Olympic Head Coach Ricki Herbert is excited at the prospect of leading the New Zealand team into the 2004 Athens Olympics Qualifying Programme, kicking off at North Harbour Stadium on the 14^th January. Herbert remembers what it was at a similar age to represent his country. “I was fortunate enough to be selected to play for the Olympic Squad under then coach Allan Jones. My experience with a national squad at that age proved to be hugely beneficial in my international career from that point onwards.”

Herbert went on to a long and illustrious career in the game, playing for New Zealand on 84 occasions, including all 3 group matches at the 1982 World Cup in Spain.

His current role is that of Director of Technical Development and as such is charged with all men’s national teams from U23 and younger. Consequently, Herbert takes a holistic approach to the nurturing of players on the NZS international pathway. “Our primary focus is qualification for Athens but this squad also has a ‘future development’ role to play. It is an opportunity for players to develop as individual players, on and off the park, and to be exposed to international experiences and situations that will stand them in good stead in the future. It is clearly also a key step as we plan for the 2006 All Whites World Cup programme.”

The current squad already has 7 players that have tasted international football with the senior national team, with a large number being blooded on last years one-off match in Iran for the Asia/OFC Challenge Cup.

Herbert goes on to describe the U23 Olympic squad as a transition type situation as players progress from being identified as quality ‘junior’ players to coping and excelling as senior international players. “If an 18-year-old is identified in the NZS development programme as being All White material, they must be given an opportunity to perform and learn in this environment, with a longer term view to 2004 WC qualification/Nations Cup matches.”