ACADEMY DUO ESTABLISHES SCHOLARSHIP AGREEMENTS
Alby Kelly-Heald, the goalkeeper, and Matt Sheridan, the fullback, are the most recent graduates of the Wellington Phoenix academy.
Kelly-Heald, 18, and Sheridan, 19, have committed to the Phoenix on scholarship arrangements as they begin their careers as professionals.
These are the fifth and sixth players from the academy that head coach Giancarlo Italiano has elevated this season, making 11 players out of the current 21-man roster having gone through the club’s system.
Italiano stated that it was in line with the club’s long-term goal of striving to develop its own players.
“I think most clubs should be doing the same thing because it’s good and positive.”
It also facilitates the development of group cohesion. Finding that synergy is difficult when you’re adding players every year and changing things around, so it does help when the younger players have all played together.
“However, since making the jump to the A-League is a significant step, they still need to put in a lot of effort and dedication.”
Kelly-Heald, who has excelled in his rookie season thus far, is bound to the team for the same amount of time as his twin brother Lukas, who signed through until the end of the 2026–2027 Isuzu UTE A-League.
“It’s fantastic that my sibling and I can develop as athletes at the same team,” Alby Kelly-Heald remarked. “My family finds it really satisfying to watch both of us succeed.
It’s encouraging that the Phoenix can see that we can become excellent football players, earn regular starting positions, and have a future here.
After playing football for Island Bay United in their junior years, the twins attended North Wellington for a season before enrolling in the Phoenix programme, where they have been regulars for the reserves since
My local team is the Phoenix, and I’ve always wanted to play for the team.
“It’s fantastic that I can play for my local team and follow in the footsteps of my idols, Mark Paston, who I idolised growing up.”
In the men’s first team lineup, he shares a goalkeeping position with Alex Paulsen and Jack Duncan.
“I know my position on the team and I’m at ease with where I am.
“This season, I’m going to keep pushing AP and Duncs to try and get the best out of everyone.”
“And in the upcoming years, I’m going to keep working to get better and compete for that top spot.”
Matt Sheridan joined the academy in 2019 with the goal of becoming a professional football player, and he has signed with the Phoenix through the end of the 2024–25 season.
Sheridan stated, “Obviously, I’m pretty stoked.” When I first arrived at the academy, a professional contract seemed so far off, but that was the objective.
“It is very satisfying for me to be able to grow my career here and to be able to make my family proud and give back to them.”
Originating from Canterbury, he participated in junior football with Halswell United and Selwyn United, teams that also included Finn Surman, the centre defender for Nix.
“Selwyn is an amazing club with a fantastic atmosphere that has greatly aided in my development.”
