Both 13, Dan Heiler and Alfie Rios Le Brun will move to Wellington in the new year after trialling and being picked for the exclusive academy.
They follow in the footsteps of fellow former club member Harper Norman who made the same move in January this year.
Coach Ben Wisby says the pair are a product of the Wānaka Football Club’s own academy programme, which offers year-round opportunities.
The club’s youth squad trains five days a week, as well as two morning gym sessions, as they progress towards the 2026 season, and ultimately, their football goals.
Alfie was 5 when he started playing football, and says his goal is to play for his favourite team, Real Madrid.
"The ultimate dream is to play for Real Madrid in Spain. I have supported them since I was young so they are the dream team for me."
The young attacker cannot recall the number of goals he has scored this season or he is too modest to say when asked.
He did not feel he had played his best football while at the Phoenix trials, so the selection came as a nice surprise.
"I played all right, but I wasn’t my best and I think it was just because of my nerves. I felt like I didn’t perform that well."
He was excited to move to Wellington, but it would be a giant change from his home life in Wānaka, he said.
While it was his mother who encouraged him to play football, he shared his father’s football skills, he said.
"Mum encouraged him, and I started to grow into it and love the game.
Dan started playing football at 4 and has been playing as a centre mid. His favourite player is Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool, who he one day hopes to play for.
"I thought the trial was really fun and tried my best."
He was shocked when he heard the news last week about the academy.
"It had been such a while since the trial."
"I am excited but also I am a bit nervous."
The boys plan to go to the same school in Wellington and have already had a look around the capital.
They each said Phoenix captain Alex Rufer was their favourite Kiwi footballer.
But when it comes to international players, Alfie is much like the rest of the fans.
"I love Ronaldo’s mentality but Messi’s school is unbeatable."
Wānaka FC is the third-largest football club in Otago, and has over 500 junior members and 50 senior members.
This time last year, the men’s team were promoted to the National League, which is the highest level in New Zealand.
