A Whakatāne High School football player has his sights set on making the New Zealand secondary schools football team.

Sam Littlejohn has been named in the North Island squad to play a series of matches against their South Island and New Zealand Māori counterparts in January 2025, as part of a trial for the New Zealand Secondary Schools team.

If he performs well, there's a strong chance the 17-year-old will be included in the New Zealand side to face Australia in April 2025.

"I really want to be part of that New Zealand team,” Same said. “Making the North side is the first step towards, hopefully, representing New Zealand."

A couple of his friends were identified for the team, and they pushed him to give it a crack.

"It's pretty cool seeing your name in there when the rest of the players are from Auckland and Hamilton. I was pretty happy and had gone to two trials over that time. I made the first side and then hoped to make the North Island side so I could be part of these games."

He plays in Tauranga for two teams, Tauranga City at under-17 level, playing against teams from Auckland and Waikato,  and he's the youngest player in the Papamoa first XI men's football team, which plays in the Northern Region Football League.

It means with two teams and other training he is travelling 800-kilometres week.

"It was some long journeys, but they have all been worth it. I wanted some better competition for my football and that was just something I couldn't get here in the Eastern Bay."

Sam, who plays left wing back, even managed to fit in a few games for the Whakatāne High School side when time and draws allowed.

The move to Tauranga for his football has seen him mix it with some talented footballers, lifting his game to a new level.

"I have loved playing against the men. The stuff with Tauranga City was probably quicker but the football with Papamoa was definitely a lot more physical and has really helped my game.

"I am stronger now and feel I can be a bit more of a nuisance to players on defence.

"I love the position. I have played it the past couple of years. I am left footed, and I get to attack and defend."

He's not new to the tournament having represented the New Zealand Māori under-16 team last year.

Having had a top season with both teams, Sam is looking forward to the next challenge.

One opportunity if he makes the next round of trials is to travel to the United States. If part of this trip, he plans to put his best foot forward in being accepted to a college there.

He's pleased to see Auckland FC come into the A-League because it increases pathways in New Zealand and hasn't ruled out an opportunity like that if it arose.

Sam started out playing rugby and football before choosing the round ball code in high school.

"I used to go rugby in the morning, football in the afternoon and then again on Sunday. That was until I decided on football."

Ashley Cole, and Marcelo and Roberto Carlos are his favourite left backs, while his favourite more flashier players included Anton Griezmann and Paul Pogba.

Playing both attacking and defensive roles is something he's loved.

His grandad, Dick Littlejohn, was a rugby stalwart and helped the game take off in Whakatāne.

There's still plenty of football coming up to keep Littlejohn busy ahead of January.