© 2025 Christchurch United Football Club
Residential Programme
Christchurch United Football Club & Tovo Academy are seeking Oceania's best and brightest high school aged footballers for an all year residential programme.
WELCOME TO THE RESIDENCY
WHAT DO WE OFFER?
Read our brochure for all the details
- Our facilities are the best in the country, with more artificial turfs and courts than any other club in New Zealand.
- We provide top level expertise in our coaching staff, who are on the ground to support you in becoming the best footballer you can be.
- We provide some of the best links to professional setups, with access to the breadth of the English football pyramid, the US college system, Tovo Academy in Barcelona and the Wellington Phoenix among other professional teams.
- Our full-time Residency Manager lives on-site to assist with player welfare, injury prevention, and nutrition advice.
- Live the life of a full-time professional footballer with morning sessions, nutrition plans, expert coaches, and playing in top academy teams, alongside the Tovo Academy Barcelona methology
- We record all trainings all the time, through an app. This means you have access to develop your game at the touch of a button.
- Continue your academic education through two great educational partners - Saint Thomas of Canterbury College and/or Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery - The Football Institute.
Read our brochure for all the details
GROUP EXCURSIONS
As part of our team-building experiences of the residency program we will be planning special Discovery Excursion Days, which allow our residents to explore and enjoy Christchurch and the Canterbury region together. These fun events may include a day trip to Christchurch Adventure Park (ziplining), a visit to Hanmer Springs (mountain biking and hot springs), a trip up to Akaroa (whale watching), a beach day Sumner Beach (surfing), a team-building day Birdling’s Flat (agate and gem-stone hunting) or simply exploring and tramping Arthur’s Pass or one of the many other great locations in the region.
As part of our team-building experiences of the residency program we will be planning special Discovery Excursion Days, which allow our residents to explore and enjoy Christchurch and the Canterbury region together. These fun events may include a day trip to Christchurch Adventure Park (ziplining), a visit to Hanmer Springs (mountain biking and hot springs), a trip up to Akaroa (whale watching), a beach day Sumner Beach (surfing), a team-building day Birdling’s Flat (agate and gem-stone hunting) or simply exploring and tramping Arthur’s Pass or one of the many other great locations in the region.
Our players' stories
"The top tier facilities on offer aided me to get to where I am today"
"I went from a small town to Pro in 3 years"
"If you want to to help develop your football this is the place to be"
Our methodology
Rethinking Talent Development Together with TOVO Academy Barcelona which is regarded the best holistic program in Europe for players aiming to excel in football and beyond.
Our Residency Team
- Paul HolocherHead of Academy & Methodologies
- Jakub HosnedlResidency Manager
- Travis GrahamAssistant Residency Manager
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What part of the year will I be at the residency?
We want our players to be at the Residency from the middle of January until the middle of December. This allows for a few weeks to settle in before the school year starting, and also for any late school exams which run into mid-December. If a student has completed all of their football competitions and school exams before that time, a request to return home would be accepted, of course.
What are you looking for in student football players?
We are looking for top talents across in the high school age groups from throughout New Zealand and Oceania (ages 13-18). Christchurch United FC is an ambitious club that is committed to excellence in developing and promoting talent - not only to our own first team, but to university and professional clubs around the world.
What does the admissions process look like?
After expressing your interest, our coaches will be in contact to set up a face-to-face or online meeting with yourself and your parents to learn more about you and to share more about the residency programme.
As this is a programme for ambitious students/athletes, assessments will be made to learn more about the candidate’s academic (transcripts) and footballing profile (through video and in-person) to ensure that the required character, qualities and motivations are present.
Following this process, a decision will be made to progress, or not progress, with the application.
As this is a programme for ambitious students/athletes, assessments will be made to learn more about the candidate’s academic (transcripts) and footballing profile (through video and in-person) to ensure that the required character, qualities and motivations are present.
Following this process, a decision will be made to progress, or not progress, with the application.
What happens after the admissions process?
After you have expressed your interest in the residency and have been selected, we will supply you with all the information you and your family will need ahead of living in the residency.
This will include meetings with both our Head of Academy and Residency Manager to ensure a smooth transition into the Residency and to answer any further questions.
This will include meetings with both our Head of Academy and Residency Manager to ensure a smooth transition into the Residency and to answer any further questions.
What is Ao Tawhiti – Unlimited Discovery – The Football Institute like?
The Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery – The Football Institute is an innovative programme designed for the motivated student/athlete with a passion for both learning and football, in years 10-13.
This special character school is designed for motivated students/athletes who enjoy a dynamic ‘learn by doing’ approach and includes a curriculum with a wide variety of interest (English, Math) along with specialized course around Football, Sports, Business and High Performance.
A hybrid approach includes three days per week of studies at the United Sports Centre and two days a week at Ao Tawhiti - Unlimited Discovery downtown campus
Along with the innovative, flexible, and dynamic academic curriculum a comprehensive player development programme with specialized morning football trainings at the United Sports Centre (individual, small-group and position-specific) is included.
This special character school is designed for motivated students/athletes who enjoy a dynamic ‘learn by doing’ approach and includes a curriculum with a wide variety of interest (English, Math) along with specialized course around Football, Sports, Business and High Performance.
A hybrid approach includes three days per week of studies at the United Sports Centre and two days a week at Ao Tawhiti - Unlimited Discovery downtown campus
Along with the innovative, flexible, and dynamic academic curriculum a comprehensive player development programme with specialized morning football trainings at the United Sports Centre (individual, small-group and position-specific) is included.
What is St Thomas of Canterbury College like?
St Thomas of Canterbury College is a top high school in the area and has a strong reputation regarding its sports teams.
We encourage parents to take a look at the St Thomas of Canterbury College website to ensure they are comfortable with the school.
Players will be taken to and from school each day by the Residency Manager. All food and travel for the players is included in the price.
If there is an issue with St Thomas' that parents feel is insurmountable, we may be able to help find another school for the player for the duration of their stay.
We encourage parents to take a look at the St Thomas of Canterbury College website to ensure they are comfortable with the school.
Players will be taken to and from school each day by the Residency Manager. All food and travel for the players is included in the price.
If there is an issue with St Thomas' that parents feel is insurmountable, we may be able to help find another school for the player for the duration of their stay.
What is the minimum age of acceptance?
High school age. This is usually 13-18 years old.
Does the residency offer scholarships?
This will be assessed on a case by case basis. There will be a number of factors influencing this decision, such as the family's financial situation, the distance from the player's family, and the talent of the player. Any decision made regarding scholarships by CUFC staff is final.
What if I get injured while staying at the Residency?
Depending on the seriousness and length of the injury, we should be able to treat and rehabilitate the injured player. This will be assessed case by case and there may be some instances where it would not make sense for the player to be rehabilitated at The Residency. In which case they would be allowed to return home for their rehabilitation.