Players announced for Phoenix school

The Wellington Phoenix have announced the first batch of players for its footballing school of excellence.

Eight young players have accepted invitations to take part in the programme.

They include New Zealand age group players Scott Basalaj and Luke Rowe.

Rowe is the oldest of the batch at 20-years-old.

Players selected for the Phoenix footballing school of excellence are:

SCOTT BASALAJ, 18: 2011 New Zealand U-17 World Cup goalkeeper emanating from Lower Hutt and St Pats Silverstream. Capable young keeper who has attracted interest from clubs in Europe.

LUKE ROWE, 20: Former Birmingham City youth player. Had a fine season with Team Wellington last year playing at left back.

ALEC SOLOMONS, 18: Centre back from East Coast Bays. Strong candidate for the 2013 Under 20's national team. Alec was also a part of the ASB Challenge team from 2010-11.

TOM DOYLE, 19: Left sided midfield player who was previously with Auckland City. Came to Wellington to study and play for Miramar.

JUSTIN GULLY, 19: Versatile midfield player who has come through the federation programme, alongside Stop Out. Joined Team Wellington in the summer and was a vital part of the team that reached the Grand Final.

TOM BISS, 19: Out of Hawkes Bay United and a product of their academy, Tom has matured into a midfield player with a good range of pass and ability to impact at both ends of the field. Tom has recently been playing in Perth's Premier State League.

LOUIS FENTON, 19: A local Boy from Tawa, more recently playing in the Victorian Premier League, Melbourne. Louis is becoming a dynamic and creative midfield player with an eye for goal as he displayed playing for Team Wellington in the ASB Premiership

TYLER BOYD, 17: The youngest player in this group, Tyler is an attacking player either wide or central. He spent last year plying his trade under the watchful eye of Declan Edge at Waikato in the ASB Premiership

Photo: Luke Rowe (Photosport)