MARCO ROJAS SIGNS 2 YEAR DEAL WITH WELLINGTON PHOENIX FC
23/07/2009
Former
Wynrs Hamilton and Waikato FC starlet Marco Rojas has
won the ultimate prize as a result of a scholarship
run by supporters of Wellington Phoenix FC, signing a
two-year deal to join the New Zealand-based club in
the Hyundai A-League.
Rojas, 17, won a Yellow Fever scholarship worth $5000 that allowed him to train with the Phoenix for a week.
The
Hamilton Wanderers midfielder so impressed
Phoenix officials following his first week with
the club that he was invited to return to the
capital for another trial period, culminating in
him travelling to Queenstown for the
Phoenix’s pre-season match against
Melbourne Victory last weekend.
Coming on in the second half against the Victory, Rojas immediately made an impact, helping set up Troy Hearfield’s 77th minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw at the Queenstown Events Centre. With Ricki Herbert watching in the stand, Rojas had proved he deserved a contract.
Phoenix chief executive Tony Pignata said club supporters’ group Yellow Fever deserved huge credit for bringing the talented youngster to the attention of the club.
“This year and last year Yellow Fever have had a programme where they go out and search for a ‘star of the future’ and we allowed the winner to be involved at the club for a week.
“This year’s Yellow Fever scholarship went to Marco. Unfortunately he was injured the week he was originally supposed to come but was able to join us when our All Whites went away to the Confederations Cup.
“Funnily enough, he probably came at the right time. He had more opportunities to play in trial games with the All Whites away and he did very well.”
Rojas had been under the watchful eyes of Phoenix assistant coaches Luciano Trani and Jonathan Gould while Herbert was in South Africa leading the All Whites. The Phoenix head coach got to know the youngster more on and off the pitch during the club’s visit to Queenstown.
“Victory were pretty much at full strength and when Marco came on he certainly didn’t look out of place,” Pignata said.
“We took a good, long look at him and with Ricki away it was great to have high-calibre staff in Luc and Gouldy monitoring things. They were very impressed with Marco’s energy and technical ability and gave their opinions to Ricki, who liked what he saw in Queenstown. That clinched it and we’re very happy to sign him as our mandatory third under-21 player.”
Given Rojas’ age and inexperience, the club would do everything in its power to help him on and off the pitch.
“He’s got a level head on his shoulders and his father, Rodi, will be coming down from Hamilton to live with him in Wellington. We’ll look after Marco in all facets of life here and we’ll also sit down with his parents to discuss his academic requirements.
“Marco’s in his final year of school at Fraser High in Hamilton and there is life after football, so we want to make sure Marco has all the opportunities possible in terms of a playing career and in life in general.”
Rojas – who featured in all but two of Waikato FC’s matches in the 2008/09 season – was still getting to grips with his rise to the Phoenix.
“It’s incredible. This is a dream come true and I can’t wait to get to Wellington. I’ve got a lot of people at Yellow Fever to thank for all of this.”
Marco was a member of the WYNRS Hamilton programme led by Peter Moxham and also came on international tours with the WYNRS academy before going on trial through WYNRS in 2008 to Germany. Everyone at WYNRS would like to congratulate Marco and wish him all the best in his debut season.
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Rojas, 17, won a Yellow Fever scholarship worth $5000 that allowed him to train with the Phoenix for a week.
The
Hamilton Wanderers midfielder so impressed
Phoenix officials following his first week with
the club that he was invited to return to the
capital for another trial period, culminating in
him travelling to Queenstown for the
Phoenix’s pre-season match against
Melbourne Victory last weekend.
Coming on in the second half against the Victory, Rojas immediately made an impact, helping set up Troy Hearfield’s 77th minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw at the Queenstown Events Centre. With Ricki Herbert watching in the stand, Rojas had proved he deserved a contract.
Phoenix chief executive Tony Pignata said club supporters’ group Yellow Fever deserved huge credit for bringing the talented youngster to the attention of the club.
“This year and last year Yellow Fever have had a programme where they go out and search for a ‘star of the future’ and we allowed the winner to be involved at the club for a week.
“This year’s Yellow Fever scholarship went to Marco. Unfortunately he was injured the week he was originally supposed to come but was able to join us when our All Whites went away to the Confederations Cup.
“Funnily enough, he probably came at the right time. He had more opportunities to play in trial games with the All Whites away and he did very well.”
Rojas had been under the watchful eyes of Phoenix assistant coaches Luciano Trani and Jonathan Gould while Herbert was in South Africa leading the All Whites. The Phoenix head coach got to know the youngster more on and off the pitch during the club’s visit to Queenstown.
“Victory were pretty much at full strength and when Marco came on he certainly didn’t look out of place,” Pignata said.
“We took a good, long look at him and with Ricki away it was great to have high-calibre staff in Luc and Gouldy monitoring things. They were very impressed with Marco’s energy and technical ability and gave their opinions to Ricki, who liked what he saw in Queenstown. That clinched it and we’re very happy to sign him as our mandatory third under-21 player.”
Given Rojas’ age and inexperience, the club would do everything in its power to help him on and off the pitch.
“He’s got a level head on his shoulders and his father, Rodi, will be coming down from Hamilton to live with him in Wellington. We’ll look after Marco in all facets of life here and we’ll also sit down with his parents to discuss his academic requirements.
“Marco’s in his final year of school at Fraser High in Hamilton and there is life after football, so we want to make sure Marco has all the opportunities possible in terms of a playing career and in life in general.”
Rojas – who featured in all but two of Waikato FC’s matches in the 2008/09 season – was still getting to grips with his rise to the Phoenix.
“It’s incredible. This is a dream come true and I can’t wait to get to Wellington. I’ve got a lot of people at Yellow Fever to thank for all of this.”
Marco was a member of the WYNRS Hamilton programme led by Peter Moxham and also came on international tours with the WYNRS academy before going on trial through WYNRS in 2008 to Germany. Everyone at WYNRS would like to congratulate Marco and wish him all the best in his debut season.
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