SOCCER - Young striker named in national squad

Playing with and against men, who are a lot stronger than I am, the game is faster and everything has a higher intensity.15-year-old Murray WoottenIf you follow Northland football you will have heard of Murray Wootten, but chances are you won't know he is a big fan of electronic mail.
Wootten is one of the more promising young strikers in the country and was recently selected in the national under-15 squad but almost missed the news after moving house two months ago.
His family moved from Tikipunga to Ruatangata and shortly afterwards Wootten was told by his old neighbours, that they had a letter for him.
Not expecting anything special, the 15-year-old Kamo High School student didn't get round to picking up the letter until Monday - and was astounded to find out that he had been selected in the New Zealand squad and that he would be required for training next week in Cambridge.
Wootten said it was a big shock to realise he'd almost blown the opportunity to join the squad.
The squad will train every school holiday during the season with the possibility of a trip abroad at the end of the season.
"There were scouts at last year's national tournament in Napier and they must have picked me then," Wootten said.
No selection is ever assured but Wootten, by virtue of being the golden boot winner for the U14 and U13 national tournaments for the past two years, always had a good shot at being picked.
Despite his tender age, he has been making his presence felt for North Force over the past two seasons in the reserve team.
The 15-year-old has a maturity on the ball that is beyond his years and he is likely to see more game time for the first team as the season wears on.
He has been on the bench for the team, under Dean Wheatley, and has had made two appearances for the side this season while resuming his scoring knack for the reserves.
The young striker is enjoying the challenge of playing senior football.
"It gives me a mean challenge to play with and against men who are a lot stronger than I am, the game is faster and everything has a higher intensity," he said.
North Force play away at Albany United this weekend, and will attempt to maintain their second place on the league table at the very least.
Albany are only one win from three, so far in the competition, but at home they will be a tough team to beat.
In the Northland premier grade matches frontrunners Kamo face a big test when Kerikeri visit, while the other unbeaten side, Onerahi travel to Tikipunga.
FC Whangarei host Kaikohe, while Madhatters play Central Brown at William Fraser Park.