Written for you, reviewed with a coach every six weeks.
Discounted gym membership
Strength work is part of the programme, not an extra cost.
No football fees
Players moving to Wānaka for football, pay nothing to play.
Every game recorded
Full match footage, every week, yours to keep.
Home games live-streamed
Family and scouts watch from anywhere.
The honest bit
Straight up, what it costs
We're upfront because it matters: Wānaka is a resort town and it isn't cheap.
Football costs you nothing.
No fees, gym discounted, video and coaching all included.
Living costs roughly $400–$500 a week, all in, shared accommodation, food, and everything else. Most of our players work part-time and cover it. We aim to line up accommodation and introduce you to employers before you arrive.
Game-related travel does not cost you.
The club does not pay you any wages
The rhythm
Your week
| Day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Monday | Video analysis & field session |
| Tuesday | Field session |
| Wednesday | Day off |
| Thursday | Field session |
| Friday | Technical session |
| Saturday | Matchday |
| Sunday | Off. Lake in summer, mountains in winter. |
Times are indicative and will be confirmed against the 2027 schedule. Some away games require travelling home on Sunday. Gym is done in your own time.
Clear expectations
What we sort, and what's on you
What we do before you arrive
- Line up accommodation options, a room in a shared player house or a homestay, ready for you to take on.
- Introduce you to local employers and building firms, and get you in front of them for an interview.
- Point you at distance study options.
- Be your family away from home.
What's yours to carry
- The tenancy is in your name. We find the house and open the door; you sign the lease and pay the rent.
- The job is yours to win. You're employed by the business, not by the club.
- Your flights to Wānaka, your food, and your week-to-week costs.
We will do everything we can to have your accommodation ready before you land. We won't pretend it's a guarantee, but we don't stop working on it until you're sorted.
The right fit
Who we're looking for
Young New Zealand players, aged 18–22.
Ready to commit. Minutes beat bench time. If you're the eighteenth man somewhere bigger, you're on the wrong side of the whitewash.
Experienced New Zealand players.
Recruited to lead. If you've played at a higher level and want a season somewhere extraordinary with a group that will listen, this is it.
Four to six international players.
A working holiday visa works for most, or join us during a US college off-season.
Pairs.
Come with a mate. We actively recruit two at a time and you'll room together.
The lifestyle
Why Wānaka
Thirteen thousand people, a lake, and mountains on every horizon. A ski town in winter and a lake town in summer, with a football club at the middle of it.
The people behind it
The Coach
Head Coach: Valerio Raccuglia
Previously with Wellington Phoenix FC, the New Zealand U20 and U23 sides, Samoa U16 and U18 national teams, and Auckland City FC. Playing under Valerio means being coached by someone who has worked at the highest levels of football in New Zealand and the Pacific, and whose network can open doors to your next opportunity.
Wānaka FC
Founded in 2010. Over 500 junior members, two senior teams, and promotion to the Southern League in 2025. One of the most intensive training environments in New Zealand outside the fully professional game.
The measure of the programme
Where our players went next
The programme is judged on one thing: where you go next.
Blaine Mabie
Midfielder · 22
Moved to Sporting Kansas City
Phoenix Coursey
Midfielder · 20
Moved to Christchurch United
Louis Wickremesekera
Midfielder · 19
Moved to East Coast Bays
Edy Belingher
Attacker · 20
Moved to Cashmere Technical
Danny Heemskerk
Midfielder · 22
Moved to Cashmere TechnicalClass of Wānaka
Hear from the players
Three players on the training, the football, and what came next.
Blaine Mabie
Midfielder · 22 → Sporting Kansas City
“Often times I felt the training was harder than the games...”
Phoenix Coursey
Midfielder · 20 → Christchurch United
“The brand of football we play has been awesome...”
Louis Wickremesekera
Midfielder · 19 → East Coast Bays
“This is where I've improved the most...”
For families
For parents
- Your son will have a confirmed room, support from club staff, and regular check-ins.
- The coach will video-call you before anything is signed.
- Every home game is live-streamed, so you never miss a match.
- And it's eight months. He's home by September.
- There's a review in June. If it isn't working, we'll say so honestly and help him get home well.
Good questions
FAQ
Am I good enough?
If you've played National League youth, a strong 1st XI, federation talent programmes, or senior premier football, apply. We watch footage from everyone who applies.
Where will I live?
In a club-organised flat with teammates or with a vetted host family. We line the options up; the tenancy is in your name.
Can I work?
Yes, and most players do. Training is in the evenings, and we introduce you to employers whose shifts fit the schedule. You're employed directly by the business, not by the club.
Can I study?
Yes, distance study through Massey or Open Polytechnic fits the training week.
What does it actually cost me?
Football: nothing. Living: roughly $400–$500 a week all in. Most players cover that with part-time work.
I'm not from New Zealand: can I come?
Yes. We take four to six international players. A working holiday visa covers most people aged 18–30, and because the football is unpaid, US college eligibility stays intact.
Can I come with a mate?
Please do. We actively recruit pairs and you'll room together.
What happens at the end of August?
The programme is a 1–2 season development opportunity. Our goal is to help you progress to National League or overseas pathways. You leave with a full season of top-tier footage, a highlight reel, and introductions to clubs and pathways.
What if it isn't working?
There's an honest review in June. If it's not right, we help you transition out well rather than leaving you stranded for another three months.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Applications for the 2027 programme close 30 November 2026. There are 8 positions.
We will respond to every player who applies.
Questions first? Email info@wanakafootball.nz