Ep 22 Jeremy Christie - Former All White, Wellington Phoenix, Tampa Bay Rowdie and 2011 FIFA World Cup squad member. Now a Co-founder of FC Highland, a youth Soccer Club which runs skills programmes in Orlando, U.S.A

Talking to former All White Jeremy Christie was a really refreshing chat, hearing about his journey from Whangarei and around the world to settling in Orlando, USA for the time being.

He talks about growing up in Northland and playing soccer as a youngster, to moving to Auckland and into the football academy at Mount Albert Grammar school which was run by Rory Fallon, then, at the age of 16, traveling to England and signing with the Barnsley FC Academy with a couple of mates he’d played with in NZ age-group teams.

Jeremy shares how he returned home to be a part of the first New Zealand professional football team, the Football Kings. He went on to be the only player to represent all 3 NZ Pro football teams; Football Kings, Football Knights, and the @wellingtonPhoenix. He lets us in on what it took to be a part of the 2011 World Cup squad and what it was like to play at such a pinnacle event, being the highlight of his career if not his life.

When he finished playing soccer, he started working in the medical sales industry, where he had already made some contacts. But he felt that wasn’t fulfilling enough and he started coaching at a local high school and then found that’s what he really wanted to do. He started up Highland FC with the father of one of his players, who became his business partner and it’s grown from there. Highland FC have a partnership with Everton F.C to help further develop the youth on his program, not just on the field but off it as well.

This is a great listen from someone who committed himself to his passion and has been able to make a living out of it even after the playing days are finished.

Enjoy.